Well, for years I reading on this FORUM that the young people are not interested in the PAN and that is why PAN DYING in THE MECCA and and how unless we teach them to PUSH PAN ON THE ROAD like in the SIXTIES the WHOLE THING GO DEAD.
Much to my surprise (well, not really to my surprise) THE RIGHT HONOURABLE KEITH DIAZ announced that 78 PER CENT of all the PAN PLAYERS in this PANORAMA were YOUNG PEOPLE. And he was boasting about how proud he was about this accomplishment (like TRUMP, he was talking personal credit for the 78 PER CENT) and he was ready to start making plans for PANORAMA 2019 as early as MARCH of this year.
Even though I do not have the PAN PASSION that is shared on this forum, it does not take much looking to see that PAN has its own ENERGY and it continues to EXPAND GLOBALLY (thanks to the THOUSANDS of EXPATS who sacrificed so much of their life supporting and promoting and taking the instrument from continent to continent and all the schools around the world that adopted the instrument) and without a doubt the INSTRUMENT is stronger today in THE MECCA than it ever was. And getting STRONGER.
Just look at all the COVERAGE and CONVERSATION surrounding this PANORAMA and the many PLATFORMS buzzing with STEELBAND EXCITEMENT. Which makes me think about a cry that GLENROY JOSEPH has put down many times over the years: Why compress all this PROMOTION and PASSION and LOVE and CARE for the ART FORM during just 6 WEEKS OF THE YEAR? There must be ways to expand the interest across the other 46 WEEKS.
Right now I can only think of ONE MAN who could successfully tackle this EXPANSION of EXPRESSION and INTEREST of PAN IN THE MECCA and this is my new friend: RUSSELL PROVIDENCE. I sincerely believe that if THREE MEN LIKE RUSSELL PROVIDENCE sat down with DOCTOR DOLLY and COLIN LUCAS and mapped out a BIGGER PICTURE PLAN FOR PAN -- the SKY could be the LIMIT.
And the shade of the conversation on this forum could change from constant cries of disappointment and frustration to PRIDE and JOY and THE FULFILLMENT of lifetime dreams seeing PAN in THE MECCA on THE HIGH ROAD!!!
Replies
So allyuh telling me that I did not spend years on this forum reading about the RABID OPPOSITION to PAN ON TRUCKS. Or the constant calls for PAN BACK ON THE ROAD for carnival just like in the sixties with people pushing.
If allyuh update allyuh files and ideas then come and say so and I will FLUSH what was advocated for before and ride on the new bandwagon with allyuh!!!
Glenroy: Speaking of computers and the early SEVENTIES!!! Because DISK STORAGE was so EXPENSIVE at the time the concept of NATIONAL DATABASES seemed like an impossibility. Around the late NINETIES when I started to gain access to databases that covered almost half the country I was still in a state of doubt. And still shake my head at that single advancement even today because I never thought then that I would live to see it.
Okay!!! Everybody agreed!!! No more PUSHING PAN ON THE ROAD -- STRICTLY on TRUCKS for carnival!!!
I have been and continue to be an advocate for a greater involvement of the steelband in the carnival parade , apart from the panorama.
Somehow , some insist as seeing this as an advocacy of a return to the past , including pushing pans on the streets like we died a half century ago.
This is the 21st century.
Even if the steelbands had never left the streets , surely the native ingenuity of pan people would have devised a more efficient way of steelband mobility ?
Mobile platforms or floats as mentioned by Russell Providence seems to be an idea with promise.
In 1972 I started working with computers in the US Army.
Those computers and peripherals occupied an entire wall.
My new Ipod has more computing power than those computers.
This is the 21st century.
Can we stop with the dumb , inane arguments about pushing pans like we did 50 years ago , , and start thinking about innovative practical ideas so that we can preserve the sound , beauty and power of the mobile steelband ?
Please ?
We have the be careful in the 21 century because electronics is in everything, we even have ah electronic pan. Anytime a steelband introduce a sound system it all over, you open yourself to all the electronic pan substitute. The Pan has to remain authentic.
I agree wholeheartedly with the spirit of the subject of this discussion, as the fact is, large "Floats" that are mechanically towed, with the capacity to accommodate an entire band on the road have superseded "pan pushers". Times have changed and technological advancements has made it possible to eliminate the requirement to manually move steelbands along parade routes. I hold the view that any consideration given to bringing back pan pushers is a step backward, as it may be more acceptable to utilize available mechanized inventions in any attempt at making pan on the road for carnival more popular. Additionally, if consideration is given to suitable amplification of steelbands transported on these mechanically towed trailers, that may very well do the trick. by attracting a larger audience.
Should the NCC, and NOT PAN TRINBAGO consider the introduction of financial incentives, or underwriting or reimbursing the cost of this service to steel bands as the motivating factor to bring back pan on the road for carnival? Maybe! Just a thought
Russell: You have some kinda commanding voice or OBEAH or what. As soon as you say PAN ON TRUCKS everybody start agreeing with you!!!
Even the ENGLISH LADY tell meh: When she go to TRINIDAD FOR CARNIVAL she want to meet RUSSELL!!!
It's only Claude that talk about "pushing pans" on the road, and it is done to sensationalize whatever point he is trying to make. What people don't want to deal with is what the steelband brings to the table is different, it's a different vibe, and it's NOT wine down, jam-up. Chip Chip Chip. Don't try to integrate the steelband into the Mardi Gras.
PLAY!!!!
Claude, I respect, admire and appreciate your constant call to advance the steel orchestral art form in T&T and globally. Realizing this goal will require a serious strategic planning process involving a variety of individuals and organizations who could make a significant contribution based on their range of knowledge, skills and experiences. The assumption is that such individuals exist in T&T and abroad. A more thoughtful strategic approach is called for at this time. Embracing such an approach would generate broad enthusiasm and enhance positive attitudes to the steel orchestral art form.
Who is best positioned to initiate and manage such a strategic planning process? Perhaps it is or could be the role responsibility of Pantrinbago, or a combination of similar representative organizations and individuals with special relevant expertise (such as academic institutions, eg, UWI). Project funding for this planning exercise could be requested from the appropriate T&T government department(s) in addition to financial contributions through private partnerships. I respectfully advocate a broader more substantial approach in order to realize significant gains in advancing the expansion and effectiveness of the steel orchestral industry particularly in T&T. I am confident in our collective ability to successfully undertake and manage a strategic planning approach that would transform the steel orchestral industry into a powerful force for good in T&T and globally.