Trinidad Express
Newly-appointed Desperadoes manager Curtis Edwards said yesterday the East Port of Spain Development Corporation is assisting the celebrated steelband with construction of a ramp at its Upper Laventille Road (Laventille Shrine) base for practise sessions for Panorama 2016.
The ramp, which is part of its restructuring exercise, will be ready by October.
Edwards also said contrary to prevailing views its sponsor, Champs Fleurs-based West Indian Tobacco Company Limited (Witco) has not severed its ties with them. Witco has partnered with Desperadoes for 50 years. Led by arranger Robert Greenidge, Desperadoes placed eighth in the 2015 Panorama championships with its rendition of veteran soca artiste Superblue's “Pan Hooray”.
Edwards succeeded manager Dr Finbar Fletcher on June 9.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Edwards said: “People said we left because of crime on the hill. That is not so. We had outgrown the space. We function at Upper Laventille Road. We are in the process of constructing an overhead ramp. It should be finished by the end of October. The East Port of Spain Development Corporation is helping us. The foundation is already laid down. We are in the process of modifying the racks. We will be able to go back home. Since 2007, we started the season in Port of Spain. It was costing us less for transport. But for 2016, we will start on the hill. We will be putting systems in place for security.” —Michelle Loubon
Edwards added: “We were around the Queen's Park Savannah practising. We only had the spot for one year. It was a temporary arrangement. From Cadiz Road to Belmont Circular, there is no vacancy. That is how the whole idea of the ramp came about. There is a lot of construction and development going on there.”
Edwards said Desperadoes remains deeply committed to the youth with its outreach programme in the area's primary schools-St Barbs' Government, Rose Hill RC Government and Our Lady of Fatima.
Replies
Charlo did say, you have good leadership qualities and he must be smiling right now.
Hope we will see the Big Road Band for 2016..
I am happy to learn that the band will be returning to the Hills for Carnival 2016. I am a fan of All Stars but do enjoy and love the music of Desperadoes, especially as a band from behind the bridge. One of my greatest regrets was that Desperadoes did not qualify or get selected to compete in the first ever International Panorama. I think we can expect great things to resume with this move back to the Hills.
Congratulations this is very good news and i think Mr. Edwards will do a very good job thanks to the outgoing Manager
Excellent idea.Desperadoes is Laventille.Laventille is Desperadoes.You cannot separate the two.They belong to each other.
The Hills are alive with the sound of music, Congratulations,
That's a Great Idea. We have Struggled for Much to Long in the Middle of the Pack when We were Once Leaders of the Pack. Its about Time that We regain Our Steelband Supremacy and rule the Roost again. Its going to be a Hard and Slippery Climb back to the Top. but we are Gonna Rise AGAIN. The Hill is where We were in our Glory Days, so Returning to the Hill Will be a Good Thing for us. Only the Strongest and the Bravest Lives on the Hill. God Bless!
My band is coming back home....hoorayyyyyyy
Good move Curtis
Glad to know Despers are going back home.