If the Window for PAN on the ROAD is close as stated by a WST MEMBER. Is he saying that in a few years from now Steelband Institutions like EXODUS.INVADERS.DESPERS.STARLIFT.ALL STARS.PHASE 11,FONCLAIRE. ETC. ETC. Will not be on the road on Carnival days. The music will comprise of only DJ music. I do not see that happening in this generation or anytime soon.
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Steelband Music on the road is an integral part of T & T Carnival and the powers that be should see to it that this continues on both Carnival Monday and Tuesday.Please note that Massy Trinidad All Stars won band of the year in 2014 and 2015 and this should encourage the other Steelbands to emulate All Stars and bring out very good mas bands so that we can dress nicely and enjoy both days of carnival. Pan Trinbago, the ball is in your court to advocate for this.
Nice discussion guys.WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY.However the steelband administrators only have the will to eat ah food .They don't care of a way forward for pan.Remember the pool on the greens at panorama time,while bands are performing.DJ"S blasting away while a band on stage.etc,The challenges for the pan to be on the road for carnival is humongous.Having the pans on trucks don't have the same effects as being on stands.To be on the road all day bands will have to be equipped with some sort of repertoire that's suitable for the road,as it was in the 60's and early 70's.These are some of the challenges and it can be done.In Brooklyn the jouvert is for steelbands only.No sound systems allowed because it will be confiscated by the police.Why can't it be done in the land of steelband is really mindboggling.
Nice post Stanley!!!
Cecil, a day for steelband on the road was recommended years ago,where judging points were suggested,with judging for individual costumes like king and queen of steelband mas on that carnival day (Monday was suggested) and it was felt that steelbands will be inspired to start something which would have grown. It fell on deaf ears but it still needs to be encouraged. As for the young people.....they will lime in the pubs and clubs on the avenue or wherever and wait for their Tuesday big truck band. They go to the North stand panorama lime and 99% of them can't tell you what a band played or even who was the last band on stage.
I've said it before CREATE A CARNIVAL DAY FOR THE STEELBAND, where they set their own tempo not having to compete with anyone. The problem arises when we try to mix wine and jam with chip, what the steelband brings is totally different. If there is only steelband on the road what do you think the young people will do? fall-in like everybody because they are just out to enjoy themselves. Pretty soon people will start asking what's the purpose of a large steelband, is it to perform 8 mins. of music for panorama, is that good enough reason?
True talk , Cecil. If the pan is really the national instrument , and the Carnival the nation's signature festival , then they belong together.
I'd even settle for Carnival Monday (which is mostly dead) as a Steelband (only) Carnival Day
Unless we have forward thinking Pan leaders and administrators to bring Pan into 2016, I say all hope is dying fast and the windows are closing in on us. We are losing our young to the fast moving times where everything is at rapid pace. Pan is no exception! Can Pan compete with these rapid times? Yes! But our Pan leaders have to change their way of thinking.
earl richard, no Trini should be proud to say the window for pan on the road is close, as long as there are people and pan there is hope.