GARY CARDINEZ Saturday, January 23 2016
THE theme for this year’s Panorama rang through last Wednesday evening as hundreds of pan music lovers took the annual pilgrimage from steel orchestra to steel orchestra for the judges’ visit in the Large Conventional division.
The excitement came from the fans while the excellence came in the form of beautiful music from the players.
It was an amazing sight on Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain where Desperadoes awaited the judges’ arrival.
With cars parked on both sides of the street, traffic stretched up to Park Street in the north.
Anxiety was at a peak as the players were eager to show off their skills to the new arranger in their new home on the ground of the former Greyfriars Church.
After the national anthem was played by two members of the Caine family, Desperadoes got down to business of playing Carlton “Zanda” Alexander’s arrangement of 5 Star Akil’s “Different Me”.
Replies
Great idea Patrick but with the present inflation and high transport cost it will not be feasible. For years parking in any venue be it the panyards or event venues has always been a problem and will continue to be a problem because there are over 900,000 vehicles on the roads with a population of 1.3 million in a small island. Do the math! Port of Spain and San Fernando is somewhat like Brooklyn,NY(dense population). where it takes forever to fine a park around Labor Day weekend.
patrick idea is great but the cost may be a factor in an already diminishing govt $$ release
however it will get worse every year with traffic and frustration
we like it so
petrick, this is how prelims was back in the day,I guess there is good reason for the change, there is a huge cost to move a steelband, to me it look like people enjoyed moving around
The reporter said "hundreds" but it sounded like thousands when he described the gridlock (human and traffic).
Cecil, yuh getting what yuh wanted boy -- A WICKED PANORAMA!
Why not make use of the North Stand and Grand stand for these preliminaries. These stands remain empty for the most part during the week. Collect some revenue, charge $20.00 a person. Instead we have people walking and driving from band to band. Almost everyone who drive their vehicle not sure where to park. Serious risk to bandits, no security.Restrooms are also not available for this activity. Trinis living in south, east and Tobago are also fans of these North bands and cannot afford to do likewise. They may not be familiar with the logistics in getting around, like the 'town people'. Here is where we can do better.