Pan tour for 15 US cities

[Pan Times]

YVONNE WEBB -Newsday

The decision of the Cousoumeh Caravan to marry the potency of the steelpan with its rich heritage, in a musical form where the players become the actors, and the music they bring forth, becomes the message, is reaping large dividends for the Siparia-based group.

The story of the pan, told through the amazing instrument, dance, drama and spoken word, so impressed the people of Chicago during the Cousoumeh Caravan’s riveting tour in August, that it has evolved into a proposed 15-city, US tour for the group in 2018.

Akinola Sennon executive director of the Deltones Institute of Steel Drums and Music (DISDAM), of which Cousoumeh is a project, confirmed the request for the caravan to continue the journey of The Life of Drum, Story of Steel, in collaboration with the Chicago’s Culture Arts and Music Organization, (CAM), and the decision to accept the offer.

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[sherman allison fyfe]

Congratulations Cousoumeh. Great opportunity 2 tell our story.

[Claude Gonzales]

The GLOBAL DEMAND for PANS far outstrips the production capacity in TRINIDAD and TOBAGO. Ironically, me and KEITH DIAZ have a very similar solution to this problem. But I don't think that our politicians are mature enough (independence wise) to travel that course. And it could only be done by the PNM GOVERNMENT because if any other party tries to do it the people will scream RACISM.

[Lawford Dupres]

Great initiative to help brand T&T as the home and birthplace of pan. Many youngsters playing the instrument today in North America and Europe have no idea where or how their instruments were first developed. Instead of handing out just money for top Panorama finalists, perhaps more effort should be directed at assisting worthy bands in touring places where they could make an impact and generate opportunities for export of finished instruments, tuners, teachers etc.