Five-time Panorama champion, Phase II Pan Groove, must vacate its Hamilton Street home before year's end in order to make way for the completion of the One Woodbrook Place Project.
Port of Spain Mayor, Louis Lee Sing, advised the band's manager, Errol Skerritt, of the decision in a meeting last week Thursday, a release from Phase II stated yesterday. Phase II has called Hamilton Street in Woodbrook home for over 30 years.
...."I advised them that the time for relocation is long overdue. It is not a question of eviction. The decision was based on all that has transpired to date. This issue is many years old, long before many believed I would have become mayor," Lee Sing said.
You need to be a member of When Steel Talks to add comments!
Replies
Steelband is a Trinidad cultural, world recognised musical experience and yet a band who has been resident for 30 years must now face the agonising, humiliating spectacle of eviction.
I appeal to Phase II supporters to come out in their numbers today, as requested by Boogsie, to show support. Also this cannot be a one day protest. Let's join with the band members and stand up to Lee Sing, like the Chinese gentleman who stood in front of a tank. It is time the supporters/public count for something i.e if you love steelband.
For the past 30 years Phase II have occupy a little hole away from the Development of C L Financial massive complex. The project have been finished 2 years ago Phase II are not in their way. (CAL Invaders was facing this same problems after occupying their yard for over 40 years - they are building their Pan Theatre soon)
Mayor Lee Sing is the BIG BAD wolf who never have any respect for PAN but want to continue with his PNM corrupt practices to please his BIG SHOT friends.
In any case, if supporters love something, then they would go where they have to go to get it. Last Sunday we had a pan relay at Laventille and as much crime as they say happens in Laventille, there were no walking space at despers for it was filled to capacity.
I hope Phase II make the right decision. . . . .whatever that is....!
Peace!
Andre-Roger Dellevi has it right.
The government is supposed to look after the interests of the cultural fabric of a country, and its people, not the wealthy few who rule the country, like the financial group who has wanted "De Village" where Phase ii is at for their project for several years now. the band is an important part of the cultural landscape of the national instrument. it is an icon, just like the other "big bands" and carries a lot of local history. The panyard should have been protected by the government many moons ago as a historical landmark,
That panyard should have been placed in a national trust, just so too should be Renegades panyard, and All Stars pan yard, (that is if those bands don't own their land). And if they are privately owned, the government should have moved to declare those historical landmarks, by purchasing where necessary, and placing them in trust.
Where does this end? Because if even by chance Renegades and All Stars do own their land, they can still be seized under "eminent domain" to make way for "progress" by those wealthy conglomerates in Trinidad who crush anything as an obstacle in their paths. So - for those of us who are still 'tribal' and 'hate' on Phase 2, but adore Renegades, or All Stars, etc. or vice versa - Do we wait until they come for "we band panyard" to take a stand? Because if Phase 2 is forced out, bet your bottom dollar that Renegades and All Stars and others ain't far behind. because getting rid of Phase 2 would have been precedent-setting.
There are a lot of people who hate Phase II, and hate other bands and vice versa, that inter-band crap that goes on for years - the normal nonsense about band tribalism - but this is about the steelpan history and culture, and if everyone cannot develop some common sense and see the bigger picture, it will all fall down. That "house of steelpan culture and history" cannot stand if it is a divided house.
Remember Invaders, the place that is home to the genius of ellie mannette? They almost got rid of them as well, because their panyard is located in a place where the real estate is prime. And they almost lost it too. But the government stepped in after there was a lot protest. Mannette himself now being an international figure, was from as well so that embarrassment took place with people from outside Trinidad and Tobago weighing in. The government was embarrassed into taking care of the issue, and then the land was deeded to Invaders.
But this time is more ominous. I dont get the sense that this particular government administration can be embarrassed into anything related to steelpan.
Cash however is king all over the world, so unless there is a "national movement" in protest, this looks bad for Phase 2, and a few other iconic pan yards as well.
i hear ya! i understand what you are saying, however, they were given a place to house their band donkey years ago. i understand that they are a cultural icon but it doesn't make a difference when you are squatting. im not saying that i agree with mr lee singh that they should be kicked out but i believe that right is right and it's not as if they has nowhere to go. there are many bands who practice under tents, or in back yards and they make it to finals.
Why does it always have to be unbalanced? Certain bands gets away with murder while others struggle to make a name for themselves. Im not hating on Phase II but simple things are always swept aside eg. the required amount of players that were requested for panorama finals in 2009, which saw Phase II having to drop almost 80 players on the track because they thought that they were above the law. Why?
@ syncopators
I wouldn't involve politics into Phase II's situation. . .especially after the present minister of culture made a statement saying that panorama is killing steelpan...Whether it be PNM or PP or whoever is there, it would have been the same. I read in the newsday today that the PP supports Phase II. As far as im concerned, everything with the politicians right about now has nothing to do with helping the country.
Everything is now a political game to secure favor. It's a reality that i have come to terms with. Maybe you should too. :-)
Peace!
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next