SteelFesTT 2012 (the Steelpan Festival of Trinidad and Tobago) inaugurates what is intended to become a biennial instrument-based festival dedicated to the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. The festival will be launched in 2012 during the momentous 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations. The launch will also commemorate 75 years of development of the instrument since the Alexander Ragtime Band introduced convex-shaped sweet-oil pans, dustbin covers and biscuit pans to festivities on the streets of Port of Spain.
SteelFesTT aims to secure our cultural heritage by establishing Trinidad and Tobago as a unique, global focal point for the steelpan - by providing an annual international forum, world stage and global marketplace for the instrument, in the land of its birth.
The aim of Steelfest 2012 is to encourage self-sufficiency in the pan movement, especially among the communities which have nurtured the instrument for decades. The inaugural festival will be held from 4th – 13th May in honour of the late Dr. Pat Bishop, in recognition of her lifelong dedication to mainstreaming the national instrument and fostering a commitment to excellence among its practitioners.
The Festival theme is “Steelpan – Uniting the Sounds of the World” and the format will include a concert series, international conference, street parade and a festival village. A variety of steelpan-centered activities will complement the main features of the Festival.
v The concert series will highlight the instrument’s versatility and contribution to world music by presenting a fusion of the music of our leading steelbands with the music of indigenous instruments from Brazil, India, China and Cuba featuring top performers from those countries.
v The street parade will be motorized and will feature a float competition. The private sector will be invited to sponsor floats to house bands for the parade around the historic Queen’s Park Savannah. Bands from thirty-seven countries around the world will be invited to participate.
v The festival village will be the global marketplace for pan. Steelbands and stakeholders (tuners, arrangers, tutors and institutions) will be given the opportunity to have booths/displays. Twenty-seven foreign steelband associations will be invited to participate (tentative for next year).
v The theme of the international conference is “Pan Globalization: Progress and Possibilities”
The team of professionals commissioned by PanTrinbago to execute SteelFesTT 2012 will ensure adherence to the highest standards of ethics, transparency, accountability and professionalism.
The team comprises:
Mrs. Maureen Manchouck, President of NIHERST (Chairman), Mr. David Dedier, Management Consultant (Coordinator), Mr. Brian Awang, CEO EXIMBANK , Mr. Peter Aleong, Businessman , Mr. Keith Diaz, President, PanTrinbago and Mr. Bryon Serrette, Vice-President , PanTrinbago.
Replies
This is a magnificent idea for the future - I would like PanTrinbago to develop a proven product PANORAMA for the benefit of panman and woman to be transparent. Where are the revenues disburse from gate receipts, cd's & dvd's, per-per-view, vending, media rights, etc.make these revenues PUBLIC..........
Great Idea, did you guys check with Point Fortin, Borough Day is usually very early in May, hope this does not clash
The concept of the Festival ensures that there is no "clash", but rather a variety of Pan activities and attractions, spread over a ten day period.
Are you confirming then, that Pan on the Move, the height of the Pt. Fortin Borough Day festivities, is one of the of the planned activities of Steelfest 2012
No Tony. The Borough Day Festibvities are not part of the planned activities of SteelFesTT 2012. When the vision for SteelFesTT is realised, visitors from all over the world will be attracted to a purely instrument-based(Pan) festival with a variety of related attractions. If the Pan activities of Borough Day fall within the period of SteelFesTT, then visitors will have yet another (and quite unique) Pan event to attend. Not only will this enrich visitor experience, but it should also bring additional benefit to Point.
OK that view makes a lot of sense
That answer seem to imply that no thought was given to the Point Fortin Festivities held around that time, in the planning of this festival. It is not inclusive, but an after thought now that the question was posed...:) Pan Trinbago on the move...
Yes it was considered. SteelFesTT, an instrument-based festival cannot "include" Borough Day as this is a well established event which comprises a lot more than Pan. However, the Pan activities that are a part of Borough Day would benefit from increased patronage when SteelFesTT begins to attract foreign participants and visitors. The month of May was chosen for the launch of SteelFesTT since it is sufficiently distant from Carnival without getting into the heart of the rainy season.
Wonderful! period. please keep me posted. www.bostoncarnivalvillage.com
Boston Carnival Village