There is a kind of positive energy associated with Carnival and particularly with the steelband movement. Players survive on less sleep and exhibit discipline and high levels of productivity in order to learn their Panorama tune.
This is something we need to understand about Carnival, pan and panyards and their social impact. I see several positives in the approach by the ordinary panman and panwoman, and, this year, the number of youngsters who populate the bands.
Photo: Exodus Steelband perform at Panorama.(Copyright TDC via Discovertnt.com)
A few years ago, Pan Trinbago introduced preliminary judging at the panyards. This has morphed into busloads of supporters riding privately contracted maxi taxis from one panyard to the next, following the judges and attempting to maximise their experience of how each band is approaching their tune of choice.
Hundreds of people move from panyard to panyard on these judging nights and there is an atmosphere of happiness and peace.
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