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NYU Steel Drum Ensemble Concert Splendor

Posted by Pan Times on April 22, 2010 at 9:01am

New York, USA -  Great steelpan music is not uncommon to New York. Some of the best steel orchestras in America call the town of Brooklyn, New York home.  But across the river on the island of Manhattan - the New York University (NYU), under the umbrella of the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development - has shown a serious commitment to the steelpan instrument and music for the genre.

....The NYU Steel Drum Ensemble, under the direction of Josh R. Quillen took the stage of NYU’s Frederick Loewe Theatre located in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village, and delivered a fascinating potpourri of music for the steel orchestra.
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Clarke: Pan in Trinidad is at a standstill

Posted by Pan Times on April 22, 2010 at 8:57am
Clarke shares some of his experiences of his journey through the years with the steelpan art form at home and abroad. Additionally, he articulates his own viewpoints as to what he perceives as a stagnation regarding the instrument in the country of its birth, while people in countries around the world appear keen to learn more about this unique instrument.
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South Africa comes to Brooklyn

Posted by Pan Times on April 22, 2010 at 8:55am

The Philippa Schuyler Steelpan Ensemble meets St Stithians Boys’ Prep Marimba Band of South Africa Philippa Schuyler steelpan musician with St Stithians marimba band member

New York, USA - History was made this April 12 as South Africa’s St Stithians College Marimba Band traveled over 7,000 miles, performing at the prestigious Philippa Schuyler Middle School for the Gifted and Talented located in Brooklyn, New York. The occasion was a joint concert with the Philippa Schuyler Major Steelpan Ensemble.

The two-week tour labeled “2010 USA Tour,” would take the St Stithians College Marimba Band all-male group made up of twenty-four youth, through Washington DC, Boston and New York before they headed back to their home of Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Pan in the 21st Century

Posted by Pan Times on March 7, 2010 at 12:41pm

Pan Down Memory Lane and Pan in the 21st Century 2010 Steelband Competitions

Global - All Single Pan Bands and Conventional Steel Orchestras participating in Pan Trinbago’s Pan Down Memory Lane and Pan in the 21st Century competitions are reminded that registration closes on Friday March 12, 2010 at 4:00 pm.

Qualifying round for Single Pan Bands will commence on Thursday March 25 for Tobago Bands, on Friday March 26 for bands in the Northern region, on Saturday March 27 for those in the South/Central region and on Sunday March 28, for those in the Eastern region.  These Preliminaries will be held at the various panyards or suitable venue within the band’s communities.

Competing bands must play a non calypso tune (not from the 21st Century) in calypso tempo of not more than six (6) minutes duration.  

Qualifying round for Conventional Steel Orchestras will commence on Monday March 29 in Tobago, on Tuesday March 30 for bands in the East, on Wednesday March 31 for bands in the Northern Region and ending on April 01st for South/Central bands.

Bands of not more than 50 and less than 30 performing members in this category must play tunes selected from the 21st Century world beat repertoire from 2000 onward.

At the end of the National Preliminaries, twelve (12) bands from each category will be selected to go forward to the Finals in order of merit based on points awarded during the qualifying round.

The date, time and venue will be announced at a later date.

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From the newsdesk Pan Trinbago
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Silver Stars Steel Orchestra set to open for Beyonce

Posted by Pan Times on February 18, 2010 at 6:59am
According to Executive VP of Mobile Services TSTT, 2010 Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama Champions Silver Stars Steel Orchestra will open for Beyonce this evening at performance in Trinidad.  They will perform the Trinidad and Tobago national anthem and their wining panorama composition.

Another unidentified medium steel orchestra will also be on-sight
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january news

Posted by When Steel Talks on January 11, 2010 at 3:23pm

Destra Garcia as you have never heard her before
 - her love for the SteelPan instrument, the passion & pain behind her songwriting

desgar.jpgGlobal - Destra Garcia of Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most successful and popular SOCA music artists in the world. Like Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Mary J and others, Destra has cultivated and maintained a special bond with her adoring young fans who make up a large percentage of her following.  In addition to her steady stream of music hits known throughout the Caribbean and abroad, Destra is a major and regular contributor to the steelband music as a songwriter of tunes that have been routinely adapted for the steel orchestra.

In an exclusive, no-holds-barred interview with When Steel Talks (WST), Soca Diva, songstress and steelband music songwriter Destra Garcia expounds on her special relationship and love affair with the steelpan instrument, the music and culture.
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Great Steelpan Music Events

Posted by Pan Times on December 3, 2009 at 3:57pm

Great Steelpan Events:  
Dec. 4, 2009
  • Calvary Cathedral of Praise presents ‘Total Praise’ - Steel Orchestra and Choral Concert featuring Calvary Steel Orchestra, CrossFire Steel Orchestra and Women In Steel.  Time: 7:30 p.m.  Venue: 45 East 8th Street, Brooklyn, New York, USA.  Info: 1 (718) 435-2731; 1 (347) 262-5746; 1 (718) 629-2471.
     
  • Silver Stars USA is looking for Pan Players; find out more, and drop by and enjoy the sweet Pan Lime on Fridays with Silver Stars dropping two music sets for the evening at the same time! D.J TeeRex is also in the house.  Time: 9:00–3:00 a.m.  Address: 1612 N.W. 38th Ave., (East of 441, on the N.E. corner), Lauderhill, Florida, USA.  Info: Kenty: 1 (954) 295-3966; Lloyd: 1 (954) 825-6630. 
     
  • The Indiana State University Steel Band and Percussion Ensemble perform.  Time: 7:30 p.m.  Venue: Room 159, Center for Performing and Fine Arts, Indiana State University, Corner North 7th & Chestnut Streets, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA.
     
Dec. 5, 2009
  • BT Melodians Steel Orchestra holds an Annual Award Concert.  Time: 8:00 p.m.  Venue: Nettlefold Hall, 1 Norwood High Street, SE27 9JX London, UNITED KINGDOM.
     
  • The Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival Committee participates in the St. Petersburg 82nd Annual Santa Parade on a Float with the New Generation Steel Orchestra.  Parade time: 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.  Venue/route: Downtown St. Petersburg along the waterfront, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.
     
  • Silver Stars Steel Orchestra presents Parang & Steel.  Time: 7:30 p.m. Venue: Silver Stars panyard, 56 Tragarete Road, Newtown, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, W.I.
     
Dec. 6, 2009
  • Pan Rising Show 2009 presents ‘The Meeting of the Minds’ featuring The Nu Edition Band, Roots Steel Band, Babu Samuel and Lacu Samuel, with more surprises.  Time: 6:30 p.m.  Venue: The Palms Restaurant, Fort Road, St. John’s, ANTIGUA, WI.  Info
     
  • CSM (College of San Mateo) Panhandlers Steel Drum Band appears in concert with panist Ray Holman.  Contra Costa Children’s Chorus and the Nueva School Steel Drum Band also perform. Time:  2:00 p.m.  Venue:  College of San Mateo Theatre, 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo, California, USA.
     
  • Caribbean Jazz with the Engine Room Collective features Carlene Etienne, Kyron Akal and more.  5:00–9:00 p.m.  Venue: The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W11 2AY, ENGLAND.
     
  • HighLite Vibes Steel Combo
  • performs at Saint Stephen’s Annual Christmas Concert.  Time: 3:00 p.m. Venue: Stephen’s Episcopal, 89-26 168th Street, Jamaica, New York, USA.
     
Dec. 11, 2009
  • Silver Stars USA is looking for Pan Players; find out more, and drop by and enjoy the sweet Pan Lime on Fridays with Silver Stars dropping two music sets for the evening at the same time! D.J TeeRex is also in the house.  Time: 9:00–3:00 a.m.  Address: 1612 N.W. 38th Ave., (East of 441, on the N.E. corner), Lauderhill, Florida, USA.  Info: Kenty: 1 (954) 295-3966; Lloyd: 1 (954) 825-6630.  - Ongoing every Friday until further notice.
     
Dec. 10-12, 2009
  • The Lydian Singers and Lydian Steel present Handel's Messiah.   Time: 8:00 p.m.  Venue: Queen’s Hall, 1–3 St. Ann’s Road, St. Ann’s, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, W.I.
     
Dec. 12, 2009
  • CASYM presents their Annual Christmas Show.  Time: 7:00–10:00 p.m.  Venue:  Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
     
  • St. Veronica’s Youth Steel Orchestra presents its 10th Anniversary Steelband Concert.  Time: 7:00 p.m.  Venue: St. Anthony Hall, 4410 Frankford Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.  Info: 1 (410) 292-6814; 1 (410) 319-6095.
     

  • Silver Stars Steel Orchestra presents Parang & Steel.  Time: 7:30 p.m. Venue: Silver Stars panyard, 56 Tragarete Road, Newtown, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, W.I.
     
  • Caribbean Holiday Pan Concert will feature several youth steelbands.  Time: 4:00–6:00 p.m.  Venue:  First United Methodist Church (Sanctuary), 6201 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, Maryland, USA. 
     
Dec. 13, 2009
  • The Lydian Singers and Lydian Steel present Handel's Messiah.   Time: 6:00 p.m.  Venue: Queen’s Hall, 1–3 St. Ann’s Road, St. Ann’s, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, W.I.
     
Dec. 15, 2009
  • BT Melodians Steel Orchestra presents its Christmas Concert.  Time: 7:00 p.m.  Venue: Royal Albert Hall,  Kensington Gore, London, UNITED KINGDOM.
     
Dec. 18, 2009
  • ‘Celebrate! with Starlift and Friends’ features St. Vincent’s Starlift Steel Orchestra, the New Kingstown Chorale, and the choir Cantemus.  Time: TBA.  Venue:  Arnos Vale Playing Field, Kingstown, ST. VINCENT, WI.
     
Dec. 19, 2009

  • United Steelbands present The Spirit of Christmas featuring Sesame Flyers, Ambassadors, CASYM, Despers USA, Pantonic, Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation, CrossFire, Women In Steel and Sonatas.  Doors open: 5:00 p.m.  Showtime: 6:30 p.m.  Venue: George Wingate Campus Auditorium, 600 Kingston Avenue (between Winthrop Street & Rutland Road,) Brooklyn, New York, USA.
     
  • Silver Stars Steel Orchestra presents their final night of Parang & Steel for 2009.  Time: 7:30 p.m. Venue: Silver Stars panyard, 56 Tragarete Road, Newtown, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, W.I.
     
Great Steelpan Events:   current & coming soon... 

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http://www.panonthenet.com/calendar/currentcal.htm
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Steelpan and Technology

Posted by When Steel Talks on October 31, 2009 at 10:42am

Steelpan, Technology, the 2009 PhotoPlus Expo
- and You
 

nross.jpgNew York, NY - When Steel Talks (WST) is among the press corps at the PDN International Conference and PhotoPlus Expo, Jacob Javits Center, New York. We are here to mingle with manufacturers, observe, question and explore their philosophies and their new digital imaging products and accessories that have, and will continue to have, such a great impact on our story - the story of the global steelpan culture, art form and community.

Indeed, the tens of thousands of people who are part of our global WST network on Facebook, Ning, PanOnTheNet and more, have come to expect - in addition to full articles - high quality images, photos that tell a story about the art form, its practitioners/ musicians and fans.

We, When Steel Talks, are now equally as famed for our steelpan photography, as we are known globally for state-of-the-art recordings, video, and audio production and news coverage. Photos bring text to life - just as the key to a superior video is superior audio. Without those great, eagerly-anticipated images from our WST pan-photographers our articles would be - well - simply a grouping of characters on a screen enrapturing readers, but still leaving much to their imagination - and awaiting that final touch - photographs - to be truly brought to life.
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Pantonic Launch

Posted by When Steel Talks on August 10, 2009 at 8:35am

The House of Champions
- CASYM, Sonatas, Despers USA, Pantonic
 

tonic-200-2435.jpgNew York, USA -  The New York middle leg or ‘day two’ of the “great weekend of pan” was matched, held and sustained at the Pantonic launch. Ironically or coincidentally, while it was not originally planned that way - this launch could easily have been named the “launch of champions.” All four of this event’s participants are past New York panorama champions. Moreover, among active bands, these distinguished steelband music franchises cover every single panorama win to date except one....

In spite of the late start, steelpan fans were treated to a classic show. Anytime you bring the likes of CASYM, Sonatas, Despers USA and Pantonic together, one is in for a memorable musical experience. These four organizations represent the big guns of North American pan.
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Toronto's 2009 Pan Alive

Posted by When Steel Talks on August 1, 2009 at 1:32pm

Results from Pan Alive 2009 in Toronto, Canada Steelband Panorama
Salah’s Steelpan Academy Wins
3rd Consecutive Steelband Music Title!
 

dscn0701-a.jpgToronto, Ontario, Canada - Congratulations are in order for Salah’s Steelpan Academy which won its third consecutive title at the annual Pan Alive Competition held last night at the Lamport Stadium. The Montreal-based steelpan music organization edged out New Dimension Steel Band by just three points. The record-setting third consecutive Pan Alive title was the second ‘top honor’ in 2009 for Salah’s Steelpan Academy which also captured the Montreal 2009 Panorama title in July.
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CSI

Posted by Pan Times on July 20, 2009 at 2:01pm

CSI Steelband Trust appears at the 5th Afrique-Carib Festival
 

DSCF0275_small.jpgNetherlands - After months of planning and laborious work by their pannists, CSI Steelband Trust was ready for their Festival performance in Almere, Netherlands. On Saturday the 4th July 2009 all twenty-four members of CSI arrived at their panyard based in the Ravenscourt Theatre School in Hammersmith, London in the wee hours to load their coach and start their eight hour journey to Holland. Their journey from Hammersmith to Dover was uneventful with everyone catching ‘forty winks’ owing to the early start. Once on the ferry to Calais, France they came alive exploring the duty free shops and restaurants on board. A card game with the loser drinking a glass of water was soon introduced. The journey time elapsed so quickly that they were all surprised that they had reached the French coastline in such a short time. The English Channel was very calm on that morning.
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Grenada Panorama

Posted by Pan Times on July 20, 2009 at 2:00pm

BOMB Competition precedes
2009 Grenada Steelband Panorama
Angel Harps come out tops
 

spice-09-aharps.jpgSt. George’s, Grenada, W.I. - The Steel Pan was in the spotlight last Saturday as a very exciting weekend of sweet pan music started the build up to Spicemas and Panorama 2009. The 2009 Bomb Tune competition that formed part of the Panorama Launch produced a show of extremely high standard, and an astounding turnout of patrons. The Tivoli Hard Court in St. Andrew’s was the venue that played host to the eight steelbands which will compete in the 2009 Panorama finals on Saturday August 8th at the country’s National Stadium.

Performing an Andy Chichester arrangement of August Is The Time, Republic Bank Angel Harps came out on top. They were followed by New Dimensions and Rainbow City All Stars, respectively.
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Deltones in Canada

Posted by Pan Times on July 20, 2009 at 1:58pm

Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra taking Pan from Siparia, Trinidad to Ontario, Canada
 

sip_del-2006_200.jpgTrinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra will perform for audiences totaling approximately 40,000 in Canada next month. They will perform at the Barrie Caribbean Festival (Caribfest) and will also be the featured guests at the One World International Drumming Festival. The Trinidad and Tobago Entertainment Company Limited (T&T Ent) has helped to support the Orchestra’s two-month stay that will include performances and workshop facilitation. 

....The workshop series will include elements of steelpan history, awareness and maintenance, making of the steelpan, steelpan playing techniques, the science of music, performance and steelband arranging.
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Stranded

Posted by Pan Times on July 20, 2009 at 1:57pm

STRANDED! NYC Bands Marooned
2009 Harbor View Festival Steelbands Reign
 

utop-wait.jpgNew York, USA - The bake and salt fish (another great Caribbean dish) was simply awesome. Just writing about it - is making me yearn for some more right now. The weather and ambience were spectacular. Location - central Brooklyn, New York outside Utopia Pan Soul - The Next Generation’s panyard. And therein lies the problem. The geographical locator for this story was suppose to say ‘Baltimore, Maryland.’

This year When Steel Talks bummed a ride with part of the New York contingent of steel bands participating in Baltimore’s annual Harbor View Festival. As in the past the event featured groups from the Northeast region of the USA - D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia. The groups were competing for the Carlos Lezama Challenge Trophy and the Pan Trinbago People’s Choice Award.
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Montreal International Festival

Posted by When Steel Talks on July 3, 2009 at 6:59pm

International Panorama 2009 - Montréal Style
 

dscn0652-a.jpgMontreal, Quebec, Canada - Panorama in Montreal is like that of no other place in the world. As the main event of the two-day Montreal International Steelpan Festival, now in its ninth year, the competition brings a unique brand and style to a city already with an envious reputation for hosting some of the greatest music and arts festivals in the world. Indeed, the operative word here is “international” as the show’s producers have expanded the traditional panorama concept of local partaking to an international perspective and participation.  
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