The Birdsong Academy, a Tunapuna music and cultural institution, is begging for extra time from their landlords to acquire new land and construct a new building. They're staring down the barrel of an eviction notice and they have to be out by Monday.
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Good questions, expect more of the same...
Douglas cites potential of pan industry
A goldmine for foreign exchange
Turning his attention to the stability of the emerging sector, Douglas said panyard regularisation was a vital step in that direction.
He added: “Music skills and management training, while key to the development of the steelpan sector, are not only segments of the steelpan ecosystem that require attention. The panyard, this place of creative expression, the birthplace of the country’s most renowned innovation, has traditionally been the centre of our communities.
“In recognition of the advantages that society receives from the mere existence of the panyard, the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism is pursuing the Panyard Regularisation Project.
“With the assistance of Pan Trinbago, we are working with the Ministry of Land and Marine Resources to facilitate the formalisation of the ownership of lands occupied by steelpan bands. The project is focused on more than 220 Pan Trinbago member bands.”
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-08-07/goldmine-foreign-exchange
Decmeber , 2014
DRAFT NOTE TO CABINET
PANYARD REGULARIZATION PROJECT
The matter for consideration of Cabinet is the Regularization of Land Tenure of Panyards in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
https://artistscoalition.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/panyard-regula...
To my knowledge the research has been completed. The data collected have been analyzed by statisticians at UWI. The findings were presented to Pan Trinbago. Can someone-- Diaz, Serrette, or any of the Regional Chairmen, the latter who I believe were paid to collect data on the land tenure situation of the steelbands in their region (data they could have obtained by making a phone call to the managers of steelbands), share with steelbands in TT as well as this forum the status of the Panyard Regularization Project (or whatever it is called)?? How much did the gov’t invest in that project? Who got paid? When will the gov't purchase the land used by "squatter" steelbands? I noticed that Trinis are calling on Rowley Government to make good on back pay and other debts accrued under the Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration. Who is standing up for steelbands? How many “Birdsong” scenarios are in the making? Where are the National Policies for the National Instrument? Isn’t there a World Governing Body for the Steelpan? Steups!