Steel (6)

The Steelpan Community need to get on the ball, more than 70% of th players in Toronto is under the age of (30) thirty. To these youths, playing steelpan is as canadian as playing hockey. The Steelpan art, represents an inter-generational interaction with the same objectives within the steelband Community. However, the community must be active in securing funding for the long-term developement in terms of the Science and Technology of the Instrument in Canada.
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The boston police department in Massachusetts now has underway an ongoing so-called "operation" - OPERATION STEEL DRUM, where they say they are rounding up and have arrested some, in advance, quote "as likely to commit violent acts at the festival." Interestingly, they claim this has connections with "the Dominican Festival." How did they get from "the Dominican Festival" to OPERATION STEEL DRUM?? What on earth does one have to with the other? The Steel drum or Steel pan is the national instrument of a sovereign country, Trinidad and Tobago. Here is the link to the boston article: www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/08/28/boston_police_arrest_34_before_festival/

It is extremely chilling that the boston police department with a past and very present virulent history of racial profiling and worse -is demonizing and denigrating the national instrument and culture of a sovereign country, by naming their so-called criminal clean-up activity after the steel drum, and also arrogantly displaying unfathomable disrespect and contempt in this manner.

The steelband people have strived throughout the years to overcome the stigmatization related to the steelband, which still goes on today. Now, the boston police dept, the same people who are sworn to "protect and serve" unfairly castigate and disrespect members of that same society they made that pledge to protect and serve - some of whom are steelpan players. Many people go to Boston for the Carnival (which is today, by the way) and steelpan people as well.


Imagine you are living in Boston, and your child is a member of a steelband down there, and you are pulled over by the cops for a random check, and you inform said officers you were on your way to a steel drum practice with your child? Imagine the officers' "pre-disposition" with OPERATION STEEL DRUM ongoing?


I wonder where the president of Pantrinbago Keith Diaz on this issue? Will he officially call-out boston Police Chief Dan Linskey on this matter? What says former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning? And steelpan lover and avid supporter himself, the President of Trinidad and Tobago (the land of the steel pan/drum) His Excellency Maxwell Richards? And newly-minted Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar?

What say we as steelband people?

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What's up with DC Pan Jammers?

Can WHEN STEEL TALKS find out what is the situation with Labor Day/Jouvert Morning Steelband competition 2010? I spoke to Emlyn Harewood, the leader of the band DC Pan Jammers, which won the Bomb competition last year and he told me he saw the results of the competition on WHEN STEEL TALKS.

 

Emlyn told me that leading up to the competition, he received calls fom everyone, even the police, but after the competition, NADA! He has won aspects of the Labor Day/Jouvert Morning competition on at least three occasions and has never received any payments OR trophy inclusive of last year. WHAT IS GOING ON?

 

Emlyn told me that he is interested in the band participating in this year's competition but he is at a loss at what to do and who to contact. Mobilization costs to bring the band from DC are over $3,000 and of course there is the registration fee for the competition among other things. Please WHEN STEEL TALKS find out what is going on.

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Petit Bourge History

A little piece of interesting information provided by Gary Chang Leung, also an original member of Pan Necktar:-SUNDOWN - was the first steelband using the discarded oil drums. This band was former by Gary Chang Leung, Joseph 'Mauby', Edmund Moore and Victor Toussaint. This band really took off then the William's brothers , Roy & Noel, came to live in the Petit Bourge area. it was the first band from the San Juan area to compete in the music festival at the Roxy Theatre. The songs played were 'Mambo in Brass' and 'Schubert Serenade'. The band was the first to have a sponsor and was later known as 'Carib Fascinators Sundown'.SECOND SPRING - was a smaller band with less players, who played all year round and was a spin-off from Sundown. The band was formed by Gary Chang Leung and Francine Claude Chang Leung. Gary was considered to be the first pan-tuner and arranger in Petit Buorg. Noel Williams was the other pan tuner.HILLTOPPERS - from Irving Street, was the next pan side. Wilfred Payne was the captain and Gary was the arranger.SKYLARKS = aka 'The Douglas Street Hill band was another band which was followed by 'SILHOUETTES' in 1693.Cutty Francois, Panky Sobers, and Joe Lee Soy formed this band.Henry Hosand brought out the 'Toltex Warriors' and several other mas bands.PS Others will of course have contradictory or additional information. Please add it, rather than dismiss what he has told us (Pene)
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Special Door Prize at Trinidad 2009 Panorama

folks at Trinidad Panorama on Sat Feb 21, 09, be sure to hold on to your ticket stubs as a genuine Liz Mannette piece will be the door prize. We are contributing a sterling silver bass pan bracelet - can be for men or women - at the show.Our way to reward all those die-hard pan patrons.Everyone else listening online..I'm working on creating an online gift as well.liz mannette
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