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?

Nine times Panorama Champions Bp Renegades Steel Orchestra left Trinidad on August 23 for a tour of Japan. The group, led by Captain Candice Andrews, comprises of tenor players Levi Ettienne, Kain Cox, and Kershiff Perry; Double-tenor player Cleveland King, and Double-guitar player Jessica Bentick. The Bassist are Kayesha Ollivierre, Ayesha Moses and and Rudolph Grant. Also making the trip are cellist Anthony Crichlow and Aaron Franklin; percussionist Andrew Brumant, Vance Romain and Juma Simmons, together with Double-second players Ishmael Wharton and Candice herself.

During the eight days in the ‘Land of the Rising sun’, Renegades will present four concerts, the first at Okayama General Cultural Theatre in Okayama on August 26th; the second on August 28th at the Mitaka City Arts Foundation. The third on August 29 will be held at the Yokosuka Arts Theatre in Yokosuka Kanagawa and the fourth on August 30 at the Shinjuku Cultural Theatre in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. The band will perform a mix of classical, pop, R & B, jazz and Caribbean music. They will also hold two workshops in Okayama on August 26, and Mitaka on August 28.

This is Renegades tenth visit to Japan. They first toured there in 1992 and have been invited back repeatedly to perform and carry on workshops. In 1993, they performed at the Sukiyaki Meets the World Festival in Helios and at the Earth Celebration on Sado Island, during which they were featured in a command performance with the famous Kodo Drummers of Japan and the Kangsadan Orchestra of Thailand.

Renegades were also instrumental in the formation of the Sukiyaki Steel Orchestra (SSO) of Nanto city, Toyama, Japan. Tenor pannist Brian Brumant, who is currently in the USA furthering his studies in music, spent a total of eight months there between 1995 and 1998, training the Japanese to play the instrument. His brother, Renegades current drummer and former captain, Andrew Brumant also had two, two-month stints in 1997 and 1998, working with the SSO.

NOSTALGIA PAN ROUND NECK PEOPLE & SUPPORTERS

This week, we are practising on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday

at Maxilla Social Club.

On Saturday 28th August (Panorama Day) -
We are practising at Maxilla from 12 noon to 4pm.

It will be the last practise and everyone needs to be there.

Lionel

I asked Pan Trinbago this question in 2009. They responsed that it was more profitable to hold the semi finals the way it is at the moment. I cannot dispute their claim, because I do not have access to their books.

However, as one who do not reside in T&T, I cannot accept that, because most of the visitors at T&T's carnival are there for two weeks, which means that none of them will be in T&T for the Panorama semi finals. Maybe the date is mandated by the powers that be, so more visitors will come to T&T earlier and pump more money in the economy of T&T. Nah, I don't think so. Pan Trinbago should realize that the more people are in T&T on the date of the semis, the more people will come to the Savannah. I have no problem with Pan Trinbago asking all of us who take in the "free music" on the drag to donate something at a specific security point at the Savannah. No fences on the drag in 2011, would not that be nice!

No! No! do not ask about crime or who is accoutable for monies donated, let's think above that.

Check out this link about a Steelband in Arizona

http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=84018

The Ultimate Love