Soca and masquerade will filter through the streets of Port of Spain while pan will resound in Tunapuna as the launches of Carnival and Panorama take place this weekend.
These will happen on November 4 and 5 respectively. The first of these will be Carnival’s launch at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, from 3 pm. It will begin with a pre-show at that time and will feature performances by Nadia Batson, Patrice Roberts, Destra, reigning calypso monarch Ta’zyah O’Connor, SuperBlue and Ronnie McIntosh, among others.
Panorama’s launch on November 5 will be blended with performances by Naliah Blackman, Ding Dong, Chuck Gordon and Darwren “Pharoah” Greenidge.
[caption id="attachment_1043659" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Pan Trinbago will launch Panorama 2024 on November 5 at Republic Bank Exodus’ panyard, Eastern Main Road, St Augustine, from 5.30 pm - Roger Jacob[/caption]
For the past three years or more, Pan Trinbago’s launches took place in the city but this year it moves east and will be held at Republic Bank Exodus’ panyard, Eastern Main Road, St Augustine, from 5.30 pm.
Pan Trinbago's president Beverley Ramsey-Moore promises a great show as the organisation prepares for even bigger things as the annual pan competition progresses.
Ramsey-Moore believes the great performances and enthusiastic players that people will see on Sunday will be fuelled by the body having attained the UN’s declaration of World Steelpan Day on August 11.
[caption id="attachment_998158" align="alignnone" width="603"] Nadia Batson -[/caption]
“Recognition helps to boost individuals and with that world-wide recognition, there is a rejuvenation in spirit, resiliency and energy. That is why the theme this year is Rhythms of Steel: feel it, love it, share it,” she said.
At the time of interview, Ramsey-Moore was in Antigua for the Antigua Commercial Bank (ACB) Caribbean National Schools’ Panorama Competition.
Pan Trinbago met with Antigua and Barbuda’s director in the Antiguan Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture Khan Cordice as well as a board member of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission. Ramsey-Moore, accompanied by Pan Trinbago’s PRO Withfield Weekes also met with Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Culture in its Ministry of Education, Sports and the Creative Industries Daryll Matthew.
Pan Trinbago also met with the Antigua Steelband Association, Ramsey-Moore said in a phone interview.
In the meeting with Matthew, they discussed the importance of pan for capital human development, its uses as a tool in aiding positive youth behaviours, and the positive impact of pan on communities.
The meeting in Antigua was one of many Pan Trinbago hopes to host as it hopes to contact all Caribbean countries with pan associations to “rebuild and strengthen bridges that were broken.”
[caption id="attachment_1043662" align="alignnone" width="819"] Nailah Blackman - Jeff K Mayers[/caption]
“It is very important when we speak; we speak with one voice, just as we do with West Indies cricket. Because one of th