The National Steelband Heroes Hall of Fame Foundation will honour steelband pioneers at its second annual induction and awards ceremony on Independence evening, August 31, at the Central Bank Auditorium. St Vincent Street, Port of Spain.
The foundation, headed by Reginald Vidale, was commissioned in May 2020 as a non-profit organisation under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, a media release said.
Vidale said its primary mission is "to identify and publicly recognise the steelpan fraternity’s pioneers and heroes – many of whose accolades remain unsung by the wider citizenry.”
This year's event fits into the global schedule of activities marking Pan Month in TT, and is in support of the United Nations' declaration of World Steelpan Day, which was observed on August 11.
[caption id="attachment_1032149" align="alignnone" width="600"] Vincent Hueloy Yip Young of Solo Harmonites will be honoured by the National Steelband Heroes Hall of Fame Foundation on August 31 at the Central Bank Auditorium, St Vincent Street, Port of Spain. -[/caption]
This year’s inductees are:
the late Milton "Wire" Austin of Fonclaire Steel Orchestra;
Vincent Hueloy Yip Young of Solo Harmonites;
Iran “Duce” Anthony of NGC Steel Xplosion;
Merle Albino-de Couteau, music educator
The committee said it has plans to widen its nominations to include regional and international icons in the near future, the release said. Plans are also underway to commission a physical Steelband Hall of Fame, which will help boost community and festival tourism.
Secretary and acting treasurer Rhona Harris spoke of the importance of the ceremony as “part of a comprehensive approach to nation-building.”
Partners for this year’s ceremony include RHAND Credit Union Co-operative Society Ltd, Votini Premium Infused Vodka, Rebuilding an Empire, and Musical Instruments of TT Company Ltd.
The first induction and awards ceremony of the National Steelband Heroes Hall of Fame Foundation was held in 2022, when 11 icons were celebrated. Among them were:
Franka Headley, founder and administrator of Golden Hands Steel Orchestra;
Roy Cape, musician;
Edward "Eddie" Hart, former minister of community development, culture and gender affairs;
Lawford Dupres, former captain of Harvard Harps Steel Orchestra;
the late Ursula Tudor of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra;
Edwin "Junior" Pouchet of Silver Stars Steel Orchestra; and
Vernon "Birdie" Mannette of Invaders Steel Orchestra.
The committee can be contacted at (868) 786-1703 or via http://linktr.ee/NSHHOFF
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