STEELPAN action shifts to Tobago, on Sunday, for the national Panorama medium convention band final at the Parade Grounds, Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet.
Action starts at 7 pm.
Tobago hosted the medium band competition for the first time in 2020 but the event was not held over the past two years owing to covid19.
In November, THA Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris announced that the competition would return to the island for Carnival 2023.
On Saturday, Burris told Sunday Newsday, “Tobago is delighted to once again play host for the Panorama medium band final. After an exciting first year in 2020, there was no doubt that this event had to become a fixture on the island’s Carnival offerings in February. We are ready to welcome everyone to the festival grounds for this highly anticipated event, which we anticipate will be a huge success for our tourism and culture.”
Tobago has three bands in today’s final: Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, NGC Steel Xplosion and Carib Dixieland.
The Black Rock-based Katzenjammers, which played Timothy Watkins’ (Baron’s) Tell Me Why, grabbed the top spot with 282 points in last Sunday’s semi-finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain. The tune was arranged by Kersh Ramsey.
NGC Steel Xplosion and Dixieland tied for seventh place with Aaron St Louis’ (Voice) Out and Bad and Winston Henry’s (Explainer) Lorraine, respectively. The bands got 267 points.
[caption id="attachment_1000729" align="alignnone" width="1024"] KatzenJammers players during panyard juding in Panorama medium conventional band competition. - David Reid[/caption]
An upbeat Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore told Sunday Newsday the stage is set for a fantastic show.
“Things are moving smoothly. So we are looking forward to a bumper competition and I know that citizens will be satisfied,” she said, adding that a practice session was expected to be held on Saturday night at the stadium carpark.
She wished all of the 12 finalists well.
Ramsey-Moore, who manages Katzenjammers, said Pan Trinbago has also provided a park-and-ride facility for this year’s event.
She said patrons will have access to a shuttle service at Old Market Square in Scarborough from 4.30 pm.
Trinidad-based arranger Vanessa Headley, in her first appearance with Carnbee’s Steel Xplosion, said the band’s management team and players have invested heavily in the presentation.
“A lot of hopes and dreams are wrapped up in preparations for today’s competition. It’s a new competition on a new stage, in a new location, so anything is possible,” she said.
Saying the goal was to win the judges’ approval, Headley said the band studied their remarks after last Sunday’s semifinals and have made the necessary alterations.
She added Steel Xplosion, which will be playing in position number nine, has made a “few strategic enhancements” to both the arrangement and general performance.
“Steel Xplosion’s members are always co-operative and excited to deliver the goods. I’m looking forwa
