Despite the noticeably low visibility of uniformed police officers along Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, on Saturday night, Pan on De Avenue was incident-free. Thousands converged on the Avenue, closed off to vehicular traffic from Taylor to Colville streets for nine hours. The public must be saluted for its exemplary behaviour.
Held for the third year by the Woodbrook/St James Community Association, under the chairmanship of Dominique Pierre-Louis, the event began late but flowed smoothly and swiftly once started with 35 steelbands performing on trailers.
The formal segment included brief addresses by Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan, Port-of-Spain mayor Raymond Tim Kee, Pan Trinbago vice president Byron Serrette and association corporate secretary Allima Garcia.
A dozen acclaimed steelband arrangers were also presented with awards, cheques, hampers from Sanctuary Day Spa and Nestle, and health gift certificates, the latter donated by St Joseph's Medical Associates and presented by Irma Rattansingh. Among the arrangers present were Bobby Mohammed (Guinness Cavaliers), Earl Rodney (Solo Harmonites), Pelham Goddard (Republic Bank Exodus), Ken "Professor" Philmore (NLCB Fonclaire), Earl Brooks (Hatters) and Steve Achaiba (Ju-C Antillean All Stars).
A zumba contingent, accompanied by Oval Teens steel orchestra, performed Roy Edwards' infectious arrangement of Brasil to usher on stage, at Adam Smith Square North, the first aggregation to parade, San Fernando's Pan Elders playing Bunji Garlin's Big Truck on the Road. Studioz, led by Sharon Diaz and Pillars of Harmony were the participating zumba groups and they added a new visual dimension to a steelband event.
Maybe we will see some more zumba in next year's Panorama or on the road on Carnival Monday night for the "health" pan competition?
Maybe, because it was a free pan event the turnout was huge. The event, held in a joyful atmosphere, attracted a number of fringe activities. Families and friends turned out in their numbers, many enjoying the grassy cover of Adam Smith Square. More than one birthday was celebrated on the Avenue, including one for a 85-year-old matriarch from Mt Lambert at the Square and even a bachelorette party.
The music on the Avenue was outstanding with NGC Couva Joylanders being the biggest contingent on parade, its musicians atop two huge trailers. Among the bands impressing and attracting large followings were Pan Elders, bpTT Renegades, Massy Trinidad All Stars, Super Novas, Witco Desperadoes, Exodus, CAL Invaders, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille, White Oak Starlift, Harvard Harps and Joylanders. All Stars and Desperadoes thrilled with their trademark Panorama selections of yesteryear; Woman on the Bass, Unknown Band and Rebecca, respectively. Starlift also went back in time and reprised the Beatles classic Penny Lane.
Super Novas, with a full bodied sound, was exhilarating with its repertoire of Ah Fraid Pussy Bite Me, 15 Million Frenchmen and Du Du Yemi (Natasha), and The Statue. Renegades also thrilled with Farmer Nappy's Big People Party and its retro Kitchener medley. The energy level was high in almost every band, but noticably higher from the youthful players in PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars, Exodus, City Sun Valley, Blue Diamonds and Uni Stars. The young musicians of Exodus were of good voice as they sang the chorus of Machel Montano's Mr Fete with gusto while playing. A beautiful change to the numerous calypso selections being played were the interpretation of the hymn Blessed Assurance, performed by Laventille Serenaders; the children of Blue Diamonds executing Unchained Melody; and Bluesette by Harvard Harps, arranged by Dougie Redon.
Pan on De Avenue ended just before 3 am on Sunday with Carib Dixieland hastening to the port to load its instruments and racks for the return trip to Tobago.
Steelband Month moves into high gear this long Independence holiday weekend. Three Woodbrook steelbands - Invaders, Starlift, Playboyz - are holding post military parade brunches in their panyards. But, pan's stellar event this weekend is Monday evening's steelband fiesta along Tragarete Road with the centre stage set up outside Playboyz's panyard, at the corner of Picton Street from 6.30 pm. Shortlisted to perform are Phase II Pan Groove, Trinidad All Stars, Exodus, Invaders, White Oak Starlift, Baron, Scrunter and 2014 Humorous Calypso Monarch Myron B.
Exodus in Japan
Republic Bank Exodus is scheduled to depart for Japan on Independence Day. The former National Panorama champion and pride of the East, managed by Ainsworth Mohammed, is doing a month-long tour of 21 cities and concert halls. Performances start on September 7 in Aizu Fuga-doh, followed by two the next evenings at the Iwaki Performing Arts Centre. Through September and the first week of October, Exodus will perform at the popular Suncity Koshigaya Hall, Kawasaki City Education & Culture Hall, Nagano Prefecture Matsumoto Culture Hall, Shimane Civic Centre and the famous Kobe International House.
Communicating from Japan on Tuesday night, Mohammed extended congrats to the T&T women football team for winning the CFU championship, wishing them well in the Concacaf elimations of the World Cup, to be played in October in the USA.
On its return home, Exodus plans to stage a gala concert at its panyard on the Eastern Main Road, St Augustine, on October 26.