The stage is set for an afternoon of sweet music and a sumptuous meal on Sunday when the Lions Club of Success/Laventille hosts its 30th Parang Competition and BBQ Fund-raiser at the Lions Cultural Centre, Fitzblackman Drive, off Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, from 11.30 am.
This unique event began its historic journey in 1985 when what was then the Port-of-Spain East Lioness Club sought innovative ways of raising funds to support community service projects in the Laventille/Beetham area. It was the brainchild of then Lioness Shirley Salvary who insightfully capitalised on an opportunity to introduce and promote authentic parang as an art form at the competition level in the "West."
Club president at the time, Albertina Sybil Simpson, appointed Gwen Dos Santos to chair this novel project. An energetic and capable team expanded the concept and successfully hosted the first event which saw the Carib Santa Rosa group emerging as winners. After copping the trophy on three successive occasions, this band is now a staple and faithful guest performer at the event
Support for this signature fund-raising project has enabled the Club to develop and maintain projects that meet some of the human needs in our operational service area of Success Village, Laventille and Beetham Gardens; projects such as health and wellness clinics (diabetes/vision screening), food distribution to senior citizens, educational and environmental youth development programmes and social assistance. Partnerships have also been developed with certain agencies to enhance our service output.
This combination of pulsating rhythm and savoury food was well received by appreciative patrons who not only came repeatedly but also brought along more family and friends to delightfully experience this traditional art form and ring in the Christmas spirit.
Parang Barbecue as it is affectionately referred to by the organisers, has grown exponentially since its inception, continuing as a premier crowd-pleaser, even as the Lioness Club transitioned to a Lions Club in its own right as a member of the International Association of Lions Clubs, the world's largest voluntary service organisation.
The event, which received the blessings of the National Parang Association of T&T, has been graced with the official patronage of past first ladies and honorary members, including the late Ermintrude Clarke, Zalyhar Hassanali; Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards, Hazel Manning, in her capacity as spouse of former prime minister as well as former mayor Murchison Brown and mayors of the City of Port-of-Spain, to whom this organisation owes a debt of gratitude.
The Success/Laventille Lions' stage has seen quite an array of other quality parranderos including the late, great Daisy Voisin and La Divina Pastora, who created waves of excitement and enchantment; Lara Bros with its inimitable and engaging style; infectious triple-winners Los Alumnos de San Juan, led by Alicia Jagessar; Voces Jovenes, who shared its youthful talent; Los Amigos Cantadores; ever consistent La Familia de Rio Claro; Los Buenos Parranderos; and, Los Paraminios, to name a few.
This year, there are 14 competing bands including Voces J�venes, Los Amigos Cantadores, La Bendici�n, Renacer and Los Buenos Cantadores. The competition will be interspersed with a Latin dance competition for the light-footed and adventurous among the day's guests, while on sale will be a variety of beverages, the usual mouth-watering pastelles, savoury corn soup, arepas, traditional fruit cake and ice cream.
MORE INFO
Tickets are priced at $180 each for the Parang Competition with lunch and are available at Cleve's Records, Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, or may be booked by calling 622 4963 / 682 5783 / 785 4308. For those aficionados who prefer to enjoy the parang only, there is an entrance fee of $100.