Not even a kitchen fire could stop Saturday evening’s launch of Panorama 2019, hosted by Pan Trinbago Inc at the Charlotte Street panyard of defending National Panorama champion bpTT Renegades. The blaze quickly extinguished, proceedings began with a blessing by Deacon Lennox Toussaint.
Admission to the launch was free but patrons were invited to make a donation upon entry. Delivering an upbeat and spirited address, newly-elected Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore extended an open invitation to the national community to support this year’s competition, especially the new North Park. Emphasising that “freeness done in pan,” the president said there would be a significant reduction of complimentary tickets to be given out.
Ramsey-Moore gave a detailed schedule for adjudication in each of the categories of competition, beginning with the January 22 judging of Single Pan steelbands.
Saturday’s launch was attended by Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez, past Pan Trinbago executive officers including former president Owen Serrette, and representatives of steelbands, including Republic Bank Exodus captain Julie Williams. Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly also attended but left early to attend another engagement. One of the evening’s highlights was the premiere performance by The Executive Band, an ensemble comprising the new Pan Trinbago executive.
Ramsey-Moore, manager of Tobago’s Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, revealed that it was the first time she was actually playing the national instrument.
After the ensemble performed a couple selections, Renegades performed, opening its set with a laidback rendition of it’s 2018 winning tune of choice, Voice’s Year for Love.
Keeping guests entertained for the rest of the programme was popular “pan DJ” KC Class is Class.
Even after the launch ended, guests stayed on, listening to Renegades rehearse this year’s National Panorama tune of choice, Nadia Batson’s Hookin’ Mih, arranged by Duvonne Stewart.