Barbados Pan Festival

26/07/2024

Panazz the story coming soon.

Chef Barry changing hats as the Director and Producer of the Panazz story.

Long live the Arts.

24/07/2024

Sandra DesVignes-Millington, better known as Singing Sandra, was a Trinidadian calypsonian who won the Calypso Monarch title at the 1999 and 2003

Long Live the Arts.

24/07/2024

Mentoring by the Master -mentorship opportunities from Cultural Icons.
https://www.facebook.com/culture.divisiontt/photos

Comments from Mentors-
Renée Cummings a Criminologist and Consultant said:
"Today, I begin a unique relationship with about 80 "up-and-coming" T&T artists through a national knowledge transfer initiative called "Mentoring by the Masters." I've been tasked with the professional development of these artists, a responsibility I take very seriously. It is also an absolute honour and privilege to be acknowledged as a "Master Mentor" and I promise never to disappoint.
The project will be launched, today, and I will be in the most distinguished company; other Master Mentors include, Literary Arts/Earl Lovelace, Musical Accompaniment/Lindy Ann Bodden Ritch, Heritage Preservation and Documentation/Joseph Valley and Festival Development/Marina Salandy Brown. I really look forward to this opportunity! I'm always humbled by the faith people have in me!"

Mentor Marina Salandy- Brown a journalist, broadcaster, cultural activist, and founder of the globally recognised Bocas Lit Fest.
on returning from Scotland to begin Festival Development workshops as a Mentor with program participants.
"On completing her first Mentoring by the Masters session Marina said:
"It was a pleasure meeting everyone. These are ambitious people with real ideas, it's very encouraging."

Keron Superville-Artist and Music teacher said;
"Great Initiative! We need more mentorship opportunities like this one"

Question: what happened to such a successful program under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts?

Long Live the Arts.

24/07/2024

In June 2016 the first Gallery Hop was conceptualized by Marlon De Bique-Culture Officer I and Lead of the Festival Development Team from the then Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, and his team.. Now the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.

Since then, the National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago will roll out this wonderful initiative for the second time during the World Steel Band Festival 2024. Congratulations to the National Museum and Art Gallery on the success of their first run of this initiative and all the best in 2024.

The Gallery Hop will now be a part of the third World Steel Pan Festival 2024 the 4th Festival of its kind and the 3rd under the World Steel Pan Festival "Brand".

Mr. De Bique passed recently, it would be nice to Brand the project "Marlon De Bique Gallery Hop" as a matter of respect for my Cultural brother.

Long Live the Arts.

23/07/2024

Cultural Exchange with Barbados Friday, July 3rd, 2015.

Question; was it done before or after, and why not?

See Pictures of a workshop in Barbados; It was indeed an hounor to work with the professionals of the NSSO and the wonderful staff of the NCF in Barbados.

Lacking; The Fostering of a greater alliance with our Caribbean Brothers and Sisters from other territories opens greater opportunities to share their cultural strengths, diversities, and institutional knowledge resulting in a more cordial working relationship for the development of the Arts.

Long Live the Arts.

23/07/2024

From the Archives: photos of my dear colleague who left us a few weeks ago Marlon DeBique, and Alicia Blake and Mr. Ian Clarke at the 2015 -ICP International Conference and Panorama Conference which was under different Branding as in previous years:
1988, the World Steelband Music Festival.
2000, the World Steelband Music Festival.
Making the 2024 Festival the 4th of its kind.
Trinidad and Tobago stands out in the World of Steel Pan, the Instrument is undoubtedly the National Instrument and the History of the Instrument should never be erased but taught to the youth in its purity.
Long live the Arts.

22/07/2024

• From the Archives of Steel Pan through the years in Barbados.

It is one of my better productions, the reviews touched my soul and gave me inspiration to continue to promote the Instrument of the Millennium.

•“Through the Years” April 14th- 2001 with Banks Soundtech,
Ian Alleyne and Ken “Professor” Philmore at Barbados Museum.

Please ensure the youth is furnished with the true History of the Steel Pan, especially in the land of its birth.

Long Live the Steel Pan.

21/07/2024

The NSSO plays a vital role in enriching our cultural landscape. This orchestra is the premier ambassador of steelpan for Trinidad and Tobago the orchestra uses the G-pan exclusively.

https://www.panonthenet.com/news/2010/mar/copeland-3-01-10.htm?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2QnPLXKzekFp43IDpNmfqGikNpZf0IMdpUgBrLbMVNJrBCtgsy59nYqWs_aem_8AXu4d2La3q3CD_BbWHZgA

The inventor of the G-Pan Dr. Brian Copeland - in this exclusive 2010 When Steel Talks (WST) interview - moves to explain some of the misconceptions about the instrument and further, its importance to the future development of the steelpan movement.

21/07/2024

• From the Archives of the “Barbados Pan Festival/Pan Under the Trees – June 2005, May 27th, June 4th and 5th

•“Barbados Pan Festival/Pan Under the Trees – June 2005 will featured Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe & Phase II Pan Groove, Ray Holman, Witco Desperadoes, Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore, Ricky Brathwaite and Mike Sealy.
• First Annual Caribbean 7-A-Side Steel Pan Competition May 26th, 2005 With Participating Ensembles from St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua, Barbados, and Nevis.

Long Live the Steel Pan.

14/07/2024

More than a decade ago in an Article by the late Wayne Bowman: "Culture the New Oil"
Media personality Josanne Leonard in her presentation titled;

“The Creative Equation, Cultural Assets, and Culture Resolve,” said "that the days of sugar being a major source of revenue and long-gone oil reserves will soon be depleted".

Leonard said: "Trinidad's Cultural assets such as its history, language, food, music, visual arts, and other expressions have special significance and will (should have by now) create a paradigm shift".

"We must exploit these cultural resources properly and effectively to ensure they generate potential revenue. This resource will not run out. Our culture is a large untapped reservoir of dynamic energy waiting to be employed. The creative industries are an unlimited growth sector".


Long Live the Arts

10/07/2024

Pan A*z in Barbados.
I feel delighted to have worked with Pan A*z on their journey during my Steel Pan productions in Barbados.

Steelband Shows:
• “PANAZZ in Concert” with PANAZZ Players, Raf Robertson and Clifton Glasgow at Sunbury Great House, May1998. I Produced for the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association.
• “Pan Under the Trees” June 1999 with PANAZZ Players, Arturo Tappin and Mike Sealy at the Barbados Museum.
• “Those Latin Nights” October 2000 with PANAZZ Players, Ricky Brathwaite and Los Latinos at Barbados Museum.
Workshop;
• 1999 - Panazz Players participated in one of my 12 organized Free Workshops in Barbados for school children and interested pan players: at St. Lucy Secondary School in collaboration with NCF.

Long Live the Arts.

07/07/2024

The History of the Steelpan, its Impact in Hartford, and the Significant Evolution.
Kimani Bishop
[email protected]

PERCEIVED STIGMA OF CARIBBEAN IDENTITY
Although calypso music was invented by the people and was often the prime genre adapted to the steel bands, Soca music has now become the standard genre for setting steelpan musical compositions.

Soca songwriters now compose their music considering the possibility of Steelband adaptations. The panorama competitions became a major part of the Carnival festivities in the 1970s, and, in later years, businessmen of small and large companies began to financially sponsor steel bands throughout the country.

According to Shannon Dudley, “The competition affirms a spurious notion that calypso has always been the principle genre of steel band performance, an ideological project that served the interest of independence-era cultural nationalists who needed to identify themselves with Afro-Trinidadian art forms” (Aparicio 2003;157). T

Full; Article below.

06/07/2024

"The Role of Steel Pan in the journey to Cultural Transferring to the next generation"!

They say Art and Culture are transformative by nature. I heard a speech once and it was concluded; "Art and Culture are both drivers and a facilitative force in the achievement of sustainable development".
If the above is true and persons can be empowered to take ownership of their own development and contribute to the advancement of a community both from a financial and social perspective, now, more than ever it's time we take an introspective look at the level of national development and our achievements in the creative sector.
I need to ask :
Where can I go? I need to visit at least one Gallery, one outdoor interpretive area, and a re-enactment of the site where Winston "Spree "Simon worked on the first Steel Pan.
Where can I find a "Living" permanent Museum for the true expression and national identity of Trinidad and Tobago called Calypso?
In my vision I see;
A permanent "living" Cultural Museum, featuring interactive exhibits with actors dressed in period costumes explaining different depictions of notable events in the history of steep pan and calypso. With a sales section, performing spaces, food court, and restroom facilities.
A permanent "Living" museum will create and sustain jobs for many persons in the "living" cultural journey while exploring the rich culture of this twin island state.


OBJECTIVES OF T.I.M.E.
a. To enhance the musical skills and talent available throughout the nations and regions of the Caribbean upon which the Global Industry can draw.

b. To enhance the musical skills and talent available throughout the nations and regions of the Caribbean upon which the Global Industry can draw.

c. To Explore and support initiatives that develop music literacy and encourage understanding and engagement with Steel Pan music for all audiences and lifelong learners

d. The mission is to achieve sustainable growth in harmony with the environment, the global economy, the local community, and its stakeholders, through Steel Pan Innovations.

e. To create a platform between local and foreign creative markets.

f. To develop audiences for ‘new music’ and creative products.

Long Live the Arts.

29/06/2024

Archives Photos: Three Great Calypsonians-from an era when the godfathers and mothers provided the vintage stuff with contrasting fashion, some witty, and pointed and others colorful and energetic.
In addition, there was humor in the lyrics.

Donric “Master Funny” Williamson

Morel "King Luta" Peters

Daniel "Trinidad Rio" Brown

Keeping Calypso on the Front Line

29/06/2024

No 33 my favorite all round is a hero.
India the Champions.

29/06/2024

Here comes No 33 again defending 16 in the last over.

29/06/2024

No 33 turns up and the game opens again.

29/06/2024

This ICC 20/20 Cricket Final this morning in Barbados is similar to a IPL cricket final. It’s a battle of the best Cricket brains in the game.
All the players played in the just concluded IPL 2024.
This Cricket contest will be players from the IPL University of Cricket.
Lovely Cricket

29/06/2024

As a Caribbean man, I am so proud of Ian Bishop of Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹: rated in the World of Cricket commentators-Tony Cozier is listening.

28/06/2024

From the Calypso Archives -Vintage Kaiso Series -held in Barbados Vintage Kaiso 111-The Caribbean Connection. Produced by my first Company in Barbados.

Barbados; “Vintage Kaiso III – The Caribbean Connection” with Becket, Swallow, King Ajamu, Black Stalin, Singing Sandra, Mighty Shadow, TC, Lord Blakie and Gabby in 2000-

A cast that was never seen together before or after- Best the of the Best.

Still keeping Calypso in the Front Line.

28/06/2024

Tomorrow at The Kensington Oval is a stadium in the western part of Bridgetown, Barbados. It is the pre-eminent sporting facility on the island and is primarily used for cricket. It has hosted many important cricket games between local, regional, and international teams during its more than 120-year history.

India vs South Africa -ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 20/20 -2024, 10:30 am

India holds a slight edge in both teams' T20 meetings. The 2007 champions have won 14 matches compared with South Africa's 11. Crucially, India has emerged on top in four of their five meetings in the T20 World Cup.

Lovely Cricket.

27/06/2024

Look Trouble-London Bridge is Falling Down -49 for 5

27/06/2024

No table Salt on the English Table.

27/06/2024

Without the Buttler, no dinner for England tonight.

27/06/2024

Come on India I need 175

27/06/2024

Mistake: Afghanistan batting first in the first Semi-Finals.
ICC 20/20 World Cup championship 2024.
Good luck to both teams.
Cricket lovely Cricket

09/06/2024

New York wicket a nightmare for the batters. It reminds me of the days we had uncovered wickets.

09/06/2024

I don’t think this WI team selected again tonight is the strongest team.

31/03/2023

Mr Young; former PS in the Ministry of Culture and Youth Development, Mr White of CMC media, and Mr. Smith of Cricket Legends.

31/03/2023

CEO-Michael Murray