Pan festival a memorable occasion

Posted By: K. SMITH
Date: Monday, 28 October 2002, at 6:32 p.m.

In Response To: Exodus captures World Festival title (News)

Saturday October 19, the final night of the World Steelband Music Festival 2002. What a night it was.

When I arrived at the Jean Pierre Complex, there was not much activity outside, but when I got inside, to my surprise hundreds of patrons were in attendance.

What a remarkable change from the previous two semi-final days, October 15 and 16.

The Jean Pierre Complex came alive with the sweet sounds of steel.

There was pomp and pageantry for the opening, and once the festival began, the steelpan was centre of attraction, a wide variety of music was played by eight top leading steel orchestras which included a competitor from the United Kingdom and a competitor from Grenada.

In attendance were President Arthur Robinson and Mrs Robinson, the Minister of Culture and Tourism Ms Penelope Beckles, Junior Culture Minister Mr Edward Hart, Community and Gender Affairs Minister Mrs Joan Yuille-Williams, and the Minister of Culture from Grenada (name I did not get).

A pleasant and memorable evening of pan music was appreciated by all who turned up.

There was one disappointing factor, at the nearby St John’s Ambulance Hall an event was in progress and at times hampered the sounds of the pan, the music was disturbing and distracting, but by the second half, the music was turned off.

All in all, I would say a night of sweet pan and a night to remember.

Congratulations to Trinidad Exodus on its triumphant victory. Good work guys.

Messages In This Thread

Exodus captures World Festival title
News -- Monday, 21 October 2002, at 7:29 a.m.

Pan festival a memorable occasion
K. SMITH -- Monday, 28 October 2002, at 6:32 p.m.