Christmas day is exactly 100 days away but parang, the indigenous music of the season, is in full swing. Parang got off to a serious start last Saturday at Lions Civic Centre in Port-of-Spain when Voces Jovenes staged its fifth edition of Start de Parang.
This year’s production was held in honour of parang icon, the late Holly Betaudier. In attendance were his widow Valerie, son Holly Junior and National Parang Association of T&T (NPATT) president Larry Denalli.
Emotionally overcome by the event, Betaudier’s widow left midway through the first band’s performance.Betaudier was remembered throughout the programme as video clips highlighting his career were screened between the performances of the five bands showcased.
The show was scheduled to begin at 7 pm but many patrons came an hour earlier to welcome guest performer La Familia de Parranda. Hailing from Santa Cruz and made up of young people, this group gave a commendable account of itself.
With the national anthem performed at 7 pm by two vocalists (Lisette Khan and Candice Corbie) from Voces Jovenes, Voces de Promesa occupied the stage for 35 minutes, offering a clean and lively performance, setting the mood for a night of good parang music.
Hailing from Tacarigua—its female singers looking more like entrants in a beauty pageant, elegantly attired in orange and gold gowns—Voces de Promesa thrilled with its medley of Lord Funny’s Sweet Sweet Trinidad and David Rudder’s Trini to D’Bone and Land of Oil and Music.
Then came the moment everyone seemed to be anticipating, the entry of iconic parang group The Lara Brothers. With its legendary brothers Tito and Willie now deceased, lead vocals were competently executed by newcomer Glen Dhanoolal. The Lara Brothers really hit the spot and brought patrons onto the floor, with an instrumental interpretation of Besame Mucho.
It was almost 9 pm when host band Voces Jovenes hit the stage, green and black being its colour combination of choice. Formed in Diego Martin in 1997, this group gave an all-round performance, although its sound engineering was a bit overwhelming in terms of volume. The group paid tribute to Betaudier and Joey Lewis and its playing of Lewis’ Pint o’ Wine was spot on, enticing even more patrons to dance.
The euphoria displayed by patrons was raised even higher by the performances of La Divina Pastora and Los Alumnos de San Juan. La Divina evoked fond memories with its rendering of some of the ditties made popular by the late Daisy Voisin.
Led by Alicia Jagassar, the ladies of Los Alumnos de San Juan looked splendid in white, the males in black, and the group delighted by performing all its well known hits, from La Promesa to Cantando Gloria, as well as putting its own spin on Luther Vandross’ I’ll Be There—Every Year, Every Christmas.
But the clincher of Los Alumnos’ performance was its delivery of its original tribute to Betaudier, with a driving rhythm and sweet melody, complete with Betaudier’s familiar Scouting for Talent phrases, “Crix as only Bermudez can bake it” and “toot bagai.” This band’s sound is enhanced by the inclusion of a pan player, a unique and welcome addition to parang music.
Saturday’s event was thoroughly enjoyable with patrons getting value for their money—five of the best parang bands in the land, delicious food, including roast pork, pastelle, and bake and shark. Also available, from a conspicuously branded stall, was Crix, made popular by Betaudier when he hosted Scouting for Talent. The popular biscuit was served with pickled pineapple and cheese, a truly delectable morsel. Show host Mario Wallison did an efficient job, ensuring that the programme ran smoothly without any undue hiccups.
Parang action continues on September 23 when NPATT hosts Spanish Fusion—A Tribute to Daisy Voisin in Siparia. Some of the bands billed to perform are Los Alumnos de San Juan, La Divina Pastora, Los Ruisenores and La Casa De Parranda.
Gone but not forgotten
Asami Nagakiya, the Japanese pan player who was slain during Carnival 2016, will be remembered by the Codrington Pan Family on its latest album—Someday—with three of her pan compositions included on its tracks.
Cary Codrington, patriarch/manager/musical director of the band, inspired by Nagakiya, composed the album’s title track. He said: “Representing the yearning to reunite with deceased loved ones, the song is one of three featured tracks from the Codrington Pan Family’s latest offering. Also featured on the album is the original composition of Dreaming Girl by Asami (that she never got the opportunity to record.)
However, through the efforts of the Codrington Pan Family, the project has finally been achieved. Perhaps, then, her dream of living in our beautiful twin islands has also been realised, as she now lives on in the hearts of all Trinbagonians who have been touched by her talent and her love for our culture.
“(The album) was pre-released in Japan at the Yokohama Steelpan Festa in August. From September 17, physical and digital copies can be purchased locally and globally,” said Cary Codrington.
He added: “It is just over seven months since we in the steelpan fraternity lost an incredible musician and a great friend. Little did we know that February 2016 would be the last time that many of us would see Asami Nagakiya’s smile or hear her laugh, as she stumbled through some awkward phrases in our local parlance.
“Perhaps, then, it is fitting that our last real memory of Asami is of her standing proudly on stage on the night of Panorama finals, doing what she loved. After weeks of highly energetic yet gruelling rehearsals, she was again ready to give her all on our national instrument—the steelpan.”
For further information, contact Cary Codrington at either 477-2852 or kharicodrington@gmail.com
Tobago pan jam
The Tobago Region of Pan Trinbago Inc is staging a Republic Pan Jam with four of the island’s steel orchestras tomorrow. D’ Colosseum Car Park, Milford Road, Crown Point, Tobago, will be the venue for this exciting concert. Featured bands are Tobago Euphonic Sounds, NGC Steel Xplosion, Our Boys and Metro Stars.
Admission is free to the public and the organising committee promises a night of melodious sounds of steel in celebration of the twin-island’s adoption of a Republican constitution 40 years ago. Citizens are invited to come out in their numbers and enjoy this bonus musical gift, scheduled to begin at 8 pm, in a build-up to the actual holiday next week Saturday.
Blood is a star
Veteran actor Errol Blood Roberts will star in a new play, Eileen and Me, at the Little Carib Theatre, at the end of October this year. He will be joined by a newcomer to Port-of-Spain, Alicia Psyche Haynes. Roberts, a distinct voice in our theatre, has performed in plays written by such luminaries as William Shakespeare and Derek Walcott.
Eileen and Me is described as a complicated love story, with a dash of intrigue. It is meant for adults only. Author of the play is Ronald John. He is also the play’s director. John has, over the years, scripted many plays, among them Dance Me, Lover, which opened the National Academy for the Performing Arts (Napa) in 2009.
Eileen and Me will be performed at the Little Carib Theatre for two weekends, October 28 to 30, and November 4 to 6. Showtimes are: Friday and Saturday, 8:30 pm; Sunday, 6:30 pm.
Tuco gives thanks
Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (Tuco) will be hosting Calypso History Month in October and will hold a Thanksgiving Service titled, Come Celebrate and Give Thanks Long Live Kaiso, on Monday, at 5 pm.
For the last 14 years Tuco has opened the door for the nation to celebrate the contributions made by our calypso pioneers and the early chantuelles and icons who played an integral role in the socio-cultural development of a Caribbean literary and oral tradition.
For the last two years, Tuco has been celebrating the official opening of this Calypso History Month by way of a dedicated thanksgiving service. The thanksgiving service will be held at the Central Bank Auditorium, Lower St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain and representatives of the religious bodies as well as guests, members, their families and friends are invited to attend.