Most of the performances were really outstanding, but the standout act on the night was Leston Paul when he played Pan in A Minor on keyboards, a calypso classic he arranged for the late Lord Kitchener. Last Friday’s tribute opened with former Sound Revolution guitarist Ryan Romany hosting the evening’s first stanza, which featured Samuel Jack on keyboards, bassist Macdonald Inniss, guitarist Dean Williams and Carl Jacobs on congas.
Gradually the musicians began filing in and taking turns on stage, cheered on by colleagues and music stakeholders in the audience like Charles Assam, Swami Galt, Brent Thomas, Vernon Headley and Vonrick Maynard. And so the procession continued. Thrilling the capacity-filled showplace were Roger Salloum of Mad House Band, trumpeter Hyden Robin, Michael “Ming” Low Chu Tung, Arthur Marcial, David Boothman, Tony Woodroffe, Mikhail and Joshua Salcedo, and Lance Nichols. As midnight approached, past Road March champion SuperBlue and guitarist Michael Boothman showed up and they too entertained.
There were also singers aplenty at Kaiso Blues and some of them who offered their voices were Trini Jacobs, Juliet Robin, Adrian Philbert and Kerwin Trotman.
A similar musical tribute was held by Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco) at Kaiso Blues last night for calypso icon Brigo who was buried on Monday.
Burrokeets returns in 2018
Decades ago, Burrokeets was the largest mas band to parade the streets of Port-of-Spain for Carnival. Following a hiatus, the band is returning to its old ways come Carnival 2018. Expected to be back to full strength, the Burrokeets Cultural Foundation (BCF) is teaming up with Burrokeets UK Carnival Band for next year’s return.
Those who are old enough to remember would recall that Burrokeets was a huge Carnival Monday mas community band in Trinidad for a long time, but, has been off the road for over 25 years. Just before that, two Trinidadian friends, Joan Sam and Barbara Greaves, got the blessings of the committee to form their own band in London.
In August 1990, Burrokeets UK hit the streets of Notting Hill and have been making their cultural contribution ever since.
Now, because of their success in the UK, Sam and band leader Brian Royer decided to revive the band here in Trinidad and approached Burrokeets Cultural Foundation for their support. An agreement was reached, and one of the UK’s top mas designers Shari Royer of Shari’s House of Designs, as well as two Trinidad mas designers, are on board for the new venture.
The Burrokeets Team is excited about this venture as the bandleaders feel that it is time to bring the band back home to Trinidad where it first started. This week Burrokeets member Shelley Hart told Pulse: “We will be hitting the streets of Port-of-Spain in a manner that may not have been anticipated.”
She added: “We intend to be at all judging points, kicking off with our presentation at the Queens Park Savannah on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.
“For that little extra oomph, we do have a couple events that would be taking place in the near future, starting with Kishing Kishing, to be held at the Blu Roc Bar, Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, on Sunday, June 18.”
For this fund-raising lime, tickets are reasonably priced at US$8 ($50) and can be purchased from committee members.
• For more information, contact Shelley Hart (380-6144) or email events@burrokeetsuk.com
High Mass— A Spiritual Awakening Through Dance
Les Enfants Dance Company will make a glorious return to the stage with its production at Christ Church, Cascade, and on Sunday, at St Barnabas Anglican Church, Pleasantville, San Fernando.
Conceptualised as a full mass in motion, High Mass was conceived by the legendary dance pioneer and Les Enfants’ founder Joyce Kirton to celebrate the dance company’s 55th anniversary.
The production brings together the stalwart dance prodigies that form Kirton’s legacy, employing the renowned skills of companies such as Metamorphosis Dance Company, Alpha Theatrical Dance Company and Elements Dance Company. It will feature choreography by Kirton herself, in addition to those of prominent, integral figures in the Trinidad dance scene such as Abeo Jackson and Breige Wilson who have trained under Kirton and Les Enfants, and Terry David who has been performing with the company since its early years.
With an eclectic selection of original and familiar musical compositions from Trinidad, Jamaica, Argentina, Africa and American jazz, High Mass will present an exciting array of set pieces that will showcase the individual talent and interpretation of each choreographer, dancer and composer.
In pursuit of the perfection of technique and the Americanisation of the craft, dance in Trinidad seems to have lost its soul, according to Kirton. As such, her vision is to reaffirm the spiritual nature of dance and reconnect it to the African foundation through music and movement.
Kirton seeks to provide a spiritually transformative experience through dance and hopes that patrons will not just think of High Mass as going to see a show in a church, but rather going to church; it is a Mass in all senses of the word.
In a recent interview Kirton said that High Mass is the show that she has always wanted to do. Now that it has finally come to fruition, she promises a “creative spiritual” experience unlike any other.
Both shows begin at 5 pm and tickets, priced at just $100, will be available at the respective venues.
For additional information, contact Roslyn Jackson (333-1297).
Pan is in the air
Exciting things are happening in the steelband world despite Pan Trinbago not producing any major events since Carnival. Last weekend’s Diatonic Steel in Motion parade and competition was a huge success, with Arima All Stars and the T&T Fire Services Steel Orchestra emerging champions in the four categories staged.
Single Pan steelbands were required to play a gospel selection, played in calypso tempo, as well as a tune of choice from the repertoire of Black Stalin, as the event was held as a tribute to the southern calypso stalwart. A flag-waving competition was also held.
Arima All Stars topped the field in the Religious category, placing ahead of San Juan All Stars and Trinidad East Side, respectively. The band also won the Best Repertoire on the Road category.
Fire Services was voted to have the best flag-waver and also copped the Black Stalin tune of choice contest, beating out UniStars and Arima All Stars, respectively.
The eagerly awaited comPANions Sports & Family Day is scheduled for next Tuesday’s holiday at Constantine Park, Macoya, from 9.30 am. With the days’ dance past titled Road Marches from 1965—1985, many of the nation’s steelbands will be competing against each other in a variety of non-pan sporting events.
However, before Tuesday, the comPANions Steelband Big 8 Knockout in All Fours, 5-a-side Football & Dominoes competitions will be held tomorrow evening, from 6 pm. at Massy Trinidad All Stars Pan Yard, Duke Street, Port-of-Spain. On Sunday, the comPANions Steelband Big 8 Knockout in six-a-side cricket finals will be held at Republic Bank Exodus Pan Complex, EMR, St Augustine, at 5 pm.
Pulse is also hearing whispers about Pan Trinbago planning this year’s first Pan in the Countryside. This column shall keep you posted.