I am now completely in the Christmas spirit, thanks to Success/Laventille Lions Club. On Sunday, the wonderful women of the club staged their 30th annual parang competition at Lions Civic Centre, Port-of-Spain, with a full house in attendance.
It was a day of fun, as aside from some keen competition from eight parang groups from across the country, valuable prizes were given to patrons brave enough to come forward and dance and sing a line or two from a parang song.
The competition was judged by Junior Howell, Freddie and Nancy Luces with Ken Wilson being the lone judge for the patrons’ dance-off. This year’s special guest of honour was Holly Betaudier who arrived at 1.40 pm, an hour before the actual competition began.
Last year’s joint winner Los Buenos Parranderos, from El Dorado, was the first band to face the judges, followed by Musica de Corazon from Paramin and La Ruela del Agua from Water Wheel, Diego Martin. Each band was fashionably attired and the three openers were followed by Las Buenas Nuevas of Santa Rosa.
With lunch being served throughout proceedings, and the bar being run by the members of St James Tripolians, emcee Holly Betaudier Jnr announced a break and introduced the day’s guest performers Carib Santa Rosa and Los Alumnos de San Juan. While Santa Rosa brought some of the old, Alicia Jagessar’s Los Alumnos depicted avant garde, down to their choreographed dance moves.
The competition was resumed by Los Amigos Cantadores from Trincity; La Familia de Rio Claro; Los Vikinos de San Jose (St Joseph); St Augustine’s Voces de Promesa; and Los Ruisenores of La Romaine. The actual competition ended at 6.55 pm, some five hours after it began.
After the dust had cleared Voces de Promesa, a group of young parranderos, nurtured from the annual schools’ parang competition, was announced winner to a thunderous ovation. It is obvious that this group has been inspired by Jagessar and Los Alumnos if one looked at their choreography and singing style, as well as elegant attire, a combination of gold and purple. The group also won the People’s Choice award.
Very few couples took to the dancefloor when the dance-off was announced, so it was an easy win for Best Dancers Claude Nimblett and Jennifer Prince. Hollis Clarke and partner placed second.
While the judges deliberated, the Lara Brothers entertained the parang lovers. A noticeable absentee in this year’s competition was last year’s joint champion Voces Jovenes.
Aside from Betaudier Snr, Sunday’s event was attended by a number of specially invited guests including Laventille West MP NiLeung Hypolite, Lions District 80A district governor Maxine Cummings, second vice president Nadine Bushell and regional and zonal chairpersons Patricia White and Diedre Hunte. Ensuring that guests and the media were well looked after was Success Laventille Lions president Dr Caroline Alexis-Thomas.
Arts alive in Tobago
It was an evening that dance and pan merged. Dance Pan Dance was held at the Scarborough Esplanade on November 1. The event was hosted by the Division of Community Development and Culture, in collaboration with Pan Trinbago.
The programme showcased the fusion of ten steelbands with various dance groups. Pan music was also played with other instruments, including the drums. Different musical styles, from Calypso tunes to Christmas songs, were performed. The dancers showcased their creative technique with performances that ranged from the tamboo bamboo to African dancing.
Calypso History Month was also celebrated in October in the sister isle. The Division of Community Development and Culture hosted a series of events in collaboration with Tuco to promote the preservation of the art form targeted to both youths and adults.
On October 31, Calypso Rose (now Dr McArtha Lewis) performed at the Signal Hill Secondary School. Honoured with a doctorate last month by the UWI, she was the first woman to win the national Road March title in 1977 with her song Tempo. Rose won the 1978 Calypso King Competition, which was subsequently renamed the Calypso Monarch.
During the month, a series of workshops were also held throughout the month on topics such as playing the steelpan and the composition of a calypso.
In other Tobago news, veterans who served during WWI & II will be honoured on Remembrance Day (November 9) at James Park, Burnett Street, Scarborough. Cannons will be fired at the James Park parade between 10.40 am and 11.30 am.
Cruise for a cause
On November 15, at 3 pm, the Chancellor Hill Posse will host a cruise aboard the Harbour Master for member Robin Foster. One of the Caribbean’s renowned sound engineers, Foster has been under the weather, his ailment costing quite a lot of money. To raise funds to offset his medial expenses, the Posse’s cruise will be served by a collection of popular artistes and disc jockeys. The Harbour Master is moored at Econo Cars Pier, next to Peakes, Western Main Road, Cocorite.
For tickets and information call Gordon (680 6545); Faiz (788 1968) or Tony (680 3260).
Pan on D’Bay
Maple Leaf International School’s PTA will be hosting Pan on D’Bay, a fund-raising event featuring the Massy Trinidad All Stars and the Maple Leaf Ensemble tomorrow at O2 Park, Chaguaramas from 5 pm.
Maple Leaf has cultivated a vibrant pan ensemble since the school’s inception in 1994 and it is most fitting that part of its 20th anniversary celebrations include the goal of raising $160,000 to purchase new pans for the school.
Maple Leaf places music at the centre of literacy, not only for the social benefits, as research has shown that students in music programmes have higher test scores and cognitive development.
Studies have also shown that music produces students who show higher levels of mathematics proficiency, develop a greater language capacity and a greater ability to learn a new language.
Aside from All Stars, patrons will also be entertained by Phase II Pan Groove prodigy Johann Chuckaree, hailed as a protégé of Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and soca artiste Michael Allen. Music will be provided by DJ Kern Crosby.
Maple Leaf International School is a private co-educational, independent day school offering classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Established in 1994, and located in Alyce Heights, Petit Valley, Maple Leaf is registered with both the Ministry of Education in T&T and Ontario, Canada. Graduates earn an Ontario High School Diploma, in compliance with the curriculum requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Education in Toronto.
The school places a balanced emphasis on academics, service achievements, leadership opportunities, as well as athletics and the arts. Maple Leaf offers a seamless transition from elementary to high school with a supportive and close-knit community of students, parents, staff and alumni.
Food and drinks will be on sale, and secured parking is available.
Tickets, priced at $200, can be purchased at the office of Maple Leaf International School. For information about tickets and the event, call 632-9578.
