SteelPan For So in Tobago

Today is World Steelpan Day. Well it was when I started writing this post on 11th August. This was declared by the United Nations on 24th July 2023. The country is celebrating this honour with lots of pan events (of course) this weekend.

As it happens I had already planned to write about my experience of a number of recent pan concerts in Tobago. It was all because of the Tobago Heritage Festival which took place from July 21st to August 1st 2023. I had no idea that this festival was such a big deal. It not only featured cultural events like calypso and Miss Heritage Personality competitions, old-time Carnival and the famous Moriah Ole Time Wedding, but many people took advantage of the opportunity and put on private shows and gigs. Right now, the island is full of Trini visitors for the ‘Summer’ holidays. I was driving through the Crown Point ‘strip’ during the festival time and the road was blocked with people because of a live band on the side of the street, celebrating Tobago Heritage. I also got to enjoy a special Heritage meal put on by a friend of a friend.

My first steelpan event was called Heritage Happening and took place at the tennis courts next to the Dixie Land panyard. The ticket price of $200 included a free juice and a box of local snacks. It featured a small band of beginners plus Dixie Land Stage Side and the excellent NGC La Brea Nightingales Steel Orchestra. The latter (from Trinidad) reached the Panorama large band finals this year. We were also treated to a lady jazz singer. Plenty of talent in Tobago! I am considering signing up for pan lessons with the band of beginners. I actually have my own tenor pan from playing with a small fun band a few years ago.

The following week I attended the free Heritage Sea and Pan festival at the impressive Katzenjammers pan theater in Black Rock. We were presented with eight tents set up around the large paved area outside the main building, which was also very spacious. Each tent featured a small pan side that played in turn once the event started about 45 minutes late.

I did not realise that the steelpan was so prevalent in Tobago, as these were amongst the best of the local small and medium sized bands. Apparently, they are often featured as winners in Trinidad’s prestigious Panorama competition. In fact, Katzenjammers (the pride of Black Rock) won the medium band category this year.

Here are Katzenjammers, NGC Xplosion and Natural Mystic in action, with Alpha Pan Pioneers below. The headline photo with the saxophonist features Metro Stars steel orchestra. They were all brilliant with different styles, some playing exuberant soca, others more laid-back tunes. There wasn’t a huge crowd present but enough to prevent me from getting a photo of the other bands.

Several other smaller pan events were advertised but I couldn’t manage all. I am just happy that the steelpan is so alive on this island, and hopefully presented throughout the year. One tip: if you don’t want to be standing for hours listening to the music, then come early to grab one of the limited chairs!