Queen's Hall, NPATT host Tres Noches de Parang

QUEEN’S Hall general manager Garfield George said if the entertainment sector is to recover a collaborative approach is needed.

The Queen’s Hall sought to do just that by partnering with the National Parang Association of TT (NPATT) to host the three-night event called the first annual Tres Noches de Parang, at which some of the country’s top parang bands sang some of the genre’s biggest hits to a physically-distanced audience. It ran from October 4 - 6. BB Serenaders, Solo Para Ti and Los Amigos Cantadores performed on December 4; Los Ruisenores, VozMusic and Los Alumnos de San Juan on December 5 and Dominic Thompson and Friends, Una Solo Voz and Amantes de Parranda on December 6.

George spoke at the second night of the event and said, “We know all too well that the entertainment industry has felt, excessively, the impact of the pandemic. The restrictions associated with the pandemic included the cancelling of events, the low selling of tickets and the halt in tourism has further aggravated the industry

“The covid19 pandemic has no boundaries, no race and no religion but as someone said, ‘The show must go on.’”

He thanked the association for the show saying, “We are here truly as one and we know if this industry is to recover we need to work together.”

George said it was a step in the right direction to forge synergies between entertainment bodies and organisations to achieve the desired goals.

George added this did not only showcase the performing arts but also brought life back to the stage so people could experience the emotion live entertainment brings.

Video by Melissa Doughty pic.twitter.com/ltgrPl9E8b

— T&T Newsday (@Newsday_TT) December 8, 2020

He added this did not only showcase the performing arts but also brought life back to the stage so people could experience the emotion live entertainment brings.

“As the leading theatre facility in TT, we are ensuring that your safety is our top priority. In addition to the rigorous cleaning, professional usher service, social distancing seating and meals boxed to go. You can ease your mind and safe theatre experience knowing that the facility has been sanitised before this event,” George said.

The show on October 5 got on to a prompt start at 7.30 pm. Before entering the venue, attendees washed their hands and their temperatures were taken, the new normal at any public space in TT now.

Ushers directed people to their seats and ensured that social distance was maintained.

The show began with VozMusic, followed by Los Ruisenores and then closed off with Los Alumnos De San Juan. Parang fans were treated to hits like Los Alumnos de San Juan’s Despacito parang remake to the late parang queen Daisy Voisin’s Rio Manzanare.

During Los Alumnos de San Juan’s set, the band leader and president of the NPATT Alicia Jaggasar asked the audience what they wanted to hear, one member shouted, “A Daisy.”

Each band sang for about 30-45 minutes.

At times, members of the audience were encouraged to clap along to the music and even shoulder dance. Some danced in their seats.

Holly Betaudier Jr hosted the event, taking the audience down memory lane, at times, with stories from his father, Holly Betaudier.

For some of the attendees it was a relief to be able to be entertained again.

“The show was very good in the first place and I really feel relieved to be back out enjoying the show,” Junior Peters from Arima said.

Similarly Winston Brown said, “It was great. I missed my shows this year and I am glad they’ve started again.”

When the show ended at 9.30 pm, the audience members were ushered from their seats and received their food boxes on the way out.

The Queen’s Hall sought to do just that by partnering with the National Parang Association of TT (NPATT) to host the three-night event called the first annual Tres Noches de Parang. Video by Melissa Doughty pic.twitter.com/nlScPCU9cY

— T&T Newsday (@Newsday_TT) December 8, 2020