San City Steel Symphony hosts Culture on Carib Street

San Fernando is gearing up for a vibrant celebration on November 15 as Carib Street transforms into a hub of music, dance and creative expression.

From 11 am-11 pm San City Steel Symphony will host Culture on Carib Street – 12 Hours of Culture, an expanded evolution of its annual Children’s Jamboree.

There will be a mixture of all the indigenous art forms from pan to kaiso, extempo, soca, chutney, parang, spoken word, masqueraders, with engine rooms, tassa and African drums keeping the tempo alive.

Traditionally held in August, the event was shifted to coincide with San Fernando’s 37th anniversary as a city and now embraces a wider audience. “This year we wanted to offer something for everyone – children and adults, all lovers of culture,” said San City band manager Aquil Arrindel.

The day opens with a lively four-to-five-hour children’s programme featuring bouncy castles, games and performances by Junior Calypso King Xhaiden Darius, dancer Ariella Rishana Jugoon, extempo talent Kevan Calliste, Presentation College Drummers, spoken-word artiste Colleen Cleghorn, and mas presentations by Cari Vog Kids and Anra Bobb and Friends.

After 4 pm, vibes will continue as the spotlight shifts to adult performers and powerhouse steel orchestras. Music lovers can look forward to the sweet sounds of 12-time Panorama champions Desperadoes alongside Siparia Deltones, Tornadoes, Birdsong, Kalomo Kings and hosts SanCity.

The evening’s lineup also boasts extempo maestro Abebele, calypsonians Impulse and Ras Kommanda, soca star College Boy Jesse, Blaka Dan, Chutney Soca champion Daddy Chinee, Los Alumnos De San Juan parang band and adult mas presentations.

Arrindel said the entire area has been transformed into a festive setting. The car park between Presentation College and the SanCity panyard has been paved and will serve as the main arena for one of two stages for performances, tents, given the food rainy season, vendors and a bar.

Arrindel promises this is definitely a “don’t-miss, entirely free cultural experience.”