Tourism secretary wants Tobago bands go global

THA Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris believes Tobago could lead the charge in taking the pan movement international.

She made the comment on January 27 at a welcome reception for Tobago’s small steelbands at the Scarborough port.

Belle Garden outfit T&TEC East Side Dimension retained its title in the national conventional band steelband championships, sharing first place with Golden Hands Steel Orchestra at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on January 26.

The band, led by arranger Kersh Ramsey, played Kitchener’s (Aldwyn Roberts) Rain-o-Rama.

Scarborough’s Uptown Fascinators and First Citizens’ Tobago Pan-thers, of Golden Lane, placed fifth and ninth, respectively.

A visibly excited Burris told supporters, “We have to take the steelband movement international and I think Tobago is the place to start. So that is a conversation we will begin to have with Pan Trinbago, certainly in support to the steelbands to continue to do the work they are doing in their communities.

“All in all, I am always proud to see our steel orchestras, our steelbands, our players, represent on the national stage and it is now for us to see how we can take that international. That is the focus, how can we get them out there. How can we organise for them to tour the Caribbean, tour the rest of the world.”

She said plans are also on stream to provide scholarships for the island’s up-and-coming arrangers.

“That will be announced very, very soon. But we will be focusing on providing support specifically for persons in the creative sector, specifically for persons who are studying pan.”

Burris regarded Ramsey, fellow arranger Ojay Richards and others as trailblazers.

“We are very proud of them. So the next generation of arrangers will be getting support from the Tobago House of Assembly.”

Reflecting on the performances of the Tobago bands in the competition, Burris said, “We have something great happening in our communities. We have something great happening with our steel orchestras. “What I appreciated was the family vibe. Everybody was supporting everyone so it wasn’t a situation where it was strict competition. It was Tobago as a love and wherever we go we compete as an island, as Tobago.”

She said T&TEC East Side Dimension’s success sets the stage for an “epic showdown” in the national medium band final on February 23 at the parade grounds of the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet.

“You know the Trinidad bands coming to get their revenge but the trophy is staying in Tobago.”

Ramsey, who also arranges for medium band champions, Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, is hoping for a hattrick with the Black Rock band in the upcoming competition.

The division’s assistant secretary Niall George also thanked the Tobago bands for the success they achieved in the competition.

“We know it would have been a lot of hard work, many nights into mornings and I know my boy, Kersh, like to drill you all hard in those crunch times,” he said.

“I don’t want to forget the two other bands. They may not have placed as highly as you all but they performed creditably. I was there, myself, and the performances were par excellence.”

On East Side Dimension’s victory, George said, “It wasn’t an outright win but you all set the standard. First is first, nevertheless, and it just says a lot about the talent we have in Tobago, about the work ethic we have in Tobago and you all have made us very proud.”

The reception featured drumming from the Jabali Entertainers. A Dame Lorraine character and moko jumbie were also on hand to entertain the players, supporters and onlookers.