Despers celebrates with virtual show

COVID19 may have prevented 2020 Panorama champions Desperadoes Steel Orchestra from celebrating its win earlier in the year, so the orchestra is hosting a virtual show to make up for it.

The concert, The Championship Christmas Celebration, will take place on December 25 at 8 pm.

Financial officer and member of production team for the concert Kwesi Moore told Newsday the show will be carried live on TTT online and the TTT YouTube channel, as well as on the Desperadoes Facebook page and YouTube channel.

"This is the first time the orchestra is doing a virtual show. Other bands have done it but not on this scale. Despers has been associated with many firsts, this concert is no different. We have set a high bar."

The two-hour-long show will feature Desperadoes Steel Orchestras and its youth orchestra, Nailah Blackman, Freetown Collective, parang queen Alicia Jaggasar, pannist Robert Greenidge and Carlton "Zanda" Alexander.

"It's a two-part show. There will be a Christmas segment, followed by a Carnival segment."

Moore said the band played at different recording locations, including the Rooftop Panyard in Laventille and the National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port of Spain.

"Despers does not have an outdoor rehearsal area, which would have been ideal given the pandemic situation, so we had to join two tents and spread out the players. Everyone wore their masks, of course, and followed all the safety protocols."

He said the show has helped to lift the morale of band members because playing pan is a passion for most of them and being unable to do so because of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic had them down.

"And especially since we didn't get to celebrate our 12th Panorama win. The show is also to make up for it.

While the show is free, Moore said the band will be accepting donations.

"Donations can be made via fundmett.com to The Championship Christmas Celebration and direct deposit to Desperadoes Steel Orchestra's FCB Park Street account 1503338."