T&T STEEL FOR MIAMI CARNIVAL
The Covid-19 pandemic has silenced the sound of pan in its native land but the national instrument will be alive and well represented when Miami Carnival is held on October 7-10. Massy Trinidad All Stars and Newtown Playboys will perform at the Miami Panorama competition on Friday, October 8 and at the Parade of Bands on Sunday, October 10.
The bands, both with the distinction of being National Panorama champions at home, will be guests of the Miami Broward One Carnival Committee.
This will be the third visit for two-time Single Pan champion Newtown Playboys to Miami Carnival. The 15-member Playboys contingent and 40-member All Stars touring party will first guest at the Miami Carnival Panorama, to be held at the Miami Dade County Fairgrounds from 5 pm.
Playboys will also join a cast of popular soca artistes as a guest at the after-parade concert which will be held at the same venue on the Sunday.
Lauderhill Pan Ensemble, the 2018 Miami Carnival Panorama champion, will be first steelband to face the judges on October 8. The band's arranger is New Yorker D'Shan Wallace.
Other steelbands billed to compete are Phase III Pan Stars, Resurrection Steel, Sticks N Stones, Melo Stars and Metro Steel.
For its guest performance at the Panorama, All Stars is expected to thrill pan lovers with some of its scintillating gems like "Woman on the Bass," "Curry Tabanca" and "Unknown Band."
Miami Carnival J'Ouvert will be held on October 9 and All Stars, powered by Savage Lion, will again be in attendance.
When Miami Carnival holds its Parade of the Bands on the Memorial Day Sunday, All Stars will again be participating in what is expected to be an explosion of colour and revelry presenting its traditional sailor mas, with lots of powder.
Depending on the availability of flights, the touring steelband ambassadors are expected to be back home by October 12.
This year's Miami Carnival is one with a difference as it's being staged under the theme "No Mask, No Mas-Play It Safe." The Miami Broward One Committee is insisting that patrons at each event must show a negative PCR test taken not earlier than October 6 and will be required to wear masks at all times during the event. Patrons must also walk with their own hand sanitizer. If they don’t, a mini hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry.