Diaz: No pan in Rio

Diaz was addressing a very small number of pan music lovers at CAL Invaders Pan Theatre on Tragarete Road, Port-of-Spain. The occasion was the Northern Region of Pan Trinbago’s After Work Lime.

It was the first major event in Pan Month which is celebrated in August.

Diaz went on to explain why August is Pan Month, “The late Prime Minister Patrick Manning declared pan the National Musical Instrument in 1992 and since then we have celebrated steelband month for the last 24 years.” Diaz continued, “It was in August of 1949, all the warring fractions in the steelband movement came together to form the association behind the bridge in St Paul Street. That is the history of Pan Month in a nutshell.” Diaz thanked the Northern Region for putting on the event and also thanked the patrons for supporting the effort. He said there are many more events to come in steelband month and look forward to the support of Trinidad and Tobago pan music lovers.

Other events for Pan Month include a visit to the Foundation Stone in St Paul Street, a Tribute to Milton Wire Austin of Fonclaire, Skinner Park, Love Yuh Own Renegades Pan Theatre, an Interfaith Service at City Hall Knox Street, Port-of-Spain, 1 2 3 Plus Desperadoes Pan Theatre, Youth Fest Larry Gomes Stadium and Sport and Family Day..