WEATHER OUTSHINES PAN PERFORMANCES

True Panorama weather — bright sunshine and sweltering heat — prevailed yesterday, but up to 3 pm  the popular North Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah was still searching for that sell-out crowd of the National Panorama semi-finals. It was apparent that the raucous North Stand posse was awaiting evening, when the big bands would make their trek down the drag.

Birdsong from St Augustine first to perform among the big bands, was no where in the vicinity, other big bands due to follow included “big guns” like WITCO Desperadoes, Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars, bpTT Renegades, Phase II Pan Groove, and defending champions, Sagicor Exodus. By early afternoon the crowd, most fans with a drink in hand, appeared unconcerned with some of the performances on stage. The customary Panorama delay was in effect by 90 minutes after the scheduled official start of 11 am.  Pan Trinbago offcials up to noon, awaited the arrival of the tardy judges.
 
President George Maxwell Richards, his wife Dr Jean Richards; Minister of Culture, Joan Yuille-Williams and National Carnival Commission (NCC) Chairman, Kenny De Silva were among those in the stand. Although the Dj played the songs that bands were performing, there was no enthusiam from the crowds. None of the medium bands with their retro tunes were able to move the few fans in the Grand Stand and half full North Stand. Patrons entertained themselves with the music from the traditional rhythm sections, as they  waited for the large bands to takeover. Even as good weather prevailed throughout the day, strong gusts of wind blew dust across the stage, blinding players and tested the strength of the ladies carrying the banners. 

However, three bands from the medium category were able to deliver mediocre performances. They were HCL Valley Harps, one of the bands who played a more recent tune “From Beyond” by De Fosto, CLICO Sforzata played Shadow’s “Dingolay” and Sangre Grande Cordettes who performed Scrunter’s “The Will.” Other medium bands who performed were Harmonites, Tobago bands Carib Dixieland and NLCB Buccooneers, Tokyo, Courts Sounds Specialists of  Laventille, Potential Symphony, Melodians, Belmont Fifth Dimension, Arima Angel Harps, Parry’s Pan School and Excellent Stores Silver Stars.