Stage upset at small steelpan competition

The delay was the only blip in an otherwise smooth show which saw Diego Martin-based Merrytones doing the hattrick in taking the National Small Bands finals while La Horquetta Pan Groove held off the challenge of 16 other bands to take the Single Pan title.

The delay brought back memories of a similar incident which marred the pre-Dimanche Gras show (also held at Skinner’s Park) on Tuesday.

Fire officials said it was by "pure luck" the loose plywood was discovered before any of the bands started their performances and had Lady Luck not smiled on the organisers, people could have gotten injured since the weight of the steelpans as well as people, could very well have caused more strips of ply to come loose or break.

The Panorama competition suffered a 45-minute delay when a piece of plywood came loose from the stage. Firemen halted the show. The plywood stage was erected by the San Fernando City Corporation at a cost of $160,000.

Fire officers were summoned by Pan Trinbago officials who requested an inspection of the stage at 7 pm. Some 17 small and eight medium sized steelbands performed on the night. It was by sheer luck that the discovery was made before bands went on stage, according to firemen at Mon Repos headquarters. Under the watchful eyes of fire officers, several sheets of plywood were replaced. The work was also supervised by Pan Trinbago and SFCC’s convenor Alderman Junia Ragrello.

It was noticed that the piece of plywood was shifting precariously on the stage. There was also a large hole in another piece of plywood.

At 7.45 pm, the all-clear was given and the show, which was scheduled to begin at 7 pm, kicked off with San Juan All Stars performing "Fire Coming Down." The tune was arranged by Carlon Harewood and Anslem Campbell.

However, it was the LH Pan Groove playing "Party Time," arranged by Duvonne Stewart, which enthralled the small, but appreciative crowd. The crowd gradually increased in size as the competition progressed into the night, ending at 2 am yesterday.

In the Small bands finals, Merrytones, which performed "Colours Again," arranged by Seion Gomez, was a clear crowd favourite. They successfully defended their title against the seven competing bands.

Pan Trinbago South/ Central’s acting chairman, Elton Bain, described the show as an overall success despite the initial reluctance of the North-based bands to compete in the finals.

"The show went smoothly despite the late start which was beyond our control," he said.

He said audience attendance was also "quite good" with all available space in the stands occupied by spectators.