Laventille’s Panorama of dance

The festival, which has evolved into part of Emancipation celebration activities, was intended to be used as a tool to promote unity in the Laventille community.

The festivities began promptly at 5.05 pm with the arrival of President George Maxwell Richards and his wife Dr Jean Ramjohn Richards.

The dignitaries and hundreds of spectators lining the street were treated to the dance of celebration and thanksgiving and the story of the evolution of pan in dramatic united performance by members of the Malick Folk Performers and the Picton Folk Performers.

The hypnotic sounds of the drums and the well choreographed movements of the dancers, clad in their green and purple outfits, took the imagination of onlookers from the days when the slaves were forbidden to beat the drums, right up to the creation of the steelpan.

The presentation flowed smoothly into the introduction of the first band the Laventille Tamboo Bamboo Specialists, followed by the Laventille Rhythm Section. A total of 31 bands, including Phase II Pan Groove, WITCo Desperadoes and BP Renegades were carded to be part of the parade.

Culture Minister Joan Yuille- Williams, who delivered the feature address, proudly commented on how far our national instrument had come, adding that “we have given it to the world and the world has embraced it.”

She commended the foundation for extending the invitation to bands from other communities to join in the celebrations, adding that this was one of the positive events which helped paint Laventille community in a positive light.

Junior Culture Minister Eddie Hart also attended the parade.