Bands favour ‘Boogsie’ music for Republic Fiesta

Twenty-seven of the steel orchestras participating in the first ever “Republic Steelband Fiesta” have chosen to play music composed by ace pannist Len “Boogsie” Sharpe. A presentation of Pan Trinbago in collaboration with the National Carnival Commission (NCC), the competition requires all participating bands to “play a calypso that has been composed by one of our established Panorama arrangers.” The competition, which begins Friday, will feature single pan and conventional orchestras and be conducted at two levels — Regional Championships and National Republic Fiesta Final.

The Regional Championships itinerary is as follows:
Friday September 5 — South Central — Cipero Street, San Fernando
Saturday September 6 — Eastern Region — O’Meara Road, Arima
Sunday September 7 — Northern Region — South Quay, Port-of-Spain
Saturday September 13 — Tobago — Milford Road, Scarborough.
The National Republic Fiesta Final takes place at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, on September 20. According to the rules, bands will perform on the move but will be judged at a stationary point along the route.
The event was launched at The Club House, Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah last Wednesday. Addressing the gathering were NCC chairman Kenny De Silva and Pan Trinbago President Patrick Arnold, who expressed the hope that the media would do its all to support the event.
Other composers whose works will be showcased include Earl Rodney, Ken “Professor” Philmore, Ray Holman, Cecil Hume (the late Maestro), Anthony Williams, Brian “Bean” Griffith, Robert Greenidge, Winsford Des Vignes, Clive Bradley, Selwyn “Parry” Paul, Godwin Bowen, Pelham Goddard, Lincoln “Fats” Waldron and Dennis Smith.
Prize money totalling over $1.2 million is at stake in the contest.
Winner of the final in the single pan category earns $15,000 while the conventional category winner will take home $50,000.