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Resplendent
Tobagonian Marie Toby receives her award.
Zen
Dionne Jarrette
You
would literally have to write a book to list the achievements
and distinctions behind the names of all of the pannists
honoured at Pan Trinbago’s first President’s Ball
and Anthony Williams Awards ceremony.
The PCS Starlift panyard at Mucurapo Road Extension was
decorated with flowing fabric and balloons last Saturday
and everyone turned out in their finest to fete those who
have contributed to the national instrument.
Sharon Pitt hosted the night that saw awards go to some
of pan’s most notable names.
Anthony Williams himself sat in the front row to take in
the proceedings.
The prestige of the evening, coupled with a man with a chac-chac
who constantly shook it shouting “Bring yuh smile and
come!”—causing even the dignitaries to chuckle—made
the evening an interesting one.
Among the awardees was Tobagonian Bertille St Clair—a
name synonymous with football—who received a Pan Pioneer
award for his work with Our Boys Steelband in Tobago; he
and Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold being founding
members.
Another Tobagonian honoured—it seemed to be Tobago’s
night to shine—was Marie Toby of Patience Hill, who
received a Dedicated Service award, as the first woman to
lead a steelband in Tobago.
Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars, who won the National
Panorama 2007 championship in February, finally received
their mark of victory when a trophy was presented to a member
of their orchestra.
During her address, Minister of State in the Ministry of
Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Donna
Cox likened pan to Jesus Christ.
“Perhaps
it is timely that we are celebrating honorees of the steelband
movement at this time of the year when the international
community is paying homage to the Christ child who, like
steelpan, was born in humble circumstances but who has emerged
as the saviour of mankind,” Cox said.
Cox then presented former Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams
with an award for outstanding service.
The award may have been largely due to the fact that Yuille-Williams
was instrumental (no pun intended) in saving the Caribbean
Airlines Invaders panyard by having it declared a historical
site. The panmen were close to losing their orchestral home
of 67 years because they could not afford to purchase it
outright.
Pan Trinbago president Arnold, another Tobagonian, himself,
was also presented with an award for being continuos long
serving president.
When the formal part of the proceedings ended, the ball
began and with parang filling the air, everyone sat down
to enjoy a sumptuous meal and swap stories of the old, infamous
but romantic steelband days.
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