By LAUREL V WILLIAMS Sunday, February 8 2009

UNDER a bright moonlit sky the semi-final round of the National Steelband Panorama competition kicked off at Skinner Park, San Fernando on Friday night. The event, which saw pan lovers as young as two years swaying to the sweet sounds of the national instrument, was held in honour of the late calypsonian, Mighty Duke.

Despite a late start, there were no reported hiccups among the 13 bands that participated in the competition. There was also a heavy police presence including armed members of the Southern Division Task Force.

The semi-final was expected to continue last night with the Tobago leg scheduled to take place at the car park of Dwight Yorke Stadium, Tobago.

First to grace the stage on Friday was the Point Fortin-based band Self Help Marines, which competed in the Single Pan Bands category. Giving a lusty performance of the popular song “More Wuk” by Patrice Roberts, the band had the medium-sized crowd, of all walks of life, dancing and singing in appreciation of the music.

Three more bands in the Small Band category competed before a panel of judges including: New Age Trendsetters of Enterprise, Chaguanas; Shades in Steel of Pointe-a-Pierre Road, Vistabella and Rio Claro Koskeros of Railway Road Rio Claro.

The song, “Ah Blue Crescendo”, which is composed and sung by De Fosto, was a favourite among the competitors of the Small Band category. Four of the five bands (Pan Elders, of Carib Street, San Fernando; Panasonic Connection, of Macoon Street, San Fernando; San City Steel Symphony, of Carib Street, San Fernando, and Tornadoes of Richardson Street, Point Fortin) performed this selection and on each occasion, the crowd roared in appreciation.

Old Tech, of Farah Street, San Fernando, was the third to perform but did the selection “First in Line” which is composed by Alvin Daniel and Edwin Pouchet.

TCL Skiffle Bunch, of Coffee Street, San Fernando, was the first of four bands in the Large Bands category. Garbed in white, the pan players performed Tony Prescott’s, “Pan Redemption”. Following them was Siparia Petrotrin Deltones with KMC’s 2009 hit “I’m not drunk”.

Wearing red, NLCB Fonclaire, of Dottin Street, San Fernando, gave a passionate performance of the song “Dangerous”. Another hit by De Fosto, “Dr Jit” was performed by Tropical Angel Harps, of the Southern Main Road, Chaguanas, and signalled the final performance in the southern city. Today the semi-final round ( North/East) continues at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.