Trinidad ---28 Sept. 2006----Laventille was in the spotlight when it unveiled the 'Eight of Hearts' Steelband music concert on Sunday September 24. This was the community's unique celebration in honor of Carifesta IX - with an offering of eight of the best steel orchestras in Trinidad and Tobago putting on star-studded performances on the grounds of the Laventille Community Complex.  When Steel Talks (WST) spoke with Sean Nero, Communications Director, Laventille Steelband Festival Foundation, who acknowledged that the show got of the ground a mere five minutes after the 7:00 PM scheduled start.

The line-up featured the stageside representations of some of the best known steel orchestras in Trinidad and Tobago, and indeed, the world.  Redemption Sound Setters hailing from the sister isle of Tobago, opened up the evening of performances, with arranger Winston Gordon (pictured right) directing them.   The southland was represented next with Skiffle Bunch's talented and world-traveled pan musicians delivering - like many of the orchestras for the evening - a diverse repertoire featuring R&B, soca, pop and in their case - classic selections.  Stevie Wonder's timeless Lately met with crowd approval; so too did a duet, All I Ask of You, with violinist Anselm Walters.

Pan and culture connoisseurs were treated to their fill of pan music for just over six hours, before the show came to an end shortly after 1:00 AM.  But before the final curtain came down, the spotlight would fall additionally on the likes of Desperadoes, reigning national panorama champions Phase II Pan Groove, Renegades, Trinidad All Stars, Starlift and Exodus.

More info at Pan In The Spotlight