Ebuzz News
Archived: Pan on the Greens Loses Patron Support. Caesar’s Army Scores!
Soca artistes, Lyrikal and Dev, along with DJ Stephen, Merry Perry and their crew, were on the Greens.
Pan on the Greens may have suffered an incredible blow yesterday as the usual swarm of patrons failed to make an appearance, leaving the aisles throughout the extended Savannah area relatively clear and vibe-less. Crews like Scorch, Caesar’s Army and even Island People were noticeably absent and while the PanTrinbago organizers seemed to have put in that extra effort to deliver a safe and clean environment, the usual vibe of an event that was, for the most part, a staple within the carnival, just never showed itself.
Bmobile, Courts, Pandemoinum, Junior Sammy, Powder Posse, Carib and a few other usual crowd pullers were in the mix but the buzz kill prior to the event, seemed to have worked. Wondering what buzz kill? Well, reports by several crews, among them, Caesar’s Army, of restrictions implemented by the organizers and fees for various things, definitely caused an impact. They had made their displeasure heard and by our observation, yesterday’s poor turnout at the Greens was clearly an indication that patrons had been deterred from attending.
Soca artiste, 5 Star Akil is flanked by the ladies of Pandemonium on the Greens.
One of the crews who impressed yesterday despite it all, was Pandemonium. Its group of five female organizers made every effort to ensure that their supporters were satisfied, decking off their booth uniquely in checkered picnic colors to match their picnic theme. Their vibe was incredible too. Pandemonium offered an awesome flow of drinks, including alcoholic smoothies and alcohol laced snow cones even. They also impressed with their DJs and drummer who delivered endless vibes to patrons, for what it was worth.
Bacchanal Road at The Soca Drome.
PHOTO CREDIT: My Carnival Action
On the other side of town, there were reports of mad vibes as promotional outfit, Caesar’s Army, known for creating epic scenes of excitement, did just that at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, which has adopted the carnival title- Soca Drome in recent years. Bacchanal Road, the event that called on fetters to dust off their old carnival costumes to re-live the Carnival Monday experience, prior to this year’s street parade, has one day later, been dubbed a huge success with some already crediting the promotional team for their vision and desire to deliver a fresh option to those who had one year prior, lived for the Pan on the Greens excitement. Machel Montano was even at the event, taking the opportunity to film his video for his Road March contender, “Waiting On De Stage”, much to the thrill of the jammers at the Soca Drome.
The semi finals of the National Panorama Competition meanwhile, also received its share of support, many having opted to head to the North Stand to enjoy the sound of steel. In the end, Phase II Pan Groove emerged the top contenders in the semis while Supernovas placed second and former champs, Desperados tied with the Trinidad All Stars for third place.
Ebuzz News
‘I Am Legend’ Concert Promoter, Glenroy Watson Has Passed Away.
Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.