Pannists show off skills at Pan Alive
Posted August 2, 2013 11:24 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – The biggest festival of Toronto’s summer is getting underway.
Now in its 46th year, the Caribbean Carnival Toronto celebrates the culture of Trinidad, Jamaica and neighbouring islands.
The weekend-long party kicked off with Panorama – Pan Alive on Friday.
About 2,000 people braved the rain to take in the steel pans at Lamport Stadium.
Members of the Ontario Steelpan Association competed against each other in front of a panel of judges. The winner took home a $3,000 prize.
Trinidad-born Marlene did not want to miss the party, coming from Montreal with her dancing shoes.
“I’m here tonight because it’s my culture and at 76 years [old], I’m still flexible. I love the rhythm. I love the music. I don’t know when I’ll stop loving it and moving to the beat,” she told 680News.
Organizer Stephen Weir says the steel pan creates a unique sound.
“This is an instrument that was invented in Trinidad actually and what they did was they used old oil drums that washed up on shore. It’s a very special sound to it.”
On Saturday, revellers from around the world will gather in Toronto for one of the biggest parades on the continent. The Grand Parade is expected to draw one million spectators.
Read our preview here.
Find related road closures here.
