Town alive with sounds of pan

THE ‘shaggy bears’ excited fans with their athletic moves in Broad Street yesterday.

Sun, July 18, 2010 - 12:00 AM

THE RHYTHMIC steel pan beat, the gyrations of Mother Sally and the imposing stiltmen brought Bridgetown Alive yesterday afternoon.

The occasion was the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and Barbados Tourism Investment (BTI)-sponsored Bridgetown Alive: Pantabulous and it was a hit, judging by the audience response throughout the capital.

LH Pan Groove Steel Orchestra along with the Iron Massive and Ife Moko Jumbies pleasantly distracted dozens of shoppers who defied steady rain to take in the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) event, which started and finished at Jubilee Gardens.

Keisha Branch, one of the assistant festival event planners with the NCF, described the parade of floating culture as a success.

“The steel pan and tuk band music was well received by both Barbadians and tourists. The rains did not dampen their spirit,” she said.

The steel band ensemble made designated stops at Cave Shepherd, Norman Centre, Satjay Centre, Royal Shop and Abed’s, with the fans’ interest also being piqued by the six-member Casablanca steel band.

At the forefront of the musical march was a group of female dancers while teenage boys, Keemo Bryan and Edward George, showcased their skill on unicycles (one-wheel frames). Bryan, 14, and George, 16, both of whom hail from Rock Gap, New Orleans, weaved their way delightfully through the large crowds in Broad and Swan Streets. (MK)