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..for Moods of Pan from the Antiguan Sun

Moods of Pan Festival launched

Saturday November 19 2005

by Nikisha Smith

Next weekend, will be the long awaited “Moods of Pan” festival, organised by the Gemonites Steel Orchestra.

The event, to be held at the Deanery Grounds, will run from 25 to 27 Nov.

The plans and participants of “Moods of Pan: Festival 2005” were revealed to sponsors and members of media at Jolly Beach yesterday.

Robin Margetson, vice president and public relations officer of the Gemonites Steel Orchestra reported that the Deanery Grounds will be transformed into a family den, offering not only music but other forms of entertainment to include games.

In celebration of its seventh anniversary, the Festival will be showcasing the best pannists from different countries.

The three-day festival kicks off next Friday with the “Vintage Pan” concert at the Cathedral Cultural Centre at 7:30 p.m.

Making its first appearance in Antigua & Barbuda, will be the oldest band in Trinidad, WITCO Desperadoes.

Also, appearing will be Cable & Wireless Hells Gate, the oldest band in Antigua, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, 2005 Trinidad champs and comedian McFingall of Barbados. Next Saturday will be the “Five-Alive International”, which will feature the music of King Obstinate.

Sixteen teams will be participating. England, New York, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Grenada and St. Vincent will each have a team representing and the other 10 teams will hail from Antigua.

The first prize up for grabs is US$2005.

The Taxik Band, featuring Claudette Peters (CP), will also perform at the end of the competition.

The final night will be the “Clash of Caribbean Champs” at the Deanery Grounds.

The WIOC Gemonites Steel Orchestra, Antigua’s 2005 champs, will be competing against Grenada’s 2004 champs, Courts New Dimensions, and Trinidad’s 2005 champs Petrotrain Phase II Pan Groove.

Also performing that night will be Aubrey “Lacu” Samuel and Ricardo Anthony & the Foreplay Band.

At the launch, Janelle Charles-Williams, on behalf of ABI Investment Bank, presented a check of $10,000 to Gemonites to show their support.

To date, the sponsors for this year’s pan festival number 15 in total. The Ministry of Tourism, realising the potential the event has to develop as an international cultural attraction has become the highest contributor to the event for this year although they only got on board last year

Other sponsors include Community First Co-operative Credit Union, formally the Antigua & Barbuda Teacher’s Credit Union, Jolly Beach Resort, Antigua & Barbuda Investment Bank, LIAT, Observer Radio, CaribSeas Ltd., Original Printery, Antigua Computer Technology, ABS Radio & TV, Columbian Emeralds International, Bailey’s Jewelry, Progress Music Shop, BWIA West Indies Airways, and WinAir.

Sounds nice... I think an imixer may be participating in the "Moods of Pan" competition....if so, good luck whomever you are.

I think dem gon be playin Obsti chunes like Haunting Melody, Come Alive, Hungry, Dancin Days ..plenty sweet music dey jac

I wish I could have gone .,..I would like to see that concert with Desperadoes and Hellsgate cause both of them can really put down a hell of a pan concert. I wonder how large a panside Despers and Phase II coming with?