Setting the tune – Panorama 2020 launched
DPI, Guyana, Monday, January 13, 2020
The Republic Bank’s Panorama 2020 competition has been launched with a concert entertaining the Sunday seawall crowd with the sweet sounds of steelpan from the bands participating this year.
The bands on show at the Kitty Seawall Bandstand included the 2019 champion Guyana Police Force Steel Band, The National School of Music and Steel Band, Caribbean Airlines Parkside Steel Orchestra.
Among the onlookers was Minister of Public Telecommunication, Hon. Catherine Hughes, who explained that the steelpan concert is one of her favourite events during the Mashramani season.
“I know that every year they do this and it is always a fabulous occasion for me to enjoy the breeze, the comfort and beauty of the seawall and of course good steel pan music. I think occasions like this really shows you the level of our Panorama competition has improved and raised over the last couple of years,” she added.
Another spectator and steelpan enthusiast, Makayla (only name given) said she learnt of the show via Facebook and added: “I am here to support all the way through the Mashramani season.”
Mash Coordinator Andrew Tyndall told DPI that the event helps to raise the public’s awareness about the competition.
“The (steel band) season runs for over five weeks; it is the time where a lot of the steel bands will start their preparation for the Panorama. It is our biggest events for Mashramani season, and so this being the Republic Golden Jubilee, we thought that instead of the bands doing a separate launch we would bring them all together and have one launch where people can come to enjoy sweet steelpan music,” he said.
Tyndall is encouraging persons to check out the Mashramani calendar of events on the Department of Culture’s Facebook page.
“Whatever is your liking there is an activity for you, ranging from film, fashion, culinary, chutney songs and dance to soca, Republic lecture series among others. We have created 50 activities for this year’s 50th Republic Anniversary, and we want everyone to get involved,” he added.
Tyndall said the Pan Minors Steel Band competition would be held on February 13 at the Theatre Guild while the Large Band Steel Band competition was scheduled for February 16 at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Similar steel band concerts will be hosted at No. 53 Village on January 19 with others to follow in Bartica and Linden.