Celebrated drummer Tamba Gwindi was all smiles as a member of the panel judging Tuesday's drumology segment of the Prime Minister's Best Village Trophy Competition at Queen's Hall in St Ann's, Port-of-Spain. If not just for the level of excitement groups brought to the stage, but the number of youths–predominantly male–who are embracing the art in the production put on by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.
Ten exuberant groups hailing from all over the country, from the Youth Training Centre at Golden Grove in Arouca, in the county of St George East, to Vega de Oropouche Cultural Organisation from the county of St Andrew/St David, took the stage to perform on the night that could have easily been branded festival of the drums.
But since youths outnumbered adults at the event, the drumology segment of the north semifinal round might also have been called youth-fest. Almost all the contestants added a dance element to their presentations, which was well received by patrons.
LEFT: Lads from the Youth Training Centre wow patrons with their delivery.
RIGHT:These Recreation United Sports Club youths were exuberant during the group's presentation.