The Government has allocated a whopping $30 million to the steelband movement for Panorama 2010, says Culture Minister Marlene McDonald. She gave details during yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's. She said for 2010, $2.2 million was invested in 148 unsponsored steelbands, comprising 64 single pan and 84 conventional bands.
"For the overall growth of the steelpan movement in 2010, Government also proudly invested, through Pan Trinbago, $24 million in steelbands, and by extension thousands of pannists," McDonald said. "An additional $1.5 million is being provided as a result of the increase in the number of finalists in the small, medium and large (band) categories." They all increased from eight to ten, respectively.
The minister said the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is providing an additional $2.2 million "to facilitate the preparation of the five medium and one large steelband from Tobago in the finals of Panorama 2010." She said $8 million was invested "in the innovativeness of the member bands of the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA, and by extension, the thousands of masqueraders and mas lovers of our country." McDonald described yesterday's historic re-enactment of the Canboulay Riots in San Fernando "was a resounding success."
It takes place in Port-of-Spain from 5 am today. The minister said Dimanche Gras 2010, taking place on Sunday at the Queen's Park Savannah, would be significantly better than in previous years. The Government's band Divine Echoes will perform for guests from 5.45 pm, while the competition for Calypso Monarch and the King and Queen of Carnival will commence at 7 pm.
Calypso not dying
Mc Donald said the calypso art form is not dying in T&T. She said that in response to questions at yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's. She said there may be a greater demand for soca music which was a form of calypso. "We can still hear those good, old calypsoes and I don't think it's dying at all," McDonald added. She urged all citizens to act responsibly for Carnival celebrations 2010.