- Guyana to showcase 100-piece steel orchestra
TRINIDAD and Tobago, which is home to the famous steel pan, intends to amaze the Carifesta X audience during the August festival in Guyana by showcasing some of its newest pan instruments.

The twin island Republic will be represented by a 300-member troupe.

Among this group will be a 40-member team from the island’s national steel band who will be the main players of the newly invented instruments referred to as “G-Pans.”

“G-Pans” have never been seen or heard outside of Trinidad and Tobago and will be showcased for the first time during Carifesta to be held during the period August 22 to 31.

The new pan group is expected to make its inaugural appearance at the National Cultural Centre on August 24 and will be accompanied by dancers, stick-walkers and singers.

Trinidad and Tobago Member of Parliament Junior Regalo who joined the many Regional Cultural Directors to witness the launching of Carifesta X Wednesday, is optimistic that Trinidad and Tobago will astonish the audience in Guyana.

After witnessing the launch, he acknowledged the relentless efforts by Guyana to host the festival, noting that it is a major achievement for Caribbean people.

Meanwhile, the Guyana delegation is gearing to put forward a stunning steel pan performance for Carifesta X with the establishment of a national steel orchestra.

The Joint Services Coordinating Council is tasked with the responsibility of putting together a hundred-piece steel band for Carifesta.

A public advertisement has been issued for interested persons to send in their applications to Chairman of the Joint Services Cultural Committee, Assistant Commissioner Cecil Bovell at the Guyana Police Force Band Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony had announced that in the lead up to the festival and beyond, steel pan in Guyana will be revitalised to expose youths across the country to the art form. Government has contributed $30M for this venture.

Government also intends to grant duty free-concessions to musicians bringing equipment into the country during the period.

Incentive packages for cultural workers and artistes were addressed at the Nineteenth Regional Culture Committee (RCC) meeting which will conclude today at the CARICOM Secretariat.

The meeting is expected to end with recommendations for the establishment of a Regional Task Force to focus on cultural industries in the Caribbean.