Email

Print

Right now at the House of Culture an event known as the Pan Yaad Concert is being held. It is a concert that features four steel bands which together form a 120 piece ensemble to create a sound like no other. It is organized by the Carnival Association and the Institute of Creative Arts. ICA’s Director Greg Vernon says it is being held in an attempt to revive the pan.

Greg Vernon, Director – Institute of Creative Arts
“The pan itself is an original instrument out of the Caribbean and we feel very close to the pan and this gives us our Caribbean heritage. Tonight at the House of Culture we will be looking at four steel bands that will be working together and playing together so it will be something to look forward to because it is a time when a 120 piece steel pan will be working together and making music.

We will be listening to each of the bands play individually for a period of time also and then they will be merging together in doing this piece. What we have done is merge these bands together and to make a great sound and I am sure it will be something for the public to look forward. It is something that the children should look forward and that is why we’re saying children that are accompanied by adults or parents or guardians should enter free because we feel the pan instrument, we should be encouraging it and developing it to be part of Belize’s culture.”

And while the pans are playing sweet and mellow melodies tonight, as you may have heard in the background a while ago – the carnival revellers are going through the streets with loud, pumping music right now.