Youlou Pan Movement

The Youlou Pan Movement is looking forward to a greater presence of steel bands in 2011 Carnival activities held both at Carnival City Victoria Park and elsewhere.

That’s the word from Head of the Youlou Pan Movement Warren Knights. Speaking at a Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) press conference on Monday May 23rd Knights said that the increased presence and involvement will come in addition to the usual junior and senior panorama as well as in pan’s involvement in J’ouvert, Miss Carival and pre carnival activities like the Youlou Pan Movement panorama launch on Sunday May 22nd.

Knights described the launch as successful while he noted that the pan sides were of an extremely high standard.
“The enthusiasm from the audience and the skill and youthful exuberance displayed by the players speaks of the possibility for further growth and development of the steel pan movement in SVG”, said Knights.

The Pan Head said that the Youlou Pan Movement has recognized the need for pan to be more marketable and as a result they will engage in promotional drives to showcase pan and attract more interest to the art form.

“Previously we focused on park seats to be our main source of revenue but this year we want to reorganize our product from not just park seats but pan concerts and other functions in various communities”, said Knights who added, “all our efforts will be engaged in putting steel pan in the limelight and simultaneously start a conversation with the public as they experience the beauty of the steel pan”.
Meanwhile, The Vinlec Junior Pan Festival will take place on Sunday June 26th at Victoria Park and according to Knights is expected to attract upwards of 12 steel bands with an increase number of community steel bands this year.

“The Youlou Pan Movement takes this opportunity to thank Vinlec for understanding the vision and supporting junior pan for the 4th consecutive year”, said Knights who revealed that the number of sides taking part in this year’s senior panorama has moved up to seven.
Senior pan sides will compete in panorama during Steel and Glitter which will be held on Thursday June 30th. The sides are the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra, the Rhythmix Steel Orchestra, Potential Steel Orchestra, Elite Steel Orchestra and Southeast Steel Orchestra. The Starlift Steel Orchestra will be returning from a two year absence while the Dynamic Stars from Union Island will be taken part in panorama for the first time.

Knights said that Steel and Glitter is packaged with mas pan and other cultural activities, “and we believe that we have identified a successful formula for that Thursday”.

On Monday May 23rd, the Youlou Pan Movement received a donation from Head of the SVG Solidarity in Action Inc. Noel Jackson.
Jackson said that SVG Solidarity in Action Inc. is pleased to make the EC$5000 donation to Junior Panorama.
“We have only been around for eight months but in our enthiuasm to make our contribution to the wider community, we endeavored to make this small token”, said Jackson.

30,05.2011 - Story by Lyf Compton