By Terry Joseph

Solo Pan Knights and Potential Symphony put in a splendid showing at the latter’s pan theatre in Malick on Wednesday night, as the LaventillE Steelband Festival Panyard concert series got underway.

A small gathering, presumably the result of low-keyed advertising, was on hand to take in two sets by each band, scampering into the covered section of the theatre for shelter during the first outing by Pan Knights, as rains came.

On hand were Pan Trinbago officials Anthony Mc Quilkin and Fitzroy Henry and Veteran judges Merle Albino de Coteau and Jocelyn Pierre, to hear Pan Knights (featuring Tamba Gwinde on percussion) render a number of their best love pieces and the host band, featuring Earl Brooks answer with equal articulation.

Missing from the advertised programme were San Juan All Stars and Marsicans.

The series was scheduled to continue last night with Harmonites hosting Pashphonics and the Laventille Rhythm Section.

Tomorrow night, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars will accommodate Blue Diamonds and Freelancers at their Duke Street panyard from 8:p.m., while on Sunday, it is the turn of Witco Desperadoes, where Laventille Serenaders will participate from 6:p.m.

Pamberi is turning their slot into a cultural extravaganza on Monday night at their San Juan Old Road home, with what band manager Nestor Sullivan described as a special mixture designed to also embrace the youth of the area.

The concert, which begins at 8:p.m., will open with a dance to Sparrow’s "Slave", music coming from a quartet of soprano pan, double seconds and guitar, with Omari Babb on djimbe drum. "This is our salute to the Emancipation observance", Sullivan said.

The evening continues with rapso from Ozy Merrick, pan and calypso from T n T Treasures, featuring Selwyn "Mini-eyes" Springer and vocalist Kerwyn Trotman, the hip group H20 Phlo, saxophonist Dawud Orr, pan soloists Martin Cain (from Despers/National Steel), a counterpart from Pan Jammers and virtuoso Earl Brooks; all corralled by host Trevor Armstrong, Pamberi’s Tobago representative.

"We have worked out a very tight show that will flow well from the opening number to the end of the evening," Sullivan said. "And while it is designed primarily to entertain the people of the village, our repertoire is such that it excludes no one and indeed, we hope to see people from all over coming to the panyard for what we think is an extraordinary show."

The week of concerts continues Tuesday with Tokyo at home to Spree Simon Harmonix, on Wednesday Courts Laventille Sounds Specialists host Uni Stars and a tamboo group and bpTT Renegades closes the series Thursday with Belmont 5th Dimension, Harlem Syncopators and Worldwide Symphony at their Charlotte Street panyard.

The Laventille Steelband Festival’s street parade takes place on the Eastern Main Road, Success Village on Sunday August 3, from 4:p.m.