Discover the joy of playing the Steelpan. Learn about the history, technique and play a simple song.
Classes offered at Eastern Commerce C.I. through Afropan Steelband.
This year they have added a class for children ages 5-7 as well classes for adults.
If you have always wished that you could play, want to learn, wished your children could learn and are finally ready to stop saying and start doing....HERE IS YOUR CHANCE! 1-2-3-GO!
Pan Man Pat on the Tenor pan and Jeff on the Dudup
"I had fun!" and "Are you coming back tomorrow?", were some of the comments from the participants from this afternoons workshop "Steelpan With Sue" at the Sanderson Library. As part of Culture Days, the 3 day cross Canada event showcases artist and their art and gives them a chance to share it for with the public for free.
The instrument is still pretty new to a lot of people. Sometimes you meet someone that is in total awe and can't understand how the sound is produced. I have had a few people even look for the "button" to see where I turn on the music.
Why did I choose to be part of this festival?
I found it necessary to educate not only through discussion but really wanted the participants to be hands on the instruments. There are so many stereotypes and misconceptions about steelpan. I really wanted those that attended to understand the struggles that people had decades earlier with their instruments and throughout the development of this one. I guess you can say that I want it to be given the same respect one gives as any other instrument. It's not a "metal garbage can that we've turned upside down, hit with sticks and notes come out of it". It doesn't "only play calypso and reggae music" and isn't "only played by men". This 20th century musical wonder has come a long way and is widely accepted by people all over the world.
Special thanks for making this workshop possible: CultureDays, Dyann from CultureDays, Sung-Min and her staff from the Charles S. Sanderson Library, Ian Jones of the Ontario Steelband Association, L.E.A.P. Branding, Margarette D., Earl L., Wayne D, Isaiah V-D)
Hooray, my workshop Steelpan With Suzette is finally here!
Upon bringing the instruments to the library for my workshop, my roadie and I offloaded the pans onto the grass. Unintentionally it initially looked like an instillation an upcoming art festival. It certainly got a lot of attention from passers-by and motorists too.. We got a few honks of "support" for our "cause". Quite a few people walking by inquired as to what our display was all about and wanted to know what time we would be playing. Hilarious.
Arriving at Sanderson Library with the instruments for the workshop
Photos by Dewitt Lee
I was recently interviewed by Diana, a librarian from York Woods Library which is also a host of the Culture Days festival. Here's a sneak peak of what was discussed.
D!ana: How did you first get into steelpan?
Suzette: A friend of mine, Monifa Colthurst, was playing with Toronto's oldest steel band, Afropan, and invited me to a rehearsal. At the time I was a teenager on summer break and the band was rehearsing every evening preparing for the annual Caribbean parade, Caribana. I found myself attending their rehearsal quite often as the music was infectious. The environment was so friendly, everyone was happy to be there and made me feel welcome.
D: What was it that really got you hooked and inspired you to teach steel pan? S: Seeing that the steelpan was limitless to the genres of music
that could be played excited me. It is often thought that because the
steelpan was birthed in the Caribbean, Trinidad & Tobago, Calypso
and Reggae were the only types of music played. Many people are often
surprised when they hear a pannist playing Classical, Jazz, R&B and
even cultural songs. My inspiration to teach came from ...
Went to Sun Life to pick up a free Bright Spots venue ID, buttons and post cards for my Culture Days workshop. These are great for helping to identify and promote my upcoming workshop. Thanks Stephanie!
Suzette with Luan, Gary and Adam, celebrating
It was that time of year again for the fun loving residence of a particular High Park loft to celebrate the end of summer with their annual roof top BBQ.
My second year being invited to entertain with melodies of the Caribbean were interrupted with threats of a downpour but we did manage to swing in some tunes before bringing the music inside to again enjoy without the inclemencies.
I had a wonderful time and would especially like to thank Luan, Adam and Gary for their hospitality of making me feel welcome.
Putting up posters promoting Culture Days upcoming 3 day, across Canada festival.
Culture Days workshop: Steelpan With Suzette
Join Suzette as she speaks about the Steelpan's origins, evolution and current innovations. Have fun while learning the proper technique of holding the sticks, stance and playing a Steelpan. Expect to learn a simple song, no musical knowledge required.
This is a FREE event for Adults and Children (7 & up)
About Culture Days
Culture Days is a collaborative coast-to-coast-to-coast volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. With the support of a National Steering Committee and volunteer Provincial and Territorial Task Forces, thousands of activity organizers self-mobilize at the grassroots level to present and coordinate free public activities that take place throughout the country over the last weekend of September each year.
The third annual Culture Days weekend will take place September 28, 29 and 30, 2012, and will feature thousands of free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind-the-scenes,” to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, designers and other creative people in their communities.
With thousands of activities registered at culturedays.ca, and with the support of media partners like the CBC, Globe and Mail and St. Joseph Communications (Canadian Family, Where, Fashion and Toronto Life magazines), Culture Days drives a multi-level national communications and public relations campaign designed to inspire and catalyze greater public participation in the arts and cultural life of our communities. A variety of free, useful Tips and Tools are available to support activity organizers throughout the process of planning, promoting and executing their Culture Days activities.
source:http://culturedays.ca/en/about-culture-days
Join Suzette Vidale as she speaks about the instrument's origins, evolution and current innovations.
Have fun while learning the proper technique of holding the sticks, stance and playing a steelpan. Expect to learn a simple song, no musical knowledge required.
Date & Times:
Saturday September 29, 2012 — 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Saturday, September 29, 2012 — 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location
327 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario
Registration required: 416-393-7653
THIS IS A FREE EVENT
Ezra Lataille, committee member of the Caribbean Pavillion, and Suzette
This was my fourth year being invited to participate in Diversity Day representing the Caribbean Pavilion. The day itself is a celebration of the many cultural heritages within the LCBO, showcasing the food, entertainment, costumes and art.
Highlights included performances on the main stage and diverse delectable selections from each pavilion.
Thankful to be invited to perform at the North York Seniors Centre.
Would
you believe I did something in my performance I have NEVER done
before...Sing. I'm not sure where the bravery came from but while I was
performing it felt right so I went with it *blush*
I also invited my father to come along on this performance. He's always full of surprises and guess what, he certainly did surprise us all. In his pocket was his harmonica. :) He played a few songs and received cheers and a round of applause. Who knew a rendition of Danny Boy could cause such a reaction.
Steelpan and harmonica, what do you think dad, it could work right?
It has been almost 2 decades of me either playing pan or "going down the road" with Afropan Steelband -Imagine that! I remember the Caribana of '92, in my new LA Gears, chipping down the road for first time with a steelband, holding on to the steelpan rack jamming to Second Imij's "On The Count of Four" - remember that chune?! After an entire summer of hanging out at Afropan's panyard, listening in at rehearsals, attending BLOCKOS, socializing and holding a pair of sticks & "knockin" on a pan for the first time, I knew I had join this group and play pan.
20 years later, as I watch the next generation of players I see the strange hairstyles, funky clothes and fresh shoes but realize the music maintains. There is still that happy vibe one feels when those notes hit your soul and you are taken to another realm to just be one with the music.
At the end of the day, all the energy, hard work and huge build up for a moment to share the music, the vibes and the culture with the world are totally worth it.
Last year's Pan Alive champs Afropan Steelband. Will they retain their title?
Afropan "The People's Band" Toronto's oldest Steelband made the front page of the Metro Toronto newspaper today, WOO HOO!
Special Thanks to Dr. Sheridan Cyrus & staff for their wonderful service today! Appreciating & loving the Steelpan in their logo
Hooray! I was accepted to participate in Culture Days, " a collaborative coast-to-coast-to-coast volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities".
Acceptance letter confirming I will be giving a workshop on the Steelpan.
Thought this was pretty cool!
