PAN IN THE PLAZA was really pan in the Frank Collymore Hall, but the rains on the outside did not water down the offerings of the 62 campers in the spotlight. Not for the first time, the annual end of camp performance by the students on the three-week summer pan camp, sponsored by the Central Bank of Barbados, was moved into the nearby hall last Saturday evening and the show continued as scheduled. The campers, who ranged from age 9 to 21 and representing 30 different schools, showed off their newly acquired or enhanced skills to family and friends who came out to lend their support.
Members of the Foundation School Steel Band served up a tasty appetiser with three presentations, I In Dat, Hot Sun & Riddim and Sunshine Girl With Friends. The Wind & Steel Ensemble, which was a combination of the campers and the Barbados Youth Orchestra, was up next with Wind Beneath My Wings and Flying Free. But it was really the evening for the campers, and the juniors were up first with a set that included Dreadlocks and Romance for Violins. The seniors showcased their arranging skills as well in Mr Dale’s Sweet Soca contender Drop It. They complemented that with Unthinkable, Something’s Happening and Soka Junkie.
Both bands later combined to bring the finale on the programme and this year’s camp. A special presentation was also made to coordinator Kentley Gill, who started the camp in 2002. During his opening remarks, advisor to the Central Bank Governor, Harold Codrington, noted that the bank endorsed anything to do with the arts, adding that the bank invested in youth as a human resource. (YB)