Congrats to Desperadoes on its new $14 million home in Port of Spain!
I applaud this gracious act by the government.
I plan to visit the pan theatre on Nelson Street soon.
A band that has won some 12 Panorama championships, three times winner of Pan is Beautiful festivals and has graced prestigious venues like the Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall deserves it all!
In 2015, when I heard that Despers was practically fleeing from ‘Up the Hill’ because of crime and fear for the safety of its players and visitors my heart cried out for a better resolution. First Tragarete Road and now Nelson Street.
“Oh No” I thought. This can’t be real. Despers is Laventille community and the community is Despers.
At least that’s what I thought and what I still believe. But it’s hard to argue with gun violence and blood thirsty goons… except that the blood has spread everywhere now. Some of us certainly can’t run from our areas.
Still I believe, wherever Desperadoes goes, it will continue to be great.
I see myself as an honorary ‘Laventillian.’ Presumptuous but true.
Although not a born and bred in the area, 40-odd years ago, Laventille was a part-time home for me.
Weekly, if not daily, I would stand at the bottom of the hill near Piccadilly and Duke Street in East Dry River, hail down a taxi - some of the drivers I knew by name - and with one of my babies in hand or a heavily pregnant stomach I would make my way up to hill where my ex-husband lived for a while.
Desperadoes, of course, became my love and going to the Savannah for Panorama became a favourite pastime. Sometimes I would take the two older children, both boys. Most times they fell asleep during the performances. It was electrifying.
I have vivid memories of walking on sacred grounds like the Drag, at the Queen’s Park Savannah, as the band made its way to the Queens Park Savannah stage.
I remember the Silence. Swollen air. Pulsing tension. Procession-like walk. I have vivid memories of floating down the drag with the band, as I made my way to the stage area, where supporters like myself would scream and jump, heart racing and adrenaline flowing, as if we were choreographed addendum to the pannists.
Contrary to what some may think, the pannists always walked down the drag, sober as judges, clear heads and with steady hands. At least that was my experience. They were going to musical war! Memories of Rebecca come flooding back.
I remember jumping and screaming at the side of the stage for Rebecca. My strapless black romper almost betrayed me that night, so exciting was that session, as like Rebecca, I did “my ting.”
I met and interviewed the great pan inventor, the man with the hammer himself, the late Rudolph Charles many times and was always in awe of this fearless giant of a man and band leader.
I am certain he would fought against the band’s separation from the community.
Whenever we chatted during my numerous interviews with him, his fearlessness stood out like a red badge of honour. I remember the numerous visits to his home in Laventille where he explained his latest inventions and creations.
Always a pioneer, always trying new things like inviting dancers on stage with the band, a first in Panorama, he explained that dance is what makes music visible. I couldn’t argue with that.
Then there was the musical genius himself, Clive Bradley, whose colourful life made for good press and legendary stories. He was magical and charismatic, as was Robbie Greenidge, whose demeanour was quieter but musical prowess just as great.
I also have rich memories of Pan is Beautiful IV at Jean Pierre Complex in 1986, I believe. Decked in their black jackets and white ties, these unique Despers pannists were transformed into classical musicians. With the power-house arranger, the late Pat Bishop, leading them, it was an amazing time for pan.
Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances cemented itself on my brain. I felt transported. That year they won. They also went on to win two other festivals. I remember some of the names of the players too: Timo my ex brother on law (now deceased), Pinhead, Sugars, Finbar, and Tash.
I guess evolution can’t be stopped and Desperadoes will never return to the Hills. Who knows, maybe a new band will be birthed in time, right there at Desperslie Crescent.