EXPERIENCE WORLD STEELPAN FESTIVAL 2024 IN TRINIDAD
Join us for the inaugural World Steelpan Festival in Trinidad and experience the vibrant journey of the steelpan! Celebrating “Roots to Recognition: Steelpan’s Journey to Global Acclaim,” this historic festival features mesmerizing performances, engaging workshops, and dynamic cultural exchanges. Discover the steelpan’s versatility and evolution in contemporary music while honoring its rich heritage and worldwide impact.
The World Steelpan Festival takes place August 5-11, 2024 in Trinidad, in culmination of World Steelpan Day on August 11.
A CELEBRATION OF OUR NATIONAL INSTRUMENT
World Steelpan Festival is a commemoration of our strength and resilience as a people and a nation, taking place through a series of vibrant events in Trinidad, from August 5-11, 2024. Here’s a look at all the official events and activities that you can experience.
ART EXHIBITION SERIES: GALLERY HOP EDITION
AUGUST 5-10, 2024
From August 5-9, school camps can join us for a series of art exhibitions across Trinidad! These steelpan editions of Gallery Hop will include: Rotunda Art Gallery, Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Castle Killarney (Stollmeyer’s) and the Carnival Museum. Registration for Gallery Hop on August 10 will be open the public soon.
- Meeting Point: Queen’s Park Savannah
- Time: 10AM – 5PM
- Admission: Free
WORLD STEELPAN CONFERENCE: FROM ROOTS TO RECOGNITION – STEELPAN’S JOURNEY TO GLOBAL ACCLAIM
AUGUST 9, 2024
This conference includes key panel discussions focusing on financing and sustainability of our national instrument, with support of MITTCO and Panland.
- Location: Hyatt Regency Trinidad
- Time: 9AM – 4PM
- Closed Event
PAN YARD JAMS
AUGUST 10, 2024
Come and lime with us at your local pan yard! Take in the sweet sounds of pan taking place in our northern, eastern and central/southern regions of Trinidad.
- Northern Host Location: Desperadoes Steel Orchestra (with Nutrien Silver Stars Steel Orchestra, Phase 11 Pan Groove Steel Orchestra & Stardust Steel Orchestra)
- Eastern Host Location: Arima Angel Harps (with Sangre Grande Cordettes Steel Orchestra, Curepe Scherzando Steel Orchestra & Alumknights Steel Orchestra)
- South/Central Host Location: Skiffle Steel Orchestra (with NLCB/Fonclaire, NGC Couva Joylanders & New Age Trendsetters Steel Orchestra)
- Time: 6PM – Till
- Admission: Free
LEGACIES AND LEGENDS: NATIONAL STEEL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CONCERT
AUGUST 10, 2024
Take a seat and enjoy a performance from our National Steel Symphony Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago at the renowned National Academy for the Performing Arts.
- Location: National Academy for the Performing Arts
- Time: 6PM – 9:30PM
- $100TTD tickets available at NAPA Box Office
WORLD STEELPAN DAY
AUGUST 11, 2024
Celebrate World Steelpan Day festivities with a pre-celebration, unfolding at the birthplace of the steelpan, Piccadilly Street in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, continuing to the celebrations held at Woodford Square.
- Starting Point: Piccadilly Street to Woodford Square
- Time: 6PM – 1AM
- Admission: Free
STEELPAN
The steelpan (also known as a pan, steel drum, and sometimes, collectively with other musicians, as a steelband or steel orchestra) is a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago. It is played using a pair of straight sticks tipped with rubber; the size and type of rubber tip varies according to the class of pan being played. Some musicians use four pansticks, holding two in each hand. This grew out of Trinidad and Tobago’s early 20th-century Carnival percussion groups.
Source: United Nations
WORLD STEELPAN DAY
Acknowledging that the steelpan promotes inclusive societies, sustainable communities and the creative economy and can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, gender equality and youth empowerment, the General Assembly decided to proclaim 11 August as World Steelpan Day.
The Assembly invited stakeholders to observe World Steelpan Day, through activities aimed at raising awareness of the cultural and historical significance of the steelpan as well as its link to sustainable development.
Source: United Nations