YPM launches activities to mark 40th anniversary

The Youlou Pan Movement (YPM) has launched a year of activities to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

At a media launch on Tuesday at the Peace Memorial Hall, president Oneka Morgan explained that in addition to the annual activities of ‘Junior Pan Fest’, ‘Steel and Glitter’, and ‘Christmas on Steel’, other events will be staged during the year to commemorate 40 years as an organization.

The next activity after the media launch would be a concert launch in Bequia on March 31, as part of Easter celebrations there. This will be followed by a Steel Pan Week, from April 16 to 21. Morgan said that during that week, there would be a documentary shown about the history of the art form on April 17. There will then be an open forum on April 19 and a two-day exhibition on April 18 and 19, displaying steel band memorabilia over the years. On April 20 there will be ‘Rep Your Band’ and on April 21 there will be a ‘Steel Band Relay’.

Morgan explained that the relay would be similar to a torch run.

On August 27, the day of the anniversary, the group plans to host a recognition and awards ceremony, to pay tribute to persons who have contributed to the steel pan art form. A ‘Night of Solos and Duets’ will be announced at a later date.

Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture Cecil Mckie, in his remarks at the launch, said there are over 14 steel bands in the country. He praised the YPM for having engaged thousands of persons to play the steel pan through programmes such as Pan Against Crime.(CB)