The Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra truck and trolley roll into the Fort Christian Parking Lot, bringing the sounds of steel pan to eager Carnival crowds. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Just before the big bacchanal of St. Thomas Carnival shifts into gear, the gleam of shiny steel pans filled the scene at Fort Christian Parking Lot. The annual Pan-O-Rama brought the festive sounds of bright tenors, the rumbling bass and percussion knockin’ dog.
Steel pan music lovers gathered on Sunday afternoon to hear a tune. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Once Carnival Village is officially opened at Monday’s ceremony, some of the best local and regional dance bands will fill the air with soca, zouk, salsa and quelbay tunes. Rum will flow and plates filled with specialty meals will pass across the counter of village booths. But Sunday was family night as fans of steel pan music gathered around band after band as they took turns performing.
Members of the Bertha C. Boschulte Burning Blazers perform on steel pans during a lively set at Pan-O-Rama, showcasing their musical talents and school pride. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Many of those bands were made up of students — elementary, middle and high school students, ringed by friends and family, guided by instructors. The Ulla Muller Panatics, Bertha C. Boschulte Burning Blazers, Charlotte Amalie High School Mello Hawks, Love City Pan Dragons, and Gen Fusion proudly showcased their musical youths.
Charlotte Amalie High School’s Mello Hawks light up the parking lot with sweet steel pan sounds during their performance. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Instructor Kareem Forbes checked the double-decker trolley for the Gen Fusion Steel Orchestra. He explained that the band of 35, which had undergone a name change from St. Thomas Junior All Stars, had been performing since 2021.
Across from where the trolley was being prepared, adult performers checked the drum set for the St. Thomas All Stars. Co-director Judy Bryan thanked former first lady Cecile deJongh for helping them find a performance space to practice for Sunday’s event.
All Stars — a community band — has performed in Carnival events since the 1990s, but took a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryan said. Sunday’s performance would showcase a new generation of All Stars; some of them, she said, were playing in public for the first time.
Pan Dragons director Andrea Milam praised her band of young performers, saying they put in extra hours to get ready for Pan-O-Rama, as well as a trip to Virginia Beach in early May.
The Pan Dragons perform as the sun sets, filling the evening air with the sounds of steel pan music. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Spectators gathered, listened and danced to the sounds of their band, then drifted west in the square to hear competitors in the recent steel band shoot out featured in an event on Easter Sunday.
Spectators look on with admiration as a young pannist showcases skill and passion. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Then it was time for fun as the sun went down and the swirling lights of amusement park rides echoed with squeals from their passengers.
And steps from the Farrelly Justice Complex, the Superior Court Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra rendered the sounds of a festive season to come.
Yard Vybes and Pan Around the Neck wrapped up the evening’s celebrations.
