On Thursday night, I decided to leave the comforts of 24-hour accessible transportation that is the downtown Toronto core, and make my way to Scarborough, to catch a rehearsal of the infamous Toronto steelpan band, Afropan, and what a privilege it was!
Afropan probably has more accolades than it does years, no easy feat for any band, especially for a band as old as Afropan (formally founded in 1973). This band is older than most of you! Hell, its older than me.
A non-profit organization, Afropan is by the people, with the people, and for the people. It strives not only to promote interest and appreciation of steelband music, but also to develop life skills among youth, develop collaborative programs with the community, and encourage collaboration in music with the very young, the very old, and the very in between.
The band is a multigenerational family affair with grandparents, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins and other distant relatives all coming out to play. Thing is, even if your family isn’t there, it takes you less than a whole two minutes to feel like you are part of the Afropan family.
The rehearsal took equal parts laughter, jokes, uplifting vibes and fun, with serious, hard-working, let’s get-down-to-business-now-don’t-make-me-tell-you-again fatherly reprimands. It then proceeded to mix them all in a pan (sorry). The result? Steelpan perfection.
What was a visit to see their pre-show rehearsal (show information to follow below), turned into begrudgingly playing a cowbell, dancing (not begrudgingly), and getting some pan lessons (definitely, not begrudgingly).
The promised show, yes! The 20th anniversary of Snowflakes on Steel. It happens today (Saturday January 21st, 2017) at the P.C. HO Theatre Chinese Cultural Centre (5183 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada). The show starts-up at 7pm, and is preceded by an art exhibition and reception (5pm-6:30pm). I’m sorry I’m telling you so late! I know its short notice! But if you can’t make it out today, all is not lost. Check them out at Pan Alive Steelpan competition, Caribana (aka Toronto Caribbean Festival), and Blocko Music Festivals all happening in July, all happening in Toronto.
And if I’ve successfully seduced you to start your promising career as a pannist, check out Afropan’s classes catering to all cultures, ages, races, sexes and rhythms (or absence of rhythms for some of us). I’ll probably definitely see you there!
But what am I raving about? Well, here is Afropan’s performance from Pan Alive last year: