Calysto Steelband Brings Rousing Calypso Sounds to Ship’s Company
by Rena Kossatz, Ship's Company TheatrePARRSBORO NS: The Calysto Steelband, a lively steel drum and percussion ensemble, injects a fun, festive factor into Ship’s Company Theatre’s Concert Series on Monday, July 19, at 8 p.m.
Founded in 1986 in Calgary, Alberta, the Calysto Steelband was established with the purpose of teaching the art of playing the steel drums, or ‘pan’, to children whose families had immigrated to Canada, with a mandate to promote steel band music and to endorse desirable life choices for youth.
Calysto Steelband is comprised of six principal sections: single tenor steel drums, double-tenor, double-second, triple cello, quad- and six-bass steel pans and finally the ‘engine room’- drums and percussion.
Currently, the group is comprised of 16 members from several countries, ranging in age from pre-teen to sixty-plus years. Few are professional musicians, but all share an enthusiastic affinity for the steel drums. Timi and Michael Levy, well known individuals in Parrsboro and region, performed with the band for more than four years while living in Calgary, and are delighted to join with the band again as they bring their distinctive music to appreciative Maritime audiences.
Musical Director and Founder Ann Jamieson first heard a professional steel band during a visit to EXPO 67 in Montreal, and upon her return prevailed upon a school music teacher to build steel drums for the purpose of establishing a band. Ann’s parents later moved to Barbados, where Ann began performing with the Barbados All Stars, and later the Barbados Exotic Steel orchestra. Back in Canada, Ann eventually formed her own band, accessing spare pans from the man who had played lead in the steel band she had first heard in 1967. The band has performed widely and has recorded CDs, and is presently touring the Maritimes, helping to raise money for other not-for-profit groups.
Come, experience the lively Caribbean sounds of the Calysto Steelband in a rare concert setting at Ship’s Company Theatre, 18 Lower Main Street, Parrsboro, on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 8 p.m. Call the Ship’s Company Theatre Box Office at 1-800-565-SHOW to book tickets. Group rates are available.
Visit www.shipscompany.com for more information about events within Ship’s Company Theatre’s 2010 EastLink Concert Series in Parrsboro. Supported by the SOCAN Foundation.
