ne of the bands to
watch for in this year's Steelband Panorama Competition at the West
Indian-American Day Carnival is Women in Steel, an all female steelband
orchestra and young women's development organization. It is composed of
young women from age 7 to 27, of diverse Caribbean backgrounds,
including Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia and
Trinidad. This year they will perform an original composition titled
Laventille, which was written by their arranger, the noted jazz pan
player, Andy Narell.
Women in Steel was founded and organized in 1994 by Hazel Beckles and
Colette Baptiste who wanted to educate and guide young women both
socially and culturally through the art form of steelband music. As
Baptiste explained, "We got some high school girls together, borrowed
some pans and started doing it!"
Their first performance was at Medgar Evers High School at a
celebration of Women's History Month. Now, 8 years later, in addition to
participating in the West Indian Day Carnival, they perform all year
round throughout New York City and elsewhere in parks, at weddings,
universities and other cultural venues. Their talent has brought them
onto the stage in many states, including New Jersey, Georgia, South
Carolina as well as Canada.
Women in
Steel has a core group of 15 young women which expands each year to the
panorama size of 50. They are all innovative girls and young women of
the hip hop generation who have chosen the steel drum as the musical
instrument of their cultural expression. With the support of its
founders and local pan theater/yards and under the direction of
Claudette Baptiste, this steelband orchestra has developed into one of
the most vibrant groups in the predominantly male steelband industry.
Its repertoire is an exciting mix of soca and calypso rhythms, R&B,
reggae, pop, jazz and ballads, with melodies spiced at times with samba
or bassanova flavors. Be it their parents' "oldies" or the music of
their contemporaries, Women in Steel brings their own unique expression
to everything they play, providing yet another dimension to the music
world of sweet, sweet steelband music. They have been called "as
energetic and flavorful as the music they create."
There are no auditions for Women in Steel. Located right in the heart
of East Flatbush, whoever wants to join is free to do so. "It's about
spreading our culture, having other people love and respect it," says
Colette Baptiste.
In addition to entertaining, this steelband orchestra is known for
its excellent outreach programs, which include public speaking and
academic tutorial services to young adults. Women in Steel has proven it
can not only entertain but educate. It provides leadership while at the
same time it produces leaders.
Working with this orchestra has a very positive effect on the girls
and women who join. "We're really close-knit," says Baptiste. "And every
year for Panorama all the young women from the past come back. We look
forward to the same group of people every year. It becomes a family
among the girls. I think that's the most important thing."
The Steelband Panorama Competition will be held at 8 PM on Saturday
evening, August 31st at the back of the Brooklyn Museum. The gates open
at 7 PM and tickets are $20.
By Donna Lamb
