REVIEW
PAN-JAM IN POWIS SQUARE WORDS | STEPHEN SPARK
O
fficially, it was Steel the Show. Unofficially, it was a blockorama. And in reality, it was a bit of a tight squeeze. No dispute, though, about the outcome: great fun. It was an inspired thought to give us some glistening, ringing steelpan to cheer us all up after long dark days of lockdown. It was all the better for showcasing the rising talents emerging from London’s panyards. 20 SN SEPT 2021
Those taking part were the youth sections of Croydon Steel Orchestra, Ebony, Endurance (from South Norwood), Mangrove, New Generation (W10), St Michael & All Angels aka SMASO (Brent) and Southside (Stockwell). A few of those assisting stretched the concept of ‘youth’ to breaking point – including 90-year-old ‘Scratcherman’ Cyril Khamai but most of the players were tweens and teens. Lockdown brought massive challenges to
