St. James will be treated to the return of steelbands on the streets of Carnival Monday night (February 24) as Pan Trinbago Inc. in collaboration with the St. James Community Improvement Committee (CIC) stages: “The Carnival Monday Nite Steelband Parade & Bomb Competition.”

Participants will be required to play two (2) selections which can be any calypso (non-Panorama tune) and a non-calypso (Bomb). The former will be judged in front of the St. James Post Office, while the latter judging point is at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road.

Competition is open to both Single Pan and Conventional Bands in the Northern Region and runs from 6:00 pm to 12 midnight.
According to the coordinator and Pan Trinbago’s interim Vice-President, Keith Simpson: “The idea to revive the competition was simple and an easy sell. We (Pan Trinbago) wanted to bring steelbands back in Carnival”, giving people the opportunity to jump with a steelband and return pan on the road.”

The format is an ode to the “drop a bomb” on the road at Carnival and other music events prior to 1963. All bands will receive an appearance fee in addition to cash prizes.

Registration continues at the Northern Region office, Jerningham Avenue, Belmont or interested bands can call 270 0185