SONS OF STEEL

Less than a week away!
I am looking forward to gracing the stage with some of the most phenomenal pannists this Saturday!

Miles Away in the Caribbean Book Launch with Author Yolanda T. Marshall

CONGRATULATIONS to @author_ytm on the launch of her latest book "Miles Away In The Caribbean". She took us on a journey through the beautiful islands of the Caribbean & showed us what made each one special!

Limin' in Lopinot

Beware of the ghost of Charles Joseph De Lopinot de la Fresilliere, a French Count who came to Trinidad in 1800.
He roams his estate house located in the village named after him (Lopinot). He was granted 478 acres of land by the King of England, planted cocoa & renamed his estate La Reconnaissance.
The estate house has been made into a small museum.

I had the opportunity to play parang on pan with The Lara Brothers in Lopinot! (see photo)
The Lara Brothers made up of Antonio, Tito, Willie, Victor and their father lgnacio became one of the most popular parang bands in Trinidad & Tobago.
Parang is folk music traditionally sung in Spanish.
Growing up our family listened to Parang music every Christmas season. To visit Lopinot, a village famous for its Parang was AMAZING!!! THANK YOU @derrickvi868 for this opportunity ❤

HAPPY CANADA DAY

While in Trinidad & Tobago, I took a moment to wish fellow Canadians a Happy Canada Day with the playing of the Canadian National Anthem.

Sweet, Sweet, T&T

Made it to sweet, sweet, T&T! So happy to be here to reconnect with family, friends, the food, the music & the island.

Carnival Time at Silver Stream Public Stream

THANK YOU Silver Stream Public School. I appreciate the invitation to perform for you school carnival. I had so much fun playing for the students and their families!
Much appreciation to Pari, I appreciate the support & introduction to a new community audience.
SHOUT OUT to @dj.navid who played some hype top 40 chunes mixed with Persian artists.

WEDDING SURPRISE

CONGRATS to Kirsten & Jeff on their blessed union.
I had so much fun performing at this reception. The happy couple surprised their family & guests with a taste of the Caribbean.
SHOUT OUT to the families & friends of the bride & groom who sang along & jammed beside me during my set!

Taking a Cruise with the Residences of Chartwell (Ballycliffe)

WHAT A TREAT!!!
I had the opportunity to perform with my father at @chartwellretirementresidences
#BALLYCLIFFE.
Back in the 70's & 80's he played #bass with #DickSmith, leader of the #calypso & #reggae band #Syncona
They were taken on an imaginary journey through the Caribbean. Every island we visited, they heard the musical melodies and that brought hands clapping, feet stomping, waist shaking and voices singing.
The staff were fantastic & the residences sang, clapped & enjoyed themselves.

20th Annual Scholarship Awards Brunch "Unleashing Your Potential" presented by the Congress of Black Women of Canada

I love watching how the day unfolds at the annual #CongressOfBlackWomen of Canada (CBWC) #Ajax #Pickering Chapter's annual scholarship brunch entitled Unleashing Your Potential.
Continuing in the vision of founder Kay Livingstone, the CBCW is now celebrating their 20th anniversary of awarding scholarships to students pursuing higher education.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ajax Mayor #ShaunCollier, @councillorrobtylermorin, MP #markholland, the family of scholarship recipient & future doctor #TalaLumbu (btw she is AMAZING!)

CONGRATULATIONS to 2019 Youth Recipients which include Taiharia Gordon, Keili Gomez, Tala Lumbu and Cayla Johnson. All young women have promising futures.

The Keynote Speaker for the brunch was Allison Hector-Alexander, Director of the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion, & Transitions at Durham College.

SHOUT OUT to performances by Riddim Fit Dancers, Ngoma Ensemble, Courtney Tayor, Myrtle Sodhi-Afro quill, de Unstoppable DJ and yours truly Steelpan With Suzette.

THANK YOU to the Congress of Black Women of Canada-Ajax/Pickering Chapter for again inviting me to be apart of your annual event.

Pape Village Summerfest 2019

Had a BLAST @ #papevillagesummerfest2019!!!
SHOUT OUT to @l.toya.b, Ava, @nosh0601 & family for coming. It was great seeing you!!!
Family fun for the kids with #steelpanfun, #cajon box drumming w/ Matthias, put-put golf sponsored by @td_canada, @abbeyroadentertainment basketball & lots more!

Toronto Public Library's Musical Instrument Lending Library

THEY HAVE STEELPANS!!! @torontolibrary has opened their second @sunlifeca Musical Instrument Lending Library at their #Downsview branch!
Had the amazing opportunity to not only perform but lead a workshop on the #steelpan.

Check out their website to see how you can borrow & donate instruments to the Musical Instrument Lending Library.
https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/services/borrow-a-musical-instrument.jsp

#ArtsAndCulture #AccessForEveryone #LearnAnInstrument #LoveofMusic #steelpanwithsuzette #steelpan #communityprogramming #panvibes #steelpanfun
@tpl.foundation

Music Monday

Happy #musicmonday! Decided to take part in celebrating this day which brings awareness to the importance of music education to children & youth across Canada. 
The Coalition for Music Education in Canada's Music Monday anthem entitled "Hymn to Freedom" was written by Canadian Jazz legend #OscarPeterson. The song which was "written during the Civil Rights Movement, carries a strong message of unity, inclusion, and equality amongst all people, and speaks to the importance of walking the path to freedom in harmony with one another." ~@coalitioncanada
#TogetherInHarmony #HymnToFreedom#steelpanwithsuzette #steelpan #panvibes

Samantha's Quinceanera

Performed at my first #quinceanera. It was MAGICAL. The venue was beautiful, both outdoor & indoor. @palaisroyaleballroomlooked like something out of a magazine. Elegant & classy with a dash of #finesse.
What a pleasure it was to work with #eventplanner #LizOcchipinti.
SHOUTOUT to Rob & staff for their diligence & high quality professionalism.
This was an amazing event that I was honoured to be a part of.

#steelpanwithsuzette #steelpanelegance#steelpan #panvibes #panwomanonduty#partydecor #torontodecor #eventplanning

3 Days On the Road with Sunwing!

What a fantastic week it has been visiting London, Woodbridge and Stoney Creek, Ontario with Sunwing!
Met so many wonderful people over these past couple of days I’m still on a high.

Peel Bridal Show

Appreciative for the opportunity to be a sponsor at this year's @peelbridal show @thegardenbanquet in #Brampton.
Special THANKS to the show's organizer Gwen Mandaliya!
You are a TRUE & GENUINE professional who brought together some amazing people who can create a magical day for couples tying the knot.
THANK YOU to my phenomenal team @ialexanderrich @zaytheronin@6ixmayor & @socajabjabkangavizers
Without you, the day couldn't have happened. You all brought your special skills, experience & surprises for the day. 

HERO: The World Tour

Imagine Cinemas Carlton Cinemas premiered the film HERO by Frances-Anne Solomon on March 29th.

The Wisdom of Rain Book Launch by Eleanor P. Sam

Enjoyed learning about Guyanese history and folk songs in preparation to perform at this event.
Eleanor P. Sam’s first novel, “The Wisdom of Rain”, can be purchased at A Different Booklist (779 Bathurst St.) as well as online outlets such as Amazon, Indigo, itunes, and kobo. Appreciative for the opportunity with many thanks! 

“On her thirteenth birthday, Mariama leans against her favourite baobab tree and daydreams, thrilled that the time has finally come for her Sande ceremony, when she will officially pass into womanhood. But then, rough hands tear her from her daydreams and violently toss her into a nightmare reality. She is forced onto the SS Archery, a slave ship that steals her from her home in West Africa and delivers her to the British colony of Demerary on the northern coast of South America.”

The Wisdom of Rain is a sweeping tale of tragedy, loss, and inhumanity, but it is also a story of courage, love, and spirituality. It shows how these qualities can transcend and defeat servitude and suffering in the most trying circumstances. It is a novel that treasures and restores the past, breathing life into a forgotten time and place and revealing its hidden pathways to the present.
Source: http://www.iguanabooks.ca/books/the-wisdom-of-rain