Date: Fri Dec 18th 2009
Location: Country Club, T&T.
Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago is indeed a unique time for celebration and festivities.
It is known around the world for its distinctive culture and its signature events.
One such event which recently took place was the annual affair “Parang in Paramin”, which this year was renamed the “Paramin Parang Festival” aka “Caliente Friday”.
Parang is a popular folk music originating out of Trinidad and Tobago which is traditionally performed at Christmas time. It is part of the island's Hispanic heritage that originated from over 400 years ago during Spanish colonisation. Parang utilises instruments such as the cuatro (a four-string small guitar), maracas (locally known as chac-chac), tambourines, mandolins, violins, guitars, claves (locally known as toc-toc), the box bass (an indigenous instrument) and the bandolin to create this vibrant music.
2009 did not only bring a name change to famous festival but also a change in its location from rural hills of Paramin located in the northern range of Trinidad to the Trinidad country club in Port-Of-Spain. Although this was the first time in its 32 year history that the event was executed outside of the confines of Paramin, The Paramin Development Committee pulled out all the stops to ensure that the high standard and spirit of their community was present.
Upon entering one could see and smell the elements of not only a true Trini Christmas but of a real Paramin Parang experience. Bake and shark, corn soup and popcorn were on sale for the “play it safe” patrons but for the brave folks a wide variety of “wild” meat and other delicasies were available including lappe, duck, wild deer, pastelles, goat, yard fowl, rabbit and Venezuelan Empanadas.
The audience in attendance at this year’s festival was indeed large and for the most part quite receptive to the new venue. Also new to the affair was the evening’s MCs Ashleia Baksh and Daryl Mendoza of 96.7fm and I95.5fm respectively. Ms Baksh commented on the excellent turnout of attendees and also expressed her joy at being selected to co-host this famed event with Mr. Mendoza stating that both hosts balanced each other throughout the night with their relevant abilities in broadcasting and comedy.
The night featured the country’s top Parang bands and Soca Parang (hybrid of Soca and Parang music) artistes such as Los Alumnos De San Juan, Marcia Miranda, Flores De San Jose, Myron B, Renacer, Kenny J, Mucho Tempo, Paraminos, La Bedicion All Stars and Damian Joseph.
When asked about the festival and its new venue, renowned Christmas Crooner Kenny J stated that he loves the new location and looks forward to performing each year. His sentiments were echoed by Damian Joseph who after numerous years of playing the cuatro in popular Parang bands gained solo artiste fame from his hit song “Chinee Parang”.
All the bands and artistes gave commendable performances boasting fierce vocals, outstanding instrumentalists, colourful costumes, props and creative choreography. Their repertoires consisted of traditional Parang, Soca Parang, Latin Music and even Pop music covers.
Generally the event was a success; however, the one complaint from some enthusiastic audience members was that the venue’s layout placed the true, hardcore Parang fans too far from the onstage action and from their favourite groups as opposed to the closeness and intimacy that they enjoyed in Paramin. Nevertheless many have expressed that this year’s location opened up the festival to a new audience who may not have wanted to venture into Paramin in previous years.
DancehallSoca.com thanks Mr. Colin Romain of The Paramin Development Committee for the access to cover this wonderful, cultural Trini Christmas experience.
