Happy 57th Independencce Trinidad & Tobago

Thank you to the Durham T&T Committee who invited me to play the Canadian and Trinidad & Tobago National Anthem at their Flag Raising & Cultural Show.

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Friends and Dem Annual Picnic at Petit Coat Creek

What a JOY is was to introduce the steelpan to children for the first time with a hands on experience at the #FriendsAndDem Annual Family Fun Day in #Pickering! I HAD A BLAST!
The kids had FUN!!!
It was great interacting with them, they listened so well, and had great questions. I am proud of them.

SHOUT OUT Carla Fabien for inviting me. WE MADE IT HAPPEN!
I met some new people & got a chance to reconnect with some I hadn't seen in years!
SHOUT OUT to @trinisunshine1 & @jollytappin - It was truly a pleasure!

Congratulations Shontel and Sydney

CONGRATULATIONS Shontel & Sydney!!! Thank you for inviting me to perform and be a part of your special day!

SOS | ONE EVOLUTION

What an honour it was to be invited to be a part of Sons of Steel, One Evolution, steelpan concert.
more to come…
July 27th 2019 Featuring: Earl La Pierre Sr, Suzette Vidale, Rudo Forteau, Mark Mosca, Earl Brooks Jr, Noel La Pierre & Earl La Pierre Jr all backed by Bruce Skerritt and the Liamuiga Project
Photos taken by TEEOGRAPHY
To see the complete album visit facebook.com/panmanonduty

A Little Touch of Caribbean

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A Little Touch of Caribbean today @uoft Mississauga campus!
SHOUT OUT to @carnivalspice who led the Caribbean Dance Workout! Everyone had a great time!

Afterwards, I was a part of the Lunch & Learn series which spoke about the origins & importance of Carnival.
My interactive presentation touched on the development of the steelpan & also had a HANDS ON, LET'S PLAY PAN component!

SHOUT OUT to Martina Douglas from @uoft Mississauga, Jessica Rayne from @harthouseuoft & Zoe Dille from @harthouseuoft, without you I wouldn't have been a part of this whole experience!

#lunchandlearn #caribbeanhistory#steelpanhistory #panineducation#steelpanwithsuzette #steelpan#steelpanfun #handson
#grouplearning

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