Trinidadculture announces “The Rainmakers” at Queens Hall March 22, 2009 [ 'LIVE' Performance]
The following Press Release is published as a Public Service and in support of efforts to promote the culture of Trinidad & Tobago and The Caribbean ______________________________________ ST. AUGUSTINE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, WEST INDIES FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND EDUCATION Department of Creative and Festival Arts
NEWS RELEASE February 17, 2009 The University of the West Indies (UWI) celebrates the achievements of “The Rainmakers” at the 33rd Annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Austin, Texas. “The Rainmakers”, a 45-minute production integrating dance, drama and traditional Carnival characters, was enacted by Golden Hands Steel Orchestra and The University’s DCFA Percussion Ensemble. A tumultuous standing ovation by the near capacity audience attested to their outstanding performance. “The Rainmakers” performed for the general public on November 5th at the McCallum Fine Arts Theatre. Next day, “The Rainmakers” again entertained students of the school. On November 8th their feature performance took place at the Austin Convention Centre for approximately two thousand PASIC members. The script is written and directed by Franka Hills-Headley, founder of Golden Hands, and includes nine original neo-classical compositions for Steelpan and Percussion Ensemble, composed by DCFA Lecturer, Dr. Jeannine Remy. A contingent of 70 persons including directors, administrative and production staff attended this memorable event. Professor Gary Cook, President of the Percussive Arts Society, presented a commemorative plaque to the group, stating: “The Rainmakers has been a highlight of our convention and my personal witnessing of this amazing production was both moving and inspiring”. During the performance the audience participated in traditional Sailor Dances, found quite enjoyable. “The Rainmakers” was acclaimed by Jeff Hartsough, PASIC’s Director of Event Production and Marketing, who noted: “Your performance was awesome; we’ve had several people say it was one of the best sessions at PASIC…” “The Rainmakers” committee continues its fund raising drive to meet the PASIC budget of TT$1.8 million. Approximately half of the money was raised through corporate investors: Colonial Life Insurance Company Limited (CLICO), Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC), National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB), Sanch Electronix Limited, Trinidad and Tobago Entertainment Company Limited (T&T Ent), The University of the West Indies (UWI), and many other corporations. The remainder is being raised by selling T-shirts, polo shirts, prints of artwork by Nigel Parris and a commemorative magazine. Other items include “The Rainmakers” double CD with audio recordings and digital files, as well as the Golden Hands CD – “Under the Sapodilla Tree”. The magazine is a major part of the fund raising, generating over $100,000.00 in advertisements and sales of approximately $30,000.00. The ongoing fundraising drive will assist in covering expenses of the trip. “The Rainmakers” and Patron, His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards, President of Trinidad and Tobago wish to thank all those who have contributed so generously to ensure the success of their undertaking. “The Rainmakers” will host a penultimate concert on 22nd March 2009 at Queen’s Hall. Tickets are available at DCFA Offices St. Augustine; Sanch Electronix, Golden Hands Pan Theatre. The Queen’s Hall Box Office will open on March 09. For further information please visit: http://www.tobago.org/trinidad/pan/rainmakers or kindly telephone 663 2222 or 662-2002 ext. 3791/3792.
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES