Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998  From: John Schmidt To: socalovers@makelist.com
Guide to Panyard Hopping
|| Prelims Dead? || Moods mood

Parkside Avenue between Rogers Avenue and Nostrand Avenue has become Panyard Row, with three bands rehearsing there. Starting at Rogers, Pantonic (Mystery Band's new name) is in a parking lot near the corner. Eddie Quarless is arranging Carnival Bashment for them. In the middle of the block on the sidewalk, opposite the school, Pan Rebels is learning Clear de Way, arranged by Anthony 'Pra' Tribuse. Continue down the street and you find Metro practicing in the garage. Brian 'Bean' Griffeth is arranging Pan fuh Carnival for them. While you are in the garage, you can check out the wire bender making costumes for a mas band, and the pan tuning "factory" next to the bathroom at the west end of the garage. There have been several hundred supporters liming nightly along the length of the block. The Nuts Man was even peddling his products there the other night.

Elsewhere in Brooklyn, Sillhouettes has moved to their new summer panyard on Erasimus opposite the end of Lloyd Street (between Nostrand and Rogers). This is half way in between where they were last year and where Invaders was last year, in the yard behind a house. Look for the banner. Boogsie Sharpe will be arranging for them, and is due in New York this evening. There is a "Band Lunching (sic) and Welcome Party" Panyard Warming at the yard Saturday the 25th from 7PM till 2AM. In addition to Silhouettes, Pantonic and Sesame Flyers will be performing.

Despers USA is rehearsing at their panyard at 621 Classen Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street. Denzil Brotus and Scipio Sargent are arranging again for them, doing David Rudder's Montserrat.

Sonatas rehearses at 1254 Stirling Place, between Troy and Albany. Earl Brooks is arranging DeFosto's Pan Messiah. They rehearse in a shed behind the brownstone, look for the canopy in the front of the house, go down through the open bulkhead into the basement, walk through the basement and up the rear bulkhead into the panyard. If in doubt ask those liming in front of the house.

Sesame Flyers steelband is planning to compete in Panorama for the first time this year, with Jason 'Peanuts' Issacs arranging Crazy's Mosquito. In past years they have only come out for Jouvert. The panyard currently is in the basement of their building at 3510 Church Avenue, between E. 35th St. and Brooklyn Avenue. If you hear pan and the upstairs is locked, try the basement bulkhead door.

One of the remaining unanswered questions is whether Moods is coming out   this year. Clyde has been unable to find an affordable panyard yet, and a
major sponsor has promised some funding, but as of yet not produced the cash. Clyde has indicated he cannot afford to continue funding the band essentially out of his pocket, particularly considering the small appearance fees paid. Time is running out, and if things don't get straightened out in a week or so, it is unlikely there is enough time for Moods to prepare for Panorama.
This is a good year for "panyard hopping", its a great way to escape the heat and hear some good music. And by visiting the bands you are showing your support for the culture and the players, many of whom are the youth of Brooklyn.

John H. Schmidt, P.E.
Broadcast Engineer
BRING BACK WBAU