Singers, pannists, as well as a poet were among the new talents that were exposed at the 2023 edition of Steel Expressions, held last Saturday, December 30, at the Victoria Park.
Among the youthful acts to have graced the stage were Hannah Archibald, Divyne Hackshaw, Ky- Yah Rodriques and Jaydealeah Chambers.
They were complemented by some seasoned acts such as Fya Empress, the reigning Calypso Monarch of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Reggae Artiste Yaphatoo, DJ Ice Kid, Soca Performing Artiste Hance John and violinist Darron Andrews.
Steel Expressions 2023, dubbed ‘State of Art’, featured different segments, highlighting various aspects of the Vincentian culture.
Meanwhile, the main act- Rodney Small on pan, backed by his band RS, took patrons on an escapade that was gleefully lapped up.
Small, who is the Artistic Director and Executive Producer of Steel Expressions, was again delighted at the success of the 2023 production.
He s underscored that the event met the high quality expected.
“I want to say thank you the parents of those who were part of the auditions… All the young people, I want to say thanks to them also, because they had a choice,” Small commented.
For the first time, performers had to go through an audition process, and once they qualified, they were engaged in vocal training, stage craft techniques and more.
Endorser of the event, Earl Bennett, described Steel Expressions as fantastic.
“It was again another extravaganza of Vincentian talent on show… And, instructively all the acts were Vincentians, which is testimony that we can hold our own” Bennett commented.
Bennett, like Small was especially happy for the exposure given to the young performers, especially given that most of them were performing for the first time, before an audience of that magnitude.
With the success of Steel Expressions still etched in the minds of those who attended, Small has already named the 2024 production, ‘A Night at the Movies’.
That show is set for December 28, 2024.
Source : The Vincentian