General Information

“5 Ah Side” Steelband Competition goes into it's second year at the St. James We Beat festival.

Conceived from last year’s theme “We Reach … Tribute to the Soca Warriors”, the Organizing Committee developed this pan event to further showcase and highlight the national instrument of Trinidad & Tobago.

“5 Ah Side" Steelband Competition was a big success, spawning several other 5-Ah Side competitions around the country.

Open to any group affiliated to a financial member band of Pan Trinbago, auditions will be held on Sunday May 27th 2007 at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St. James from 4:00 pm.  The panel of judges will select ten (10) finalists based the following criteria - Arrangement, Interpretation, Impact and Presentation.

Participants are required to perform any tune, sung or comosed by Sparrow.  The performance must not exceed five (5) minutes.

The objective is to play the tune primarily in calypso tempo, but other rhythms may be utilized. Players are expected to use dress and dance to enhance their presentation and any innovative gimmicks that they can come up with. The accent is to entertain the audience and evoke crowd appeal.

Registration will be open to a maximum of thirty (30) groups on a first come first serve basis.  Closing date for applications will be on Saturday 26h May, 2007.  Forms can be collected at Crosby’s North & South.   There is a registration fee of $20.00

First place winner will take home a cash prize of $10,000.00; Second Place - $ 7,000.00 and Third Place $3,000.00.   There will also be a $2000.00 prize for presentation

“5 Ah Side Steelband Competition” is a segment in Pan Explosion carded for Thursday 07th June 2007 on the WeBeat Calendar.