Documenting Caribbean culture, icons, steelpan, Carnival, and music — connecting the Caribbean and its diaspora through stories, sound, and history.
March 14, 2026
Welcome to the first edition of I Am Living My Life Culture Archives, a weekly archive documenting Caribbean culture across the region and its diaspora.
Each issue highlights a mix of:
cultural news
steelband and music competitions
community events
opportunities to learn Caribbean cultural arts
tributes to individuals who shaped Caribbean culture
🎭 Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2026 Winners and Competition Results
Carnival season took place across the Caribbean during the pre-Lenten period. Islands celebrating Carnival included Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Aruba, Curaçao, Haiti, and Carriacou, each showcasing their unique traditions in music, mas, and cultural expression.
This edition highlights the major competition winners from Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2026, reflecting the extensive coverage provided on the I Am Living My Life YouTube Channel.
Notable Changes for Trinidad Carnival 2026
Several structural changes occurred during the season:
Junior Calypso Monarch Janaya Clarke also captured three additional titles during the season:
Junior South Calypso Monarch
Couva Junior Calypso Monarch
Carapichaima Junior Calypso Monarch
🥁Panorama 2026 mentions
Two arrangers captured multiple titles during the 2026 National Panorama Steelband Competition.
Ojay Richards
Arranger for Small Band co-winner Uptown Fascinators Steel Orchestra, performing “Band From Space” by Crazy and Amrit Samaroo.
Arranger for Medium Band Panorama Champions Pan Elders Steel Orchestra, performing “Magician” by Burning Flames.
Look out for Ojay Richards’ interview on the I Am Living My Life YouTube Channel, premiering Saturday March 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
Duvone Stewart
Arranger for Single Pan Band Panorama Champions San Juan East Side Steel Orchestra, performing “Jumbie.”
Arranger for Large Band Panorama Champions Exodus Steel Orchestra, performing “Let Us Build A Nation Together” by Merchant.
Additional Panorama Notes
Republic Bank Exodus Steel Orchestra retained their Large Band Panorama crown performing “Cyah Behave” by Voice, arranged by Terrance “BJ” Marcelle.
Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra moved up from the Medium Band category to the Large Band category.
Matthews Steel Orchestra moved up from the Small Band category to the Medium Band category.
The Medium Band National Panorama Steelband Competition Finals were held at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Monday February 9, 2026, instead of the traditional Sunday finals previously held in Tobago. The event was free to the public.
A new 19 & Under category was introduced in the National Junior Panorama Competition under Pan Trinbago.
The National Schools Steelband Panorama Competition, hosted by the Ministry of Education, moved to Skinner Park, San Fernando.
The National Junior Panorama (19 & Under and 21 & Under) competitions, hosted by Pan Trinbago took place at the Queen’s Park Savannah. In previous years both competitions were held on the same day.
🏆 Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2026 Competition Winners
Junior Competitions
Primary School Junior Soca Monarch
Kymani Hector Kalloo
Secondary School Junior Soca Monarch
Marcus McDonald
National Junior Calypso Monarch
Janaya Clarke
Primary Schools National Chutney Soca Monarch
Janavi Deokie-Rampersad
Secondary Schools National Chutney Soca Monarch
Justin Sieudialsingh
National Junior Panorama Steelband Competition Winners
Primary Schools Panorama Winner
St Margaret’s Boys’ Primary School
Secondary Schools Panorama Winner
Holy Faith Convent, Penal
National 19 & Under Junior Panorama Winner
St Francois Valley Stars Steel Orchestra
National 21 & Under Junior Panorama Winner
Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra
Junior Carnival Mas Winners
Small Junior Band of the Year
Vanessa & Friends
Medium Junior Band of the Year
Spoilt Rotten Kids
Large Junior Band of the Year
Zebapique Productions
Junior King of Carnival
Antonio Rampersad & Jarel Peters
Junior Queen of Carnival
Jae Marie James (Spoilt Rotten Kids)
Senior Carnival Competition Winners
Music Competitions
Road March — Machel Montano
Calypso Monarch — Terri Lyons
Young Kings Calypso Monarch — Rivaldo London
NWAC National Calypso Queen — Tameika Darius
Kaisorama National Extempo Winner — Brian London
Kaisorama National Freestyle Winner — Akeem “Preedy” Chance
Chutney Soca Monarch & Queen of Chutney Soca — Savita Singh
Traditional Chutney Monarch — Rasika Dindial
Brass Bacchanal Winner — Temperature the Band
Primary School National Tassarama Winner — Avocat Vedic School
Secondary School National Tassarama Winner — Vishnu Boys’ Hindu College
National Panorama Steelband Competition Winners
Single Pan Band Panorama Winner
San Juan East Side Steel Orchestra
Small Band Panorama Winners
Southern Stars Steel Orchestra
Uptown Fascinators Steel Orchestra
Medium Band Panorama Winner
Pan Elders Steel Orchestra
Large Band Panorama Winner
Exodus Steel Orchestra
Neville Jules J’Ouvert Bomb Competition Winners
Conventional Bands
bp Renegades Steel Orchestra
Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra
Single Pan Bands
Laventille Pashphonics
Carnival Mas Winners
Mini Senior Band of the Year — Moko Somokow
Small Senior Band of the Year — Tribal Connection Cultural Promotion
Medium Senior Band of the Year — K2K Alliance & Partners
Large Senior Band of the Year — The Lost Tribe
Senior King of Carnival — Curtis Eustace
Senior Queen of Carnival — Roxanne Omalo
Downtown J’Ouvert King — Richard Montano
Downtown J’Ouvert Queen — Laverne Smith
Stick Fighting & Lim Carnival Winners
National Stick Fighting Competition Winner — Selwyn John
National Limbo Competition Winner — North West Laventille Cultural Movement
🎶 Antigua & Barbuda National Music Awards
Antigua & Barbuda continues to celebrate the talent and creativity of its music industry through the Antigua & Barbuda National Music Awards. The second installment of the awards took place on March 11, 2025, recognizing artistes, musicians, producers, and cultural contributors who have made significant impacts on the island’s vibrant music scene.
Award Recipients (Alphabetical)
Arranger of the Year — Dr Zahra Lake
Band of the Year — Kutting Edge Band
Calypsonian of the Year — Ge’Eve Philip
Dancehall/Reggae Artiste of the Year — Niqko Wyld West
Disc Jockey of the Year — DJ Quest
Gospel Artiste of the Year — Rashid Walker
Instrumentalist of the Year — Dwight Laviscount
Jam Band of the Year — Kaution Band
Large Scale Event of the Year — Rise by DJ Jime Events
MC of the Year — Steve “Ibis the Livest” Freeland
Niche Event of the Year — Heaven by RnB Experience
Panist of the Year — Maurisha Potter
Producer of the Year — Andrew “Smilius” Dorsette
Recording Artiste of the Year — Tian Winter
School Steelband of the Year — PMS Serenaders
Song of the Year — BB Service by Soca Villia
Song Writer of the Year — Art Drastic Philip
Soca Artiste of the Year — Tian Winter
Sound of the Year — King Warrior Sound
Steelband of the Year — Hellsgate Steel Orchestra
🕊️ Culture Tribute
John Anthony Harris
Former Assistant Secretary of Pan Trinbago Northern Region and Secretary of Power Stars Steel Orchestra.
A Bongo Night celebrating his legacy took place on March 11, 2026 at Power Stars Steel Orchestra Panyard.
His funeral on March 12, 2026 included a steelband procession to Lapeyrouse Cemetery, featuring the Veterans Steel Ensemble.
Curtis Rennie (1955–2025)
Arranger, pan maker, and trustee of Harmonites Steel Orchestra for 20 years.
Born: February 24, 1955
Passed: March 7, 2025
His funeral will take place on March 21, 2026.
Franklin Salazar
A cuatro player with Los Pastores, a parang band based in Santa Flora, Trinidad & Tobago.
🌈 Phagwa (Holi) Celebrations in Trinidad & Tobago
Communities across Trinidad & Tobago gathered to celebrate Phagwa, the Hindu festival of colors marking the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring.
At Aranguez Savannah, celebrations included:
chowtal singing
dancing
traditional music
throwing colored powder
🪘Ready, Rhythm & Reset Workshop — African Drumming
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Ajibola hosted the Ready, Rhythm & Reset Workshop, creating a space where women could connect through rhythm, wellness, and cultural practice.
Participants were introduced to African drumming rhythms, including the Kalinda rhythm associated with Trinidad’s stick-fighting traditions, and the Kalikeme Rhythm.
The workshop also included sessions on mental health, self-defense, and cultural awareness.
More on this in the next issue!
Learn to Play Steelpan
Trinidad & Tobago
Desperadoes Youth Steel Orchestra
Ages: 7-21 years
Registration ends: March 14, 2026
Cost: $450 per year
Contact:
1-868-779-3506
1-868-750-7439
1-868-748-4572
Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra
Junior Academy (5-18 years)
Cost: $50 registration fee + $500 per term
Days:
Wednesdays — 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Saturdays — 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Classes begin: March 18, 2026
Senior Academy (18+)
Cost: $50 registration fee + $500 per term
Days: Saturdays — 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Classes begin: March 14, 2026
Canada
Carifest x Pan Dynamicx Steelpan Workshop
Registration currently open
Date: March 29, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Studio Bell, Calgary
Cost: Free
USA
WIADCA Steelpan Workshop
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Dates:
March 14, 2026 — 12 PM to 2 PM (In person)
March 16, 2026 — 5 PM to 7 PM (Virtual)
Cost: Free
Contact: 1-718-467-1797
Learn Cultural Arts
Stilt Walking & Fire Breathing
Kiari Mokos Entertainment is recruiting participants.
Location: Siparia, Trinidad & Tobago
Contact:
WhatsApp only — 1-868-799-3302
African Drum Classes — Neptune’s Drum Classes
Location: Gasparillo Community Center
Cost:
Beginner — $200
Intermediate — $250
Advanced — $300
Classes begin: April 11
Contact:
Jahvin Neptune — 1-868-312-9570
🐣 Easter Camps — Trinidad & Tobago
RoadBlock Steel Orchestra Easter Cultural Camp
Activities include:
Art & Craft
Steelpan
Field Trips
Outdoor Activities
Dance
Cultural Awareness
Location: TIWU Hall, Eastern Main Road, Laventille
Dates: March 31 – April 10, 2026
(Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM)
Cost: $300
Contact:
1-868-736-2745
1-868-373-5840
[email protected]
Hilltoppers Steelpan Academy Easter Pan Camp
Activities include:
Steelpan classes
Ensemble performance training
Music theory basics
Sports & team building activities
Dates: March 30 – April 5, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Cost: $200 per child
Contact:
1-868-357-7787
📅 Upcoming Caribbean Cultural Events
Trinidad & Tobago
Signal Hill Alumni Choir
A Source To Shore — A Musical Journey
In support of the choir’s tour to South Africa in August 2026
Date: March 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Exodus Steel Orchestra Panyard
Cost: Free
San Juan North Secondary School Form 6 Performing Arts Students
Steel & Silk
Date: March 14, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM
Location: San Juan North Compound
Cost:
AM Pass — $60 TTD
PM Pass — $60 TTD
Day Pass — $100 TTD
Contact: 1-868-742-4621
Seated: The Bar — Reggae Sunday: Release
Location: 6 Gimbal Street, Siparia
Time: 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Antigua & Barbuda
Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra 80th Anniversary Gala
Date: Saturday March 14, 2026
Location: Casa Palmadita, Fitches Creek
Cost: $250 XCD
Contact:
1-268-726-8948
1-268-720-2977
National Junior Solo Steelpan Competition
Date: Sunday March 15, 2026
Location: UWI Global Campus
Cost:
Adults — $25 XCD
Children — $15 XCD
United States
Seattle, Washington
Latin Jazz Night at Pam’s Kitchen on 45th
Musicians:
Alfred Marra
Alexianne Maloy
Ricardo Guity
Mauricio Castro
Location: Pam’s Kitchen on 45th
🌐 Stay Connected with Caribbean Culture
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