Documenting Caribbean culture, icons, steelpan, carnival, and music — connecting the Caribbean and its diaspora through stories, sound, and history.

March 26, 2026

Hello and welcome to this week’s issue of I Am Living My Life: Culture Archives — a weekly look at Caribbean culture, heritage, music, and community.

Table of Contents

🎶 Dr Pelham Goddard - A Celebration of Sound and Legacy

Image courtesy Peter Sandy

Mark your calendars for March 20, 2026. Kafe Blue in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago will be the place to be as legendary producer, arranger, and cultural icon Dr. Pelham Goddard hosts Echoes of an Era – a live showcase of the music that has helped shape Carnival across generations.

🎼 A Pioneer of Modern Carnival Sound

Dr. Pelham Goddard’s musical journey began in St. James, Trinidad, where his early exposure to rhythm came through tassa drumming during Hosay. His path shifted when a piano entered his home, setting him on a course that would shape Caribbean music for decades.

By the 1970s, he was already pushing boundaries – helping to introduce the synthesizer into calypso and expanding the sound of the genre. He went on to work with some of the region’s greatest artists, contributing to the development of soca and modern carnival music.

🎉 The King of the Road

If you’ve ever chipped down the road on Carnival Tuesday, chances are you’ve experienced the work of Dr. Pelham Goddard.

He is associated with 13 Road March titles, working with icons such as Calypso Rose, Superblue, and David Rudder, and producing songs that have become part of the cultural fabric of Trinidad and Tobago.

🛢️ Master of the Steelpan

Dr. Goddard’s influence extends deeply into the steelband movement. From his early days in Starlift, he went on to become a defining force with Exodus Steel Orchestra, leading the band to multiple Panorama victories and international recognition.

🏅 A Decorated Legacy

  • Hummingbird Medal (Silver) – 1994

  • Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt), UWI – 2019

Learn more about Dr. Pelham Goddard

🔍 Read When Steel Talk’s spotlight on Dr Pelham Goddard:

🎥 Watch the Corie Sheppard Podcast Interview:

Through decades of innovation, Dr. Pelham Goddard has helped define the sound of Caribbean music.

🎶 Celebrating a living legend - Crazy turns 82

Crazy at Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra’s panyard during the 2026 Panorama season

Edwin Ayoung, known to many as “Crazy” or “Uncle Crazy,” celebrated his 82nd birthday on March 19, 2026.

A true icon of Trinidad and Tobago’s music scene, Crazy has been performing calypso for over 55 years and is credited with creating the Parang Soca genre. His 1978 hit “Parang Soca” (Maria) laid the foundation for a sound that remains central to the Christmas season today.

🎶 Still Impacting the Culture

His influence continues across generations. In Panorama 2026, his song “Band from Space,” co-produced with Amrit Samaroo, achieved remarkable success:

  • 🥇 Small Bands – Uptown Fascinators (arranged by Ojay Richards)

  • 🥇 Under 21 Junior Bands – Shell Invaders Youth Steel Orchestra (arranged by Rashaun Myers Williams)

🏅 Recognition

  • Hummingbird Silver Medal (Culture) – awarded in 2022
    (as part of the delayed 2020 National Awards)

🎤 Some of Crazy’s Popular Songs

  • Parang Soca (Maria)

  • Nani Wine

  • Drive It

  • Dustbin Cover

  • Band from Space

At 82, Crazy’s music continues to connect generations – bridging parang, soca, and steelpan, and reminding us of the power of innovation in Caribbean culture.

🏃🏾‍♂️ A Historic Double Victory at Grenada’s 2026 Intercol Games

Image courtesy

If you grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, you may associate “Intercol” with intercollegiate football – but in Grenada, Intercol is one of the most anticipated track and field championships of the year.

The 2026 Intercollegiate (Intercol) Games, organized by the Grenada Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (GAPSS), wrapped up after three days of high-energy competition, school pride, and standout performances.

🏆 A Historic Achievement in Grenada’s Sporting History

The biggest story of the championship was the incredible performance by St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS).

SAASS made history by securing a double victory, winning both the Boys’ and Girls’ divisions – a first in Intercol history.

  • 🥇 Girls’ Division Champions (4th title)

  • 🥇 Boys’ Division Champions (22nd title)

  • 🔢 26 total titles overall

🔥 Dominance Across the Board

SAASS didn’t just win – they dominated.

The school swept multiple individual titles, including:

  • Sub-Junior Male Champion

  • Junior Male Champion

  • Senior Male Champion

  • Senior Female Champion

  • Victor Ludorum

📊 Final Results

Girls’ Division
1️⃣ SAASS
2️⃣ St. David’s Catholic Secondary School (SDCSS)
3️⃣ St. Joseph’s Convent, St. George’s

Boys’ Division
1️⃣ SAASS
2️⃣ Grenada Boys’ Secondary School (GBSS)
3️⃣ Presentation Brothers’ College (PBC)

🎺 Beyond the Track

The celebrations extended beyond athletics, with:

  • St. David’s Catholic Secondary School

  • The Anglican High School

taking top honors in the 2026 March Past Display, recognized for their coordination, presentation, and school spirit.

The celebrations didn’t stop at the stadium. On social media, videos showed students and supporters taking to the streets in celebration. It looked like a carnival atmosphere, with crowds following music trucks and celebrating the historic win together.

Congratulations to all the athletes and schools for a successful and memorable Intercol 2026.

💡 Did You Know?

Intercol in Grenada is one of the island’s biggest school sporting events – bringing together thousands of students, supporters, and alumni each year, and serving as a key platform for developing future national athletes.

Alumni of all ages also show their school pride by attending in pieces of their school uniform, creating a powerful sense of tradition, identity, and community in the stands.

🃏🎤 Cards, Karaoke, and Plenty Vibes

The build-up to ComPANions Sports and Family Day, held annually in Trinidad and Tobago on the Indian Arrival Day holiday, has officially begun – and things are already off to a lively start.

ComPANions is a community-driven initiative that brings together steelbands across the country, creating space for unity, friendly competition, and good vibes, all leading up to the highly anticipated Sports and Family Day.

On Friday 20 March 2026, the bp Renegades Panyard set the stage for the first round of All Fours competitions, with representatives from 18 bands coming out to take part. But it wasn’t just about the cards…

As the night unfolded, the energy shifted into full lime mode with an added karaoke session, where pannists and supporters showed off their vocal skills, proving that the talent doesn’t stop at the pan. From competitive but friendly rounds of cards to impromptu performances, it was a true celebration of community.

Upcoming Pre-Activity Schedule for ComPANions 2026

  • Thursday 2 April – Curepe Scherzando

  • Friday 17 April – Phase II Pan Groove

  • Friday 15 May – Desperadoes

  • Friday 22 May – Proman Starlift

  • Friday 29 May – Massy Trinidad All Stars (All Fours Playoffs)

For updates and more information, follow the ComPANions Facebook page.

🕊️ Culture Tribute

Irwin “Maddy” Jordan

Fascinators Pan Symphony

“Maddy” was a 9 bass player and iron man with Fascinators Pan Symphony

Sade Lea Smith

Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra

Sade was member of Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra. Funeral took place on March 26, 2026.

James Inniss & Nancy Inniss

Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra

James, and Nancy were members of Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra. A memorial will be held in their honor on Sunday 29 March, 2026 at the Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra Panyard from 5:00 PM.

Learn to Play Steelpan

Trinidad & Tobago

Hop Into Steelpan Workshop

Ages: 4 - 11yrs
Date: Tuesday 31st March, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Cost: $100

Contact: 1-868-464-2870

C&B CrownCordaans Steel Orchestra


Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Saturdays — 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Registration begins: March 21, 2026

Location:
C&B Crowncordaans Panyard
Milford Road, Canaan, Tobago

Contact:
Mr. Trim: 1-868-756-8579
Ms. Hamilton: 1-868-333-5054
Ms. Mitchell: 1-868-772-9078

Arima Angel Harps Steel Orchestra

Classes start: Saturday 11 April, 2026
Cost: $100 Registration Fee + $200 per month


Contact:
Mersuda: 1-868-487-1481
Noel Edwards: 1-868-706-4144
Soriya: 1-868-796-0462

Couva Joylanders Steel Orchestra

16 and over
Tuesdays — 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Classes begin: Tuesday 14 April, 2026

15 and under
Tuesdays — 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Classes begin: Thursday 16 April, 2026

Contact: 1-868-681-2245

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

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, 2026

Contact:
Jahvin Neptune — 1-868-312-9570

Frontline School of Drums & Siparia Committee Council

A Grand Drum Workshop
Location: Siparia Community Center

Date: April 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Cost: Free

Contact:
1-868-315-7427
18680735-1592

🐣 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

View upcoming events on website

Trinidad & Tobago

Fire Service Steel Orchestra
Curry Q

Date: Friday 27 March, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Fire Service Headquarters - Wrightson Rd, POS

Cost:
Chicken - $50
Vege - $45

Contact: Joel John: 1-868-384-7284

Naparima Girls High School
Art Island - featuring Nailah Blackman, Freetown Collective & more

Date: March 29, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Naparima Girls High School

Soul & Steel
Evening of Inspiration & Music

Date: Friday 27 March, 2026
Time: 7 PM
Location: Naparima Bowl Courtyard
Cost: $150

Contact:
Joel John: 1-868-766-3394
Kadir Mohammed: 1-868-388-4345

Pelham Goddard
Echoes of an Era - featuring Oscar B, Carol Jacobs, Natalie Yorke, Dennis Smith

Date: Saturday 28 March, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Kafe Blue
Cost: $200

Seated: The Bar

R&B Saturday

Location: 6 Gimbal Street, Siparia
Date: Saturday 28 March, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Cost: Free

Reggae Sunday: Resiliance

Location: 6 Gimbal Street, Siparia
Date: Sunday 29 March, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Cost: Free

D’ Brimblers Steel Orchestra
2nd Annual Breakfast Takeaway

Date: March 29, 2026
Time: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: 7 Warren St, Woodbrook (at the panyard)
Cost: $40
Contact: Dana - 1-868-736-5379

Naparima Girls High School
Art Island - featuring Nailah Blackman, Freetown Collective & more

Date: March 29, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Naparima Girls High School

ComPANions
All Fours & Karaoke

Date: April 2, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Curepe Scherzando Panyard

Cost: Free

Skiffle Steel Orchestra
Good Friday Sports & Family Day (Cooler event) - cricket, 5 ah side football, all 4’s

Date: April 3, 2026
Location: Skiffle Steel Orchestra Panyard

Cost: Free

Antigua & Barbuda

PMS Pan Week 2026 Blockorama

Date: March 28, 2026
Time: 6:00pm
Location: PMS School Grounds
Performances by: Panache Steel Orchesta, 7+ Primary and Secondary Schools

🌐 Stay Connected with Caribbean Culture

Thank you for reading Culture Archives from I Am Living My Life.

If you know of a cultural event, steelpan program, or community initiative that should be featured in a future edition, feel free to reach out.

📲 Follow I Am Living My Life

YouTube@iamlivingmylife
Facebook@iamlivingmylife
Instagram@tisha.t.tish
TikTok@tisha.t.tish

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe to receive future editions of Culture Archives directly in your inbox. Sign up here.

Tired of news that feels like noise?

Every day, 4.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news fix. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture — all in a brief 5-minute email. No spin. No slant. Just clarity.

Keep Reading