A Christimas Party in Scorpion Alley, Carenage

On Sunday 23rd November 2014, the recently reactivated Scorpion Revival Youth Group joined hands with the community Sunday school to have a Christmas party, concert and dinner for the children of Scorpion Alley, Carenage. Final preparations were ongoing from early in the morning, with some of the young men in the community volunteering to scrub the yard with brooms and buckets, and touch up the walls with paint donated by a well-wisher [Brother Alvin] in the church.

‘Paramin’ Parang Festival 2009

On December 18, 2009, Paramin Parang Festival moved from its traditional Paramin home to the Trinidad Country Club in Maraval. This album depicts the bands and artistes that performed as well as scenes from the crowd during the night’s proceedings.

Morvant Epiphany Anglican Primary School – Spirit of Christmas

The Morvant Epiphany Anglican Primary School hosted their Christmas party entitled “Spirit of Christmas” on Wednesday 09th, 2009. This event was held on the school’s compound located on Dos Santos Street, Morvant. The party included a fashion show, a puppet show and a dance competition.

Christmas with the Marionettes Chorale

Christmas with the Marionettes Chorale took place on December 03, 2009, at Queen’s Hall, P.O.S. The choir, headed by Gretta Taylor featured several Christmas favorites sang in operatic fashion. Featured were some of the Chorales star singers and musicians who all delighted the audience with their talents.

Origins and Nature of Parang Music

Parang Music has long been associated with Christmas festivities. The word parang originally came from the word ‘paranda’ meaning merry making. Traditional parang bands made up of parenderos consist of singers and musicians who play the guitar, the mandolin, the cuatro, the violin, the maracs, the clapper, the box bass, the tambourine, the scratcher (güiro) and the toc-toc (claves). Other non-traditional instruments such as the dolak and the steelpan are sometimes included but this has caused some controversy within the Parang fraternity.