Trinidad & Tobago Chinese Steel Ensemble visits Toronto

Following successful tours to Dublin in 2010 and Beijing in 2014, the Trinidad & Tobago Chinese Steel Ensemble (TTCSE) will once again be spreading its unique blend of T&T music abroad when it visits Toronto from June 29 to July 15 2019.

At the invitation of Earl La Pierre, Manager of Afropan Steel Band, the TTCSE will be gearing up for a well-deserved cultural exchange for its young and talented players to showcase not only their talents and skills, but also their dedication and commitment to our national instrument that they all share with a passion.

The band will be performing at the Cherry Street Car Park before the popular Xpats Carnival Cruise on July 06 and at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto for their Summerfest event on July 13.  During the band’s two week overseas stint, apart from the above events, they will be the featured guest performer at other private engagements including at a popular Chinese restaurant in Mississauga on July 4, with a repeat performance on July 08.

The tour promises to give the band members the opportunity not only to perform outside of Trinidad and Tobago, but also to allow them to enjoy international cuisine, visits to cultural centres and, for some, the experience of traveling and bonding with their peers.

Because the group depends on contributions and donations, an elegant fundraising event of sweet pan and international cuisine dubbed “In a Monastery Garden” was hosted at one of its supporter’s home in Ellerslie Park in March. A few leading restaurants, top chefs and corporate benefactors contributed towards this sold out event. Due to an overwhelming response for a repeat, the gala event is proposed for early to mid- November 2019.

For more information on the band, check their Facebook page (Trinidad and Tobago Chinese Steel Ensemble) and their YouTube channel.