Earl La Pierre to be Honoured for Contribution to Steel Pan

A special performance and panel to highlight and honour the contribution and impact of Steel Pan Extraordinaire Earl La Pierre in the Cayman Islands is se to take place this December.

Entitled - ‘CAYPAN: Steel Pan Through The Ages – A Celebration of Earl La Pierre’, the event will take place at the Harquail Theater in Grand Cayman at 6:30pm on 15th December.

‘Celebrating the history of steel pan in the Cayman Islands through the eyes of its most prolific teacher and performer, Earl La Pierre Sr, we welcome you to immortalise the people behind our viral tradition of Steel Pan,’ noted a press release announcing the event.

Known as ‘Cayman’s Father of Steel’ Earl La Pierre brought the Steel Pan to the Cayman Islands, initially to perform for the Pirates Week festivities and has since going on to teach thousands of Cayman primary, secondary and tertiary students over the past 36 years.

In addition to creating the soundtrack to the lives of so many young people in the Cayman Islands, Earl La Pierre has made steel pan an integral part of Cayman’s cultural celebrations such as Batabano and Pirates Week, in addition to taking countless Caymanians abroad to perform at the Caribana festival in Toronto, Canada.

In 2010, he was given the Cayman Islands GOLD cross award for a lifetime of high quality engagement in the preservation and celebration of Caymanian culture and is recognised around the world as an arranger and culturally acclaimed, award winning musician.

The evening to celebrate Earl La Pierre is sponsored by CNCF, whose mission is, ‘To stimulate, facilitate and preserve, cultural and artistic expression…..’

A star-studded panel at the event will feature Chambria Dalhouse, an accomplished film scorer and arranger whose credits include performances at Buckingham Palace, for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, alongside international Steel Pannist, as well as founder and band leader of the Fresh Carnival Mas Band, Mr. Olujimi “Jimmeh” La Pierre.

Zarek Deosaran, a Caymanian music producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in New York City will also be there.

As a cultural ambassador for the Cayman Islands, he has performed across the United States, Canada and the Cayman Islands.

His song ‘Down low’ is set to be featured in Dani Coronado’s NYU Tisch Collaborative Arts film, ’18 Roses’. Zarek has also co-written songs with internationally acclaimed artists, including Grammy nominated Producer, Fermin Suero Jr.

Tickets are available at: https://linktr.ee/caypan2022  

Prices are as follows: US$20 (Adults), Children Under 16 enjoy free entry (with online registration).

 Tickets will also be available for CI $20.00 at the gate (subject to availability).