We are delighted to share some fantastic news! Two films from Trinidad and Tobago will be featured at the upcoming DC Caribbean Film Festival at AFI Silver Spring.

On opening night, Friday 6th June, Panazz… THE STORY will take center stage, offering a compelling look at the legacy of Trinidad and Tobago’s rich musical culture. Another engaging film from our homeland will also be showcased at this year's festival, further highlighting the vibrancy of our cinematic talent.

In recognition of Caribbean-American Heritage Month in June, the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is proud to once again host the DC Caribbean FilmFest, now in its 23rd year. The Fest is co-presented with the Caribbean Association of World Bank Group and IMF Staff (CAWI), Caribbean Professionals Network (CPN), Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and Africa World Now Project.   

Special thanks to media sponsor WPFW. 

Panazz....THE STORY a film co-produced by Finbar 'Barry' Bartholomew and Adam Bartholomew will  be the opening night presentation on Friday 6th June 2025. at AFI Silver theatres in Silver Spring.

Winner of the People’s Choice Award at the 2023 Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival, Panazz...THE STORY chronicles the formation, impact and legacy of Panazz — one of the most influential and genre-defying steel-pan ensembles to emerge from Trinidad and Tobago. Through intimate interviews, archival performances and breathtaking visuals of the Trinidad and Tobago landscape, this film invites audiences into a powerful celebration of innovation, resilience and cultural pride. Blending original compositions and steel-pan arrangements from Panazz’s five re-released albums with emotionally resonant storytelling, the documentary explores how a small Caribbean band defied social expectations and changed the global perception of what steel-pan music and performance could be.

(Note courtesy of the filmmakers.) DIR/PROD Adam Bartholomew, Barry Bartholomew. Trinidad and Tobago, 2023, color, 79 min. NOT RATED  Reception sponsored by Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago and The Caribbean Association of World Bank/IMF

 

THE ENIGMA OF HAROLD SONNY LADOO

Saturday 7th June - 2:45pm  and  Tuesday 10th June - 5:30pm

In 1972, Trinidadian author Harold Sonny Ladoo published his first novel, “No Pain Like This Body,” a poetic yet devastating depiction of life during Indian indentureship in Trinidad, now recognized as a classic of Caribbean literature. Ladoo’s second novel, “Yesterdays,” one of the queerest works of Caribbean fiction, was published in 1974 — the same year his battered body was found by a roadside in Trinidad; he was 28. In this new documentary, director Richard Fung draws on a 20-year-old video archive of interviews with Ladoo’s family, friends and literary contemporaries in an attempt to piece together the puzzle of his complex life. (Note courtesy of BAM.) DIR Richard Fung. Trinidad and Tobago/Canada, 2024, color, 84 min. NOT RATED  BUY TICKETS

This year's lineup includes films from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, French Guiana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Martinque 

CARIBBEAN CULTURAL CONCERT

SUNDAY 9TH AUGUST 2025

FREEDOM PLAZA

1455 PENNSYLVANIA AVE. NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20004

2:00pm - 8:00pm

  

The Trinidad and Tobago Association will host its Family Day on August 15th 2025.

The announcement of the PAN IN THE DMV story was well received at January's General Meeting. The guest speaker, Mr. Roland Barnes, explained the reason for undertaking the project as a necessity to document a historical record of the area's contribution to the development of the voice of the steel drum in the tri state area.

Many pannists and pan lovers tuned in a participated in the discussion that followed Roland’s address. The audience expressed their appreciation to Mr. Barnes for his decision to undertake the much-needed endeavor. There was a suggestion that the website article should be expanded to include contributions of other individual members of the movement in the area, as well as stories about several of the Steelband shows such as the Baltimore Panorama, the DC Pan Jamboree, and the Virginia Beach Panorama.

There was some nostalgia about the fact that there is no longer a PMSO Pan Jamboree, which led to several folks suggesting that a revival be considered. This suggestion was well received, and this led the president to suggest that the External Outreach Committee could collaborate with community partners to design the next best way to bring a Steelband centric replacement event for the area. Several partners have expressed interest. 

There was also a discussion pertaining to the current approach to how we present, with some younger members pointing out that our method of communication is not reaching the youth, something the Communications Committee is taking a close look at. Also, it was pointed out that regarding Steelband, we must look at the market it serves, not just the immigrant Caribbean market, but the market in the US.

The Guest Speaker segment of the General meeting has proven to be a viable catalyst to bring more interest to the organization, so the Association welcomes any suggestions for speakers or topics the members think would be helpful. Please email us at info@ttadc.org

THE ALONZOBASH PODCAST

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View this interview with current  TTADC President -  CLICK  HERE       

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