It was a steel-drum singalong!
Local performers took the stage at a Fort Greene school on Dec. 17 as part of a concert put on by a Caribbean-culture group, but it was crowd members who stole the show when they joined in the festivities by making tunes with utensils distributed ahead of the main event, according to an organizer.
“The audience really got to be part of the show, we gave them bottles and spoons to make music,” said Alton Aimable, the president of Tropical Fete.
The spectators played along as the Tropical Fete Steel Pan ensemble opened and closed the show at Brooklyn Music School, which also featured a performance of Bob Marley’s hit “One Love” by members of the group’s choir, according to Aimable, who said the free annual production draws new fans with each rendition and this year’s was no exception.
“We had good performances and a good turnout this year,” he said. “The show was great.”
Tropical Fete hosts the end-of-year concert to showcase its members’ musical and dance abilities, its president said, and to draw the performers’ equally-talented relatives and friends to the organization.
“It’s our final event of the year and we showcase all of the talents and different disciplines we offer,” Aimable said. “People get to see what the students learn over the course of year, and performers showcase talents that compete with those of professionals.”