'Mr. Pong' and the Steel Pan at Springdale
by Dan Mullins
Springdale Elementary School welcomed Mr. Pong as part of their multifaceted observance of Black History Month. A little before noon, students from all grades filed into the gym as the steel pan that Mr. Pong would demonstrate was taken out of its case, which sports the flag of Trinidad and Tobago, and set up.
Before Mr. Pong began his presentation, however, Springdale students under the guidance of Spiritual Animator Sandra King had a presentation of their own. Speaking about several themes from Black History in Canada and the United States, about a dozen students took the mic, each weaving a strand into a tapestry telling a broad story about Black History and hope for justice and equality.
Then Mr. Pong took the stage and things got lively. Striking up a conversation with the assembled students, he said “I play this wonderful instrument, called a steel pan! Has anyone seen a steel pan before?” Throughout his presentation and performance, Mr. Pong kept up this conversation with the students, soliciting guesses as to the country of origin of the instrument, and eventually receiving the answer he was looking for: Trinidad and Tobago.
Students born in February were celebrated with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Mr. Pong went on to explain that Bob Marley was an Aquarian, having been born on February 6th, and then launching into a version of “Is This Love” by the famous Jamaican reggae artist. He described how the steel pan was a young instrument, and informed the assembled students that it is the only widely-used acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century, and expertly weaving stories about the origins of the steel pan and Black history around his performances.
When Mr. Pong invited audience members to get up and dance to some contemporary hits he began to play, the gymnasium erupted in enthusiastic and joyful revelry, with Springdale’s diverse students and staff showing off some moves. A group of Grade 6 students formed a breakdancing circle and showed off some moves.
At the end of the performance, the school gave Mr. Pong a big round of applause, looking forward to his anticipated return, as he would give interactive workshops to individual classes in the music room later in the month.
“The Springdale kids were great,” said Mr. Pong, whose real name is Ukpong Etang, after the show. “Very interactive without being disruptive. Springdale is the place to be!”
Springdale’s committed Black History Month Committee planned a full slate of activities for the month. These included Spirit Days: Unity Wednesday in early February when students would wear the colours of the Pan-African Flag; One Love on Valentine’s Day, which lent a Black History Month flavour to Valentine’s Day celebrations; and Blackout Wednesday in which students would wear black in an expression of solidarity and support for equality and justice for all races. The Pan-African Flag was presented to individual classes, there was Mr. Pong’s presentation and the practical workshops, and a visit from author Pat Nicholson. There was also a Door Decoration activity, in which each class’s door is decorated according to the theme of diversity, and a later “gallery walk” giving students the opportunity to appreciate each class’s work. They planned a Diversity Mural workshop with LBPSB Arts Consultant Frank Caracciolo, and a tap dancing presentation by Justin Jackson, whose visit to Children’s World Academy is featured in this issue.
