NASHVILLE, Tenn. ñ Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory will take on the festive air of Carnival time in the Caribbean on Sunday, April 24, when the Commodore Steel Drum Band performs as part of the Music on the Mountain concert series.
“It‘s a happy music,” said Mat Britain, director of the Commodore Steel Drum Band, which has 27 members and was formed last fall. “It‘s really hard to be in a bad mood when you‘re playing or listening to calypso music and the steel drums.”
The concert is free, but limited to 500 people. Gates open at 4 p.m. for the 6 p.m. show. Dyer Observatory is located at 1000 Oman Drive, off Granny White Pike between Old Hickory Boulevard and Otter Creek Road, near Richland Country Club. A map is available at www.dyer.vanderbilt.edu/directions.htm.
Parking will be at the Bethel World Outreach Center on the corner of Old Hickory Boulevard and Granny White Pike, with shuttles transporting concert attendees to the observatory.
Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic and bring blankets and lawn chairs for comfort. In case of inclement weather, call 615-373-4897 or check the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory website at www.dyer.vanderbilt.edu for updates. Concert attendees will be welcome to view the stars through the observatory‘s Seyfert telescope after the performance.
The Commodore Steel Drum Band performs on steel drums handcrafted out of 55 gallon oil barrels by Trinidad native Ellie Mannette. Their repertoire includes melodies from Trinidad, Cuba and Jamaica, including “Jammin‘” by Bob Marley.
Media contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
Jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu