Award-Winning Trinidadian Steel Drummer Presents Free Public Performance at Mission San Luis

Tallahassee –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner and the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources invite the public to a performance of Trinidadian steel drum music at Mission San Luis, Thursday evening, September 25, 2014, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  The program, sponsored by the Florida Folklife Program and the Florida State University Center for Music of the Americas, will feature a musical performance and presentation by award-winning Trinidadian steel drum builder and performer, Michael Kernahan, backed by the Florida State University steel drum ensemble, Mas ’n Steel, led by Mia Gormandy.

 "We are excited to welcome the public to Mission San Luis for this free performance," said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. "Mr. Kernahan is an extraordinary performer and educator who exemplifies the depth and diversity of Florida’s traditional cultural heritage.”

Mr. Kernahan is one of the state’s most highly regarded steel drum builders and performers, and has served as the leader and arranger for Miami’s 21^st Century Steel Orchestra since the 1990s. He received a 2005 Florida Folk Heritage Award for his significant contributions to Florida’s folk cultural heritage through his outstanding achievements as a performer, teacher, and advocate for Trinidadian steel drum music. Mr. Kernahan will be joined at Mission San Luis by Mas ‘n Steel from Florida State University. Mr. Kernahan and Mas ‘n Steel will present various forms of Trinidadian steel drum music, including calypsos, Carnival music, and American popular tunes.

While in Tallahassee, Mr. Kernahan will also visit Ruediger Elementary School and Florida State University to conduct instructional workshops with steel drum students and members of local steel drum ensembles. This program is funded in part with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts’ Folk & Traditional Arts Program. Mission San Luis is located at 2100 West Tennessee Street in Tallahassee. Visit Mission San Luis on Facebook or missionsanluis.org for more information about the public performance.

###

 About the Florida Folklife Program

The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources, documents and presents Florida’s folklife, folklore and folk arts. The program coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida’s traditional culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and present Florida folklife, the program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation. For more information visit flheritage.com/preservation/folklife/.