TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin One thing I miss

I love the island and appreciate what each side has to offer. However, when I was reading another post regarding noise pollution it reminded me of the one thing that I was surprised not hearing more when I first visited and as I continue to do each year...and that is island style music, i.e. steel drums, margaritaville type music being played during the day at the beach bars, hotel pools and restaurants. Instead, I hear much of the same music that we hear in the states. Much of what the sound is older Michael Jackson type songs. I realize that the island caters to many nationalities but being on vacation in the caribbean and hearing some reggae, salsa or the sound of steel drums in the background really enhances the mood. Throw in your favorite cocktail or beer and what more can you ask for. i find it ironic that I have to bring my island music cd's with me to get my fix. Am I the only one who found this strange?

I agree with you 100%. In fact, we are returning to SXM in July, staying in simpson bay, and I have been searching this forum for info about steel drum/reggae bands that play on the island. I understand why most places play the generic stuff, but I'm surprised we don't hear even a little island music during our stay. Maybe we're just not going to the right places. Well, either way, we are dealing with yet ANOTHER winter storm here in NYC, so right now I don't care if all I hear during our stay this summer is Yoko Ono, so long as I don't have to wear 5 layers of clothes to hear it. That said----let's ask the forum: where are all the steel drums???

We have heard a few steel drum bands in Grand Case during Harmony Nights. Not the same level as the steel drum bands playing classical music at Shirley Heights on Antigua. Not sure where else you can hear what you're after unless maybe during Mardi Gras.

Check out Sunset Reggae Sunday at Calamos Cafe in Grand Case on the beach, great food and service

Ditto!
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Divi Little Bay generally has a steel drum performer at least one day during our visit. Also, I recall a steel band performing at the old airport. It would be nice to have one on the dock as the cruise ship passengers disembark. I love the sound!

I too find this is one thing missing in our visits to the island! I love that "island music"!

I'll definitely put Calamos Cafe on my things to do during next visit and research when Divi has a steel drum band.Thank you for the great suggestions. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I haven't been there on Sunday for a long time, but Pedro's used to have a steel drum guy on Sunday, and possibly some other days, if there are ships in.

Yes, the Pan Band at the old airport was great.
It was nice to hear upon arrival. Festive.
cheers
irina

There is usually a steel drum performer near the check in desk at Divi on Saturday afternoons, during the prime arrival time. Some years it's been a group of young people. This week it was a young man playing steel drum in accompaniment to prerecorded instrumentals of a variety of songs, including contemporary ones like Get Happy. It was fun to hear.

We heard a group of young people laying last week in Grand Case during the Tuesday night festivities. They were in an area off the street, so not very visible, but we heard them and noticed because others had stopped to listen.

Had a guy playing a steel drum at SBR last weekend. Nice!

The regatta part in Philipsburg tomorrow night will have The Mighty Dow playing steel pan.

Party