The Jit Samaroo Festival, a vibrant celebration of the life and legacy of the legendary steelpan arranger and composer, commenced on October 31 at the First Citizens Supernovas Panyard in Surrey Village, Lopinot. The three-day event, running through November 2, honors Samaroo, who would have turned 75 this year, and continues to inspire the steelpan community and Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural identity. The festival opened with the screening of two documentary films: ‘From Surrey With Love,’ a 20-minute short chronicling Supernovas’ 2025 journey to Iron Park, and ‘Iconography: Jit Samaroo,’ a 90-minute film that debuted in August, offering an intimate look into Samaroo’s life and musical journey through interviews, rare footage, and photographs. On November 1, a seminar at the University of the West Indies’ Department of Creative and Festival Arts in St Augustine will delve into Samaroo’s enduring influence, featuring panelists Satanand Sharma, Dr. Jeannine Remy, Carlton Maltin, and Wesley Gibbings, moderated by Jessel Murray. The festival will culminate on November 2 with ‘The Grand Concert’ at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, showcasing performances by the National Steel Symphony Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, First Citizens Supernovas, and BP Renegades. Attendees will be treated to Samaroo’s timeless arrangements and Panorama classics. Tickets, priced at $250, are available at NAPA’s box office, Island E-Tickets, and the panyards of Supernovas and Renegades.