There is a youth (i think) Stell Drum group on STJ that is supposed to be good. Try searching through the STJ websites for info on them and where they are playing while you are there. Didn't hear ANY steel drum music in Cruz Bay the whole week we were there. Oddly enough, they seem to have Jazz everywhere.

Thanks Kathleen

I had heard about the jazz on Cruz Bay. I hear they have a evening jazz every Sunday. Did you ever check that out?

Speaking of entertainment, does anyone know if Fred's will be open for music/dancing in November? Last year we were there during the first week in November and they hadn't started up the band again yet. Any insiders with an update? Downtown- we've been to STJ 5 times and have seen the student steel drum band each trip, always in Cruz Bay, sometimes at Mongoose Junction and sometimes in the Park next to the ferries for various holiday events. Very sweet kids but I have no idea how you would find out what kind of schedule they have.

We just noticed that if there were "live" musicians in the restaurants that they seemed to be Jazz artists usually... I expected more of a tropical feel to the music but actually the jazz was very relaxing and suited the mood of the evenings very well. Have to say, though, that live music was only on certain nights and at certain restaurants so you'll have to do a little homework to find it on STJ if it's important to you... Is this your first visit? I am so jealous... I can't get STJ out of mind. We were there for the first time in July and are totally hooked!

Second time. I went 2 February's ago, and have been dreaming of going back since. The first time we stuck to St. Thomas (with a half day snorkeling trip out by St. John), but this time we are exploring St. John and Jost Van Dyke. I will have to do a little research and see what I can come up with re: the steel drums. Figured this was a good place to start. Everyone is very helpful.

Wow - research didn't take long at all. Someone told me to check out stthomasthisweek.com, and look what I found:

Island Entertainment

STEEL PAN BAND & CALYPSO
Agave Terrace,
775-4142 Tues and Thurs from 7 to 10 pm (Aben Marrero on Steel Pan)

Beach House,
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, 775-1800 Thurs and Sat from 7 to 10 pm (Donald Hebert on Steel Pan)

Blue Moon Café,
Secret Harbor Resort, 779-2262 Fri 7 to 10 (Andrew Douglas on Steel Pans)

Bonnie’s By The Sea,
Elysian Resort, 774-8868 Wed 6:30 to 9:30 (Andrew Douglas on Steel Pans) Fri 6:30 to 9:30 ("Mighty Whitey" aka Nicky Russell, calypso favorites)

The Greenhouse,
774-7998 Fri 10 pm to 2 am ("P’Your Passion Band" calypso and soca); Sunday Brunch 11:30 am to 2:30 pm (Steel Pan)

Indigo Bar & Restaurant,
Magens Point Resort, 776-0474 Mon 6 to 9 (Andrew Douglas on Steel Pans)

Mafolie Hotel & Restaurant, 774-2790 Fri from 7 to 9:30 pm (Morgan Rael on Steel Pan)

The Palms Restaurant,
Emerald Beach Resort, 777-8800 Fri 6 to 9:30 (Aben Marrero on Steel Pan)

ST. JOHN
The Westin St. John Beach Café, 693-8000 Fri 7 to 10 (Glen Samuel on Steel Pan)

The youth steel pan group on St. John you are thinking about is called the Love City Pan Dragons. They have a pretty comprehensive web site, www.pandragons.org.

Jazz on Sunday afternoon at the Beach Bar. Another highlight is to catch Inner Visions at Fred's on Wednesdays when they're back on the island. They tour on the mainland during the summer and into the fall. When they get back to STJ depends upon mainland bookings. Other bars have music sometimes, but it's less set. Keep your eyes open when you're there. Never knew of any regular steel drum performances. The Pan Dragons pop up now and then, often for special events.

The schedule on the Inner Visions website doesn't have them booked after early September, so they may be back early this year

http://www.digitaldudes.com/home.htm

Cool website, thanks Lex, we'll keep our fingers crossed!

Here is another that is a solo player. Very good.
http://www.victorpanman.com/

RL