A post from Panist Jahlani Roberts

Dear Panorama Junkies, 
I emailed WIADCA. Happy Reading. Happy Rama 2k17

Once again, in reference to the the above email regarding payments please referring to the band leader for the band you played and the President to the Steelband Association Martin Douglas.

The organization is quite aware of the sacrifice that the pan men put in to ensure that they are ready for the Panorama competition every year. What you may not be aware that the Panorama competition cost the organization approximately $90,000.00 in prize not including the stage that has to be built to support the weight of the steel and all the additional expenses which includes but not limited to insurance, light, sound, venue, security etc.

Contrary, to belief the the organization does not make money /profit over the Labor Day weekend. It's because of the love for the culture we continue to put on the presentation year after year. For the past few years we have been struggling with the bands for 1 main reason, wristbands are issued to the bands to be worn by their players giving them access to the museum grounds, how can we pay our prizes early when we have bands who sell and/or give away those bands to friends, family etc.

The Labor Day weekend of events and the parade itself is not funded by the government which means we have to depend on tickets sales and sponsorship to offset out expenses both of which is a constant struggle.

Once again please contact your bandleader and /or contrary, president of the Steelband association.

Angela Sealy
Chairperson

You need to be a member of When Steel Talks to add comments!

Join When Steel Talks

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • As i stated in post b4 bands need to ask for half up front and the rest the day of. Now WIDCA or any one with business sense will never do a show or event for so many years if they are not generating a profit. Why are band leaders allowing people to take them for a fool stop taking part in the event then they will wake up. 

  • My opinion on this topic is as follows. First, I blame all the steelbands in New York because they should have boycotted WIADCA panorama a long time ago. Second, the bands need to disassociate themselves from the so called USSA which does nothing for steelbands here in New York. This steelband association needs a new president as well as a new executive board that know how to run an organization and not looking to line their pockets with money. Third, the steelbands need to unite as one entity if we are ever to advance Steelpan culture to the level I know it can reach. Finally, WIADCA has its faults but for years, it's the so called United States Steelpan Association that has been keeping the bands down by not representing steelbands and fighting for bands the way they should be. Time for the bands to boycott panorama and get rid of the current USSA Executive Board, including the President..
    • George: Long time I eh see somebody KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE on this forum. But you could just as well substitute a few words and you will be talking about steelbands in TRINIDAD.

      However, steelbands like dey PANORAMA too bad so nobody eh boycotting nothing!!!

  • I believe we need tattoo all band members to their respective bands. This way we can eliminate money fraud and maintain band loyalty. More money for those with the largest visible tattoo.

  • The virus of the movements continues to spread. What a bunch of crap, at least Pan Trinbago has someone who can read and spell. Are these folks fuh real? Scuse my spelling, eh?
    • ... however, Mr. Ramdoo, at the end of the day, when all is said and done, in the final analysis -- THERE WILL BE A PANORAMA and everybody will be ECSTATIC and tripping over themselves by the magical steelband performances and musical creativity of the arrangers at this MAIN EVENT.

      • Yes sir, you got it!
        • That is what makes the Steelband/Pan what it is, don try to measure it wid no body yardstick.

          • Cecil: Do you think that you can fill in the blank in the lines below?

            "------- composes his pieces by layering different types of drums on top of each other. The engine room, made of unpitched percussion, lays down the groove. Next a section of six bass pans drops a bass line. The guitar and cello pans add harmonies that sound kind of like strumming. And the front line pans play the melody. The result: a symphonic wall of sound.”

            • You are right, odw, boogsie!!!

              That passage came from PARTS UNKNOWN -- TRINIDAD!!!

This reply was deleted.