Afropan returns as country’s top steelband
Leader disappointed, however, that there’s no prize money
Ontario, Canada - ....While elated with regaining the title, LaPierre is disappointed that prize money was not at stake in the competition.
“When you consider the amount of work we and the other bands put in for the competition and then to be rewarded with a small trophy is just not right,” said LaPierre, who was honoured last year for his contributions to the Toronto Carnival. “That would not happen in any other part of the world. It’s good to be congratulated for your success, but it’s hard to celebrate when we do not have any money to do that. I am so dejected. The organizers know that people like playing pan in this city and they figure they can do anything to them and exploit us. That has got to stop.”
Replies
Earl is quite right. However there is some appearance money for the bands on that night. When we have lost our hold on our culture, in a foreign land, we are like the children of Israel, how can we sing? The festival is large that there should be prize money in addition to the appearance fees. Let us work hard on regaining the festival , remember that Mas, Kaiso and Pan are contributing art forms to the festival and let us add the theatre/comedy/dance - place good people to run it and we will no longer cry!!!