When Biting Insects and Fossils meet Pan: A Terminal Case of the Wrong People, in the Wrong Place, at the Wrong Time

[Pan Times]

New York, USA - A funny thing happened to When Steel Talks (WST) on our way to the annual coverage of the 2014 New York Panorama this year. WST unexpectedly became part of the story. Not that WST was seeking, or in need of - “street cred” within the Pan community; however being singled out by WIADCA (West Indian American Day Carnival Association) sure doesn’t hurt one’s credibility in the steelpan music community - as such is the disdain and low-level regard WIADCA has historically been held in by the New York steelpan community. Hey, but that’s nothing new.

This is an op-ed we didn’t expect to write or have the time for. We are knee-deep in articles and content and way behind in some cases already: what with NY and Grenada’s Junior Panorama, London Panorama, Antigua & Barbuda Panorama, St. Vincent Panorama, South Africa’s International Marimba and Steelpan Festival, St. Lucia’s Panorama, Pantonic Steel Orchestra’s launch and others, CrossFire’s 15^th Anniversary, J’Ouvert, Panorama season review, related photos, and a host of panyard audio and video recordings to edit - just to name a few.
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[Jennifer Ire]

What a loss for the steel bands and pannists, and for the community of pan lovers. Seems to be a toxic mind-virus passing around this world, producing illusions of power, control all ego-centered. Hope we all find an antidote to this soon.

[Salah Wilson]

Simply disgraceful behavior by the WIADCA in 2014, .... I honestly believe that the steelbands themselves should have protested because WST is based in New York and the steelbands of  New York do get the best media coverage from WST...so I echo that the N.Y. bands and also USSA organization should have defended WST and initiate support for  WST..........NO OTHER MEDIA BRINGS PAN TO THE WORLD AS WST.

come on pan people stand up for Pan ....stand up for the cause of Pan

Salah

[Bugs]

The sad thing about all of this is that most of these people at WIADCA don't own a pan CD and would not be caught dead in a pan yard.

It was a couple of years ago I heard that the New York pan people got an alternative sponsor for panorama and WIADCA rail road it. Why would they do that. They don't even like pan.

[Adrian Ramdoo]

The question is what will be done to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future..I'm betting we'll be back up on the big stage next year regardless...

[Cecil hinkson]

WST allyuh BIG, it's so silly when people deny access to those who have the ability promote what they are doing.

[June A. Archibald]

Sad commentary for this day and age amongst us as Caribbean people, particularly those who hold pan in high regard. Hope that WIADCA comes into this century rather than reverting to days of yore!