By Thomas Bailey, President, West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) - NY Carib News
In recent months there has been a lot of criticism heaped upon the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA). Some of that criticism has been fair and some has been downright unfair, false, misleading and untrue. After conferring with my members I have decided to set the record straight after reading an article in your newspaper of Wednesday, July 25, 2012 entitled “Carnival’s Steelband Panorama Competition in Doubt” that was written by Tony Best.
I have decided to address the facts of the Panorama issue and hopefully lay to rest the untruths and misinformation contained in the article.
When I took over as President of WIADCA on April 12, 2012, I did so knowing the challenges that faced the organization and the state of affairs occasioned by the former administration that left the organization with a multitude of problems and challenges. To start with there was no transition process and that put me and the organization at a significant disadvantage.
Since that time we have made significant strides at reforming the organization and rebuilding its infrastructure while at the same time planning to put on the 45th Annual Labor Day Carnival Festival – that included the Panorama. So from April right up this moment WIADCA has been planning its annual Panorama competition.
Unknown to WIADCA was the fact that another entity was soliciting money to hold a Panorama competition, without speaking to us or informing us about the funding availability. Nor did this organization seek to partner with us or to involve us in any dialogue. Individuals and the organization floated the outrageous lie that “WIADCA was not holding or planning a Panorama.”
To our knowledge it was based on this erroneous assumption that funding for the Panorama was made available. So coming on the heels of a blistering email attack on WIADCA by the SAME PEOPLE who now sought to highjack the Panorama, we placed the question to the members of the United States Steelband Association (USSA) – the organization that has the most members of steelbands in New York City and our members.
For your edification the so-called National Association of Steelbands (NAS) is not an umbrella organization since it can only boast three or four members –if that much. What happened is that for this new group to “represent steelbands” it had to go to bed with NAS knowing that the USSA would never have been convinced, no matter how much money was dangled, to go with this put together organization.
As the events unfolded, the motive behind this false love of steelbands became clear. WIADCA that was not consulted became the target when the funding source demanded that this new group negotiate and come to an understanding regarding the Panorama. At stake was about $200,000 in funding that was only going to be available if there was one Panorama.
The sponsor, the Municipal Credit Union, also insisted that if WIADCA was not going to hold the Panorama and the new group was going to do it the Panorama had to be moved from the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum, its traditional home, to its ball park in Coney Island. Moreover, MCU was not interested in doing anything on the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum. It is here that things started to go downhill for the new organization.
First, it had no commitment from steelpan organizations. Second, panmen were reluctant to move to MCU’s Park that is way out of their community. Third, the logistics of moving large steelbands to MCU Park would necessitate a large financial outlay by steelbands because they would have to rent flatbed trucks to transport the pans – an additional expense.
In the midst of all this WIADCA still decided to negotiate in good faith. Out of these negotiations came a document that has the name of the organization written in it for the first time. The Caribbean Americans Panorama 2012 Committee wanted WIADCA to “have an urgent meeting with the steel pan community informing them that there will be only one Panorama at MCU Park” and that “their commitment to the steelbands is that they will be throwing their full support behind moving the event to MCU Park.”
Among other demands were that “they [WIADCA] be permitted to be an official ticket outlet if they so desired and receive a $5 sales incentive for each ticket sold.” “No involvement by WIADCA or their agents in the planning or staging of the event, unless CAP 2012 make specific requests to the contrary” and finally “abide by all rules and regulations as set forth by CAP 2012 and NAS, Inc. and each individual steelband involved in the event.”
For WIADCA agreeing to all of the above, and more, we [WIADCA] had to make available to CAP 2012 “two tables at the Labor Day Breakfast and Luncheon” and “CAP 2012 reserves the right to nominate 3 of the 6 Grand Marshals for the Labor Day Parade 2012.
It is therefore very clear that CAP 2012 was only using the Panorama as a tool to a wider takeover of a legitimate organization no matter its imperfections. This document was presented to both WIADCA’s Board of Directors and the captains of the steelbands. After an open discussion the steelbands agreed to support the Panorama being organized by WIADCA. For us NAS, Inc. and CAP 2012 can exercise their right to put on a Panorama with the steelbands that are supportive of their efforts. I wish them well.
Finally, while it is of no use to refute any statement made by members of CAP 2012, I would like to correct an obviously misleading conclusion that the newspaper attributed to Ike Hinds, the president of NAS, who stated that “Contracts were signed and for the first time in Panorama history we were going to receive an appearance fee before steelbands struck the first note.”
What contracts were signed? I hope that Mr. Hinds can produce proof of this. Were these contracts signed with the three or four members of his organization? I hope that in future press articles he can substantiate these statements that we find very hard to believe.
WIADCA is going through a transition period and I am aware of the organization’s short-comings. I am working around the clock correct them. That’s going to take some time. I have moved to demonstrate WIADCA’s good will by making a part-payment on outstanding prize money for 2011 to the steelbands and put in writing our commitment to make good on the outstanding balance. That is a fact and well known to CAP 2012 even though they have found refuge in simply putting WIADCA in a bad light.
Replies
It is a shame to see that after over 65 years in the USA, steelbands still cannot get it together. Steelbands should be a force to reckon with in Brooklyn. There should be one organization to represent 10 to 15 steelbands that exist in Brooklyn and those in other States. All the opportunities are their for the taking. Brooklyn is the mother of pan in the USA. Why the confusion, bachanal, disempowerment and ignorance? 12 to 15 steelbands in Brooklyn and there are 3 organizations claiming to represent them. This is madness. Too much comess. Why are the steelbands themselves not speaking up instead of others speaking for them? Where are the steelband leaders? Why are the steelband leaders so silent? Is it that they just don't care? Is it that they only care about Panorama night regardless when they collect their prize money? This is the 21st century and the 49th anniversary of Panorama which started in 1963 in Trinbago. Next year will be the 50th Panorama anniversary. Are WIADCA and the steelbands aware that after the Atlantic Yards stadium if completed, the labor day parade may be moved to the stadium to accomodate a transference to a parade, instead of the carnival that we struggled to protect? I hope that is not true but if it is then why the silence from carnival and steelband leaders. I call on all the steelband stakeholders to put the steelbands interests first and sit down for a whole Sunday and come up with one organization to represent their interests. Put all egos aside for the interest of the steelband movement. Otherwise, you might end up in Atlantic Yards for next year's labor day parade.
I"m still waiting for someone to tell the people that do not live in the U.S. if there is going to be a panorama 2012, a simple yes or no will be fine.
Questions. Are charges of misappropriation of funds, or should I say, embezzlement being laid against those thieves from WIADCA ?. How can the Pan Fraternity think about appearing at this year's Panorama when they haven't been paid for last year's performance?. What's to guarantee there will be payment for this year?. If the former heads of WIADCA are not brought up on charges, then the same crap should happen again and again until the pan fraternity stands up for their rights.
You make a good point Sherwin but I think the focus should be on how can bands can and should protect themselves going forward if they decide to continue dealing with WIADCA. Consider what I've proposed in my earlier reply email (see above) to Mr. Ian Franklin. Bands need to collectively negotiate a legally binding contract with WIADCA with some conditions such as a due date for monies to be paid and a penalty (daily interest beginning the day after the due date) if WIADCA does not meet its obligations to the bands by the due date. That should alter WIADCA's behaviour of disrespect toward steelbands. The contract will also stand up in court if the bands have to resort to taking WIADCA to court. If bands do this together in solidarity i think we'll begin to see some positive changes.
The New York State knows of the shady practices of the WIADCA already so it won't be difficult to lay charges against them. The thing is no one is willing to lay charges, this is something all the steelbands that is owed money could do TODAY.
July 31, 2012
For nearly 40 years, on the Saturday before Labor Day nearly a thousand of our family, friends and neighbors, the vast number aged 12 to 21, compete in the Steelband "Panorama" competition.
This competition is the culmination of weeks of work, as bands prepare for "ten minutes of glory" onstage performing an orchestral musical composition in front of thousands of spectators.
This year, amidst all the controversy about sponsorship and control, focus on the steelband musical artform has been lost in a battle of egos and politics. So too has been lost the focus on the
Facts are facts: the ten bands who competed in last year's are still owed a combined $52,000 from unpaid prizes, money sorely need to prepare for this year's competition. This sum is comprised of $2,000 unpaid appearance fees
for each of the ten bands that appeared at Panorama 2011 ($20,000) and a combined $32,000 unpaid balance of prizes due the top three bands.
Facts are facts: as of today the Museum has not received its rental fees nor the insurance documents required to secure the venue. Consequently, there have been no official planning meetings held with the NYPD with Labor Day only a month away.
Facts are facts: despite numerous requests, WIADCA has not given evidence of its ability to pay either the prize monies owed for 2011 or the expenses required to stage Panorama 2012.
While there have been many differences of approach amongst the steelbands who participate in Panorama, one thing is certain -- that the music must be respected above all. The bands have always sought a real stake in the planning, operation and finances of the Panorama including and especially a sound system worthy of the effort that the bands undertake.
That doesn't seem unreasonable, does it? What is unreasonable is that the battle for control over the music has endangered the music itself. That's unreasonable, and it's tragic.
On behalf of all the players in all the bands, I implore all elected officials, sponsors and stakeholders to remember that Panorama should be all about music, not about control or money. Egos and pettiness have already cost us the bands the meaningful corporate sponsorship oft he steelband in the United States. Everyone, please be honest with yourselves and with us, and let the music prevail.
Sincerely,
Anthony Hinds
Dem Stars Steel Orchestra and National Alliance of Steelbands
Another message from Mr. Hinds:
More Facts are Facts:
It is with great sadness that I inform the steelband community that four-time Panorama Champion CASYM has withdrawn from Panorama 2012.
CASYM, a perennial contender for the championship, finished second in Panorama 2011. As such they were due a prize of $15,000 along with the appearance fee of $4,500. Along with first place ADLIB and third-place Radoes, CASYM received
a partial payment of $5,000 from WIADCA some months ago. Previously they had received a partial appearance fee payment of $2,500. Consequently, CASYM was owed a total of $12,000 for 2011.
Conversations with CASYM members indicate that the band simply could not manage the expenses of Panorama 2012 without receiving the balance of funds owed them for 2011. With the cost of arranger fees, tuner fees, uniforms, equipment and
panyard rent looming, CASYM made a tragic and bitter decision.
CASYM is the first victim of WIADCA's financial reality.
The problem with steelbands in Brooklyn and T&T are somewhat alike, most players come to play for panorama and thats it, no involvement after. During the year should be the time when you make sure every thing is running smoothly so you will not have problems when panorama comes around again.
A lot of people wants the Panorama at the Museum. I think its the most central location that can fascilitate everyone. The problem is the monies owed to the steelbands. They all need their money. Preparing a Steelband for Panorama is a very costly thing, and the only people who reaps the benifits of Panorama are the Tuners - Arrangers and WIADCA, The Panmen are always left holding the empty Bag. If WIADCA is so much interested in the staging of Panorama they should first pay the Bands all the monies owed to them and stop talking foolishness of part Payment. Every year they makes hundreds of thousands of dollars for the labour day celebrations. The have the money. ''Pay it'' End of Story.
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