New York Steelband Organizations Sandbagged!
Panorama Promoters say - No money for you!

“Ain’t paying no Pan people”

In a move that only a Bernard “Bernie” Madoff, Al Capone, or recently convicted felon, former New York police commissioner Bernard “Bernie” Kerik and /or the other Wall Street notorious corporate thugs, would have the audacity to pull-off in broad daylight - New York steelband panorama 2009 participants were told they would not be getting paid some two and a half months after they performed at a jammed-packed event.  The event, held by WIADCA (West Indian America Day Carnival Association), had thousands of attendees paying premium dollars.  Annually, the NYC panorama is the biggest event draw during the Labor Day Carnival festivities held behind the Brooklyn Museum. 

NYC’s steelband music organizations have long held the steadfast belief that WIADCA was robbing them deaf, dumb and blind over the decades; however this latest slap has added a new chapter to strange and economically abusive relations between the NYC steelpan musicians and the event promoters WIADCA.  Indeed, WIADCA has been living in a Gangstas’ Paradise according to the NYC’s steelband management personnel who spoke to When Steel Talks (WST).  Moreover they found it incredible that WIADCA publicly declared in a meeting with steelband management that it would not be paying bands prize winnings et al.  This is despite, band managements say, the clearinghouse of hundreds of thousand of dollars in cash via gate receipts and lucrative beverage and liquor sales from the Bar  - on the panorama event night itself; they refuse to believe all that income has simply vanished.

The Friday 13^th 8:00 p.m. quickly called meeting by WIADCA - ended quite abruptly as the “no money for you” announcement was made to the shell-shocked steelband management and offended music members.  To add insult to injury  - “WIADCA has the audacity to want to host an award ceremony this coming Sunday” as one of the NY management attendees put it.  Chicago had its ‘St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” years ago; after this Friday the 13^th meeting, for panmen it would be known as the “Steelband Friday the 13^th Massacre or Rubout.”

Some even thought the “fix was in” - without knowing exactly for what - when 2009 Panorama champions Sonatas Steel Orchestra were presented by WIADCA president Yolanda Lezama-Clarke - their trophy onstage immediately after the results.   At the time, the remark was that they “could not remember when last, if ever at all, a trophy was presented on stage after the competition, that was always left for the ceremony later on in the year.”  Could this have been with the foreknowledge of a plan not to pay already in motion?

According to the sentiments expressed by the global steelpan music community - many feel the only thing left was for WIADCA officials to ride up in their pink Cadillacs and flashing their “Bling” - while blasting “Gangstas Rule,” with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, LiL Wayne screaming “now that’s what I’m talking about - OGs in the house” - “‘dem’s the original gangstas living the thug life.’” 

No indication was given to steelband management if they would ever receive payment.  Just that flat statement they were not going to be paid, period.  Many in the steelpan community have already started to voice their opinions on the internet, with many calling for a full federal, state and local investigation into the financial practices of WIADCA.

WST has been informed that investigative sources are looking into finding out who else on the WIADCA performance card was withheld payment.  International performer Machel Montano and others also performed at WIADCA events. As one young panist put it - “them (WIADCA) is the original gangsters and we living in gangsta times.”

Indeed, many of the New York politicians are closely associated with WIADCA and are well aware of the organization’s practices.  And that includes everyone from the governor to the mayor of New York.  Many WST spoke to believe this was an obviously calculated and well-planed move with the backing of those in public office.  Many also believe, and rightfully so, this is part of a much bigger coordinative effort to sell-out and control the carnival community in Brooklyn, New York.  So, in any regard until they come forward with an explanation or marching orders, stay tuned.  As one panman put it, “you never know who will be parading in an orange jumpsuit and hand-cuffs on the evening news!”

Some even think maybe WIADCA is looking for Washington stimulus/bailout package like the one given to Wall Street. LOL.  - until then NYC “pan folk must deal with their SLAP!!

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