Uninvited, Unannounced, Unprofessional - WIADCA’s Behavior Toward Genesis Pan Groove?

Intimidation and Bullyism? Ugly


New York, USA - Under a climate of hostility and rejection Brooklyn’s Genesis Pan Groove Steel Orchestra is not taking part (or did not, depending on when this write-up is accessed) in this year’s 2019 New York Panorama. This was supposed to have been a great occasion and storied chapter in the history of the young Genesis Pan Groove as referenced and documented (below) by News12 Brooklyn.

   Steel pan group to make 1st appearance at West Indian American Day Carnival
- News 12 Brooklyn


 

When an official from the annual New York Panorama organizer/promoter W.I.A.D.C.A. (West Indian American Day Carnival Association) arrived at Genesis Pan Groove’s Brooklyn pan yard at 9301 Avenue B - uninvited and unannounced - on Monday August 19, one would have thought the WIADCA official was there to ask Genesis members “How can we help you to ensure your participation and success?” Instead, Genesis Pan Groove got the exact opposite.

Genesis is made up of some of our communities’ best young people - scholars, educators, managers - hardworking, goal-oriented young people from our society. Pan is a beautiful thing. Through the association of Genesis’ musicians with Pan, they promote being ‘the best that you can be.’

But instead of joining eight of their musical peers - the steel orchestras competing in the evening’s competition on August 31 - Genesis Pan Groove, the group which had so looked forward to putting their best musical notes together for the chance at perhaps becoming 2019 Panorama champions, instead were packing up their stands and instruments, the former bound for storage at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Genesis Pan Groove musicians begin to load pan racks to go into storage - instead of for transport to the Brooklyn Museum area to compete in New York Panorama 2019
Genesis Pan Groove musicians begin to load pan racks to go into storage - instead of for transport to the Brooklyn Museum area to compete in New York Panorama 2019

Pan racks/stands bereft of musical instruments stood empty in the school pan yard the band called home for a few short weeks prior.

Rhythm rack, and other pan stands in the school yard of P.S. 233 with steelpan instruments already removed
Rhythm rack, and other pan stands in the school yard of P.S. 233 with steelpan instruments already removed

Other racks were lined up on the street alongside the school in readiness to be loaded onto the transport truck for storage. Ironically, at sites of the other panyards of what should have been fellow competitors - the scene would have been similar - except those trucks loading pan racks/stands were bound for the competition venue, the rear of the Brooklyn Museum. But those of Genesis were headed for annual storage instead.

More of Genesis Pan Groove’s steelband stands/racks on the sidewalk - in readiness for loading and journey into storage at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
More of Genesis Pan Groove’s steelband stands/racks on the sidewalk - in readiness for loading and journey into storage at the Brooklyn Navy Yard


Genesis Pan Groove musicians with help, loading pan rack for storage
Genesis Pan Groove musicians with help, loading pan rack for storage

The band’s dreams were unceremoniously cut short by WIADCA, in unprecedented behavior and ‘operational procedure’ not experienced or seen before on the New York pan scene or by the steelband community.


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