Clara Wu Tsai and Social Justice Fund Uplift Caribbean Community and Culture via Counterpoint: Brooklyn Steel Pan Fête

In Pictures

New York, USA - Felt the need for the pulsating, pounding rhythm of drums deep within? Check. The hard-driving sounds of the Vybez Entertainment ‘riddim section’ took care of that. Wanted to get the party started early, and continue a few more jam sessions? Check. DJ Silencer (veteran steelpan musician Sheldon Hoyte) dropped a great music mix throughout the event, while skillfully handling informative hosting duties from start to finish.

Couldn’t resist the urge to shake a leg as the Labor Day weekend closes in? Check. Stage sides of steel orchestras Eruption, reigning New York Panorama champions Pan Evolution and Pan In Motion all dropped scintillating sets which were not limited to, but did indeed include and showcase - sweet soca during their individual hour-long sessions.

Were you ever mesmerized by steelpan being played and wondered what on earth it took to produce those sounds? Check. Not only was this the time and place for that chance, but - some in the crowd actually got hands-on themselves behind instruments!

Wanted to see Carnival costumes and dancing moko jumbies aka stilt walkers up close, with even the very young onlookers chipping along to soca? Check. The Sesame Flyers organization got everyone in the mood with mas characters. Costume-clad ladies showed off colors of carnival, while towering moko jumbies skillfully stepped and danced around, between, and over the crowd, leaving some awestruck.

And to get it all in one place, showcasing the culture of the Caribbean community while whetting the appetite for pre-Labor Day activities and the day itself - complete with Carnival-style atmosphere? Check. The Ticketmaster Plaza at Barclays Center was definitely the place for anyone who wanted to experience it all—for free—at the Counterpoint: Brooklyn Steel Pan Fête on Sunday July 27 courtesy Clara Wu Tsai and the Social Justice Fund she launched in 2020. Counterpoint is part of the annual Belong Brooklyn Concert Series. “Ms. Wu Tsai is the Governor and an owner of the WNBA’s 2024 Champions the New York Liberty and an owner of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets” (bksjf.org).

The concert event, according to promotional data was “designed to bring world-class art and performance to Brooklyn, building on the borough’s rich cultural history, and reaching new audiences.” It also aimed to “draw on and partner with community organizations to create a platform that will spotlight the work of local artists.” That it did indeed on this day, with excellent representation from three of New York’s steel orchestras, Vybez Entertainment led by Wilfred “Junior” Kieal, and Carnival artistry from the Sesame Flyers organization.

Event producer Adam Shore was responsible for and oversees the Counterpoint series. This year’s was the third, and he was present hours before the start ensuring its smooth operation. As the program unfolded, Shore could be seen interacting with both the performing artists and the audience. He moved around effortlessly, intent but smiling throughout, liaising. At the same time Shore himself periodically captured several on-the-spot moments.

If one is familiar with Barclays Center, you know the area is busy as visitors to the area and the community itself crisscross back and forth non-stop across the plaza. It is nestled within the neighborhood, while at the same time surrounded by a mega shopping area which includes the Atlantic Terminal and Center, and a nexus in downtown Brooklyn sitting on the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues.

It is within this hub of activity people stopped in their tracks to immerse themselves in the four hours of non-stop entertainment and culture on this hot and sunny Sunday afternoon, where, instead of the predicted summer showers, it was the sounds of steelband music which had the place ‘steaming.’ People passing through paused to enjoy the sights and sounds; parents with youngsters in strollers, children. Others with packages on their way back from shopping did not pass up the opportunity of the entertainment as it unfolded live.

Eruption Steel Orchestra labeled the individual voices of steelpan instruments for their educational component, and the audience could easily identify and visually connect the respective pans with ‘conventional instruments.’ Players themselves also sported badges ‘tenor,’ ‘guitar,’ ‘cello’ and ‘bass.’ Eruption’s founder and music director, and music educator and steelband director at Meyer Levin, School of the Performing Arts, Damany James, Sr., introduced the orchestra to the crowd, delivered a brief history of the art form before inviting them to step up and try out an instrument. Some eagerly took advantage of the quick one-on-one tutorials with steelpan musicians, excitedly guided as they played a short tune at the end. Then - Eruption players took over and sounded out selections to ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as the audience identified and enjoyed.

The crowd moved across to Pan Evolution which was standing by, and when it was their turn after a short break, they did not disappoint and went through their musical paces. They too had the moko jumbies in attendance, at times accompanying and accentuating selections.

Pan In Motion took over third in the lineup just as the sun started to slide west in the sky.

The group performed first before its founder and leader Dr. Kendall K. Williams came around front to greet the audience and share briefly on his band.

In between selections, he also delivered historical data on the steelpan instrument, with demonstration.

It was then time for another opportunity for those of any age in the crowd, to participate in a hands-on workshop.

Band members patiently shared basic orientation with curious learners on the various voices of the steelpan instrument for a brief period, followed in short order with a guided session on their own. More music followed, all before the 6:00 p.m. finish. And with that, it was a wrap for a stellar community outreach event facilitated by Clara Wu Tsai and the Social Justice Fund.

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