On August 31, 2002, Carnival
Saturday night, I attended the Panorama competition at Flatlands headed by the
United States Steelband Association (USSA). I was deeply disappointed.
I arrived around 8:30 pm. What took place was a journey through hell.
It was total disorder from start to finish. Earlier, I reported to your
email audience the events that took place. Since
then I spoke to a few of the parties involved. I urge you to print this.
The steelband movement has
reached a crossroad in New York City. Throughout these United States there
are steelbands in all the major cities. But what is lacking is vision, proper
management, organization and accountability. The city of Brooklyn has the
most steelbands in one city. Over 10 steelbands. On Carnival
Saturday night the steelbands were spilt down the middle with half the
steelbands appearing at Flatlands and the other half appearing at the Museum.
This is the second year that there are two Panoramas in Brooklyn.
Last year the USSA held their
first Panorama and it was a success. One would think that when you have
success you build on that success rather than let things fall apart. Well,
fall apart they did on Carnival Saturday night. Even though the show was carded
to begin at 8:00 pm the first steelband did not come on stage until near
midnight. After that it was soca music for nearly three hours. Then
the President of USSA came on stage to announce that they were having some
transportation problems with one of the steelbands, Marsicans. As a
result, the steelband ADLIB played first even though they were supposed to play
second. WHY? The Marsicans steelband, that was supposed to play
first, was late due to transportation problems.
Marsicans said that USSA was
supposed to provide transportation for their steelband but failed to send the
proper truck. Well, why didn't the President announce it earlier instead
of having people standing in the cold (AND IT WAS COLD) before telling us the
problem. Then the President announced that there were four steelbands
waiting to perform but refused to do so because they were waiting until their
number were called. Rumor among some of the steelbands was that Marsicans
were playing possum to play later down the list. What stupidness is that,
I asked myself. Slowly USSA was eating away at the goodwill they earned
last year. The steelbands must understand that they play for the people
who pay their prize money by attending the Panorama. Let me return to last
year.
Last Labor day carnival USSA
performed a steelband coup. They got almost 10 steelbands to join them to
hold the first Steelband-organized Panorama. USSA promised more money for
prizes: 1st prize, $20,000.00; 2nd prize $15,000.00 and 3rd prize $10,000.00.
The die was set. More money than the West Indian American Day Carnival
Association (WIADCA) offered and a further promise to deliver prize money on
time. WIADCA was know for paying prize monies one year later. The
Panists were overjoyed. I myself felt that the time had come.
Panorama was now in the right hands. Little did I suspect that that was
wishful thinking.
It seems that USSA has
another agenda. If not, then they should explain the community what
exactly is their agenda. At the first USSA Panorama no one had a clue as
to the weather conditions at Flatlands. But, 5000 (The New York Times
figures) panjumbies turned up for the USSA Panorama and stayed until it
was over. It started on time and ended on time. For most, the only
complaints were: "It too far." "It too cold." "No Rum."
And yet, people stayed to the end. I spoke to some and all said the same
thing. They were proud of the event and USSA. They felt that
steelband was now on its way. Panorama had arrived. Soon after, USSA
produced a double CD, a video and a DVD of the Panorama. Way to go
again. Then USSA was dormant. No PR to the community. Soon a
report of money problems raised its ugly head. Steelbands complained that
they were not paid for last year's Panorama. Some steelbands decided to
return to WIADCA Panorama at the Museum.
At the second USSA Panorama
it was disaster from start to the end. It seemed that USSA could not
deliver in the end. They allowed all last year's goodwill to be lost
because of disorganization. As a result, I humbly suggest to USSA these
few ideas.
1. USSA must tell panjumbies what is their vision for the steelband
movement.
2. USSA must have proper management.
3. USSA must have a tighter organization.
4. USSA must be accountable to the steelband community.
The steelband movement has a
great opportunity in the United States, especially New York, to get funding from
Cities for the labor day Panorama if they do their homework properly. At
present it seems that there is no vision. The steelband fraternity must be
told what is USSA's vision for the steelband movement. The current
management seems to lack the necessary
skills to administrate a steelband organization. Everyone must know how to
do their required job so that things can run smoothly. They must keep
financial books and give financial reports to every steelband that is on their
Panorama list. USSA must have transparency and be accountable to the
steelband fraternity. Panjumbies will not tolerate another organization
with business as usual.
I do not know if this is
USSA's last year but if they continue then they must reform USSA immediately.
Everyone wants to see USSA succeed, I included. That is why people
withstand the cold summer to attend their Panorama. USSA must come to the
steelband fraternity and explain what happened Panorama night. And they
must do that as soon as possible this week. Lastly, I must admonish USSA
to leave WIADCA alone. They are doing their job and USSA should do theirs.
WIADCA has a role to play and USSA has a role to play. There is room for
both organizations. USSA should hold their Panorama on the first Saturday
in August and arrange to have a clash of the two Panorama winners to meet at
Flatlands. Steelbands can enter both Panoramas and both winners can
compete for a Champion of Champions. That will permit all the steelbands
to make monies from both Panorama.
IT IS UP TO USSA. DON'T
LET THINGS FALL APART.
KHALICK J.
HEWITT
See you at the rendezvous of victory,
khalick j. hewitt
Panjumbie
9/10/02