|
|
|
NEW YORK PAN ASSOCIATION AIMS HIGH!! |
|
The United States Steelband Association (USSA) and The Immigrant's Journal Legal and Educational Fund, Inc. (TIJLEF) aim for a three-in-three coup d'état with the recent unveiling of their plans for New York's upcoming Carnival 2002 activities and their flagship event - USSA New York Panorama 2002 - taking centre stage on Saturday 31 August 2002. Still fresh from the success of their 2001 New York Panorama and the resultant CD and DVD of that event, along with their second phenomenon - the Reflections In Steel Concert at Brooklyn College's Whitman Theatre on December 21, 2002, the USSA held their Press Conference at the Brooklyn Marriott Hotel on April 17, 2002. Some attendees were also privy to a sneak preview of the Basement Recording's produced Reflections in Steel DVD. The USSA announced their planned showcase of pre-Labor Day activities which includes the Brassorama, Kiddie's Carnival and (Calypso/Soca) Monarch competitions. The other main order of business was the introduction of USSA's newly elected officials, and installation of the organization's officers and trustees, while publicly acknowledging and rewarding the contributions of some of their members with awards. |
|
Other USSA initiatives - such as the manufacturing of Steel pans in America - appropriately entitled the Pan Factory - an endeavor to be manned mainly by the organization, comprising the West Indian-based Pan community, and the 'permanent inclusion of Pan' as an accredited course in some Junior High, High Schools, and Colleges, were proudly announced. Invited officials expounded on the obstacles in the Steelband and Black communities as a whole, from the ostracism and victimization faced by Pan players in terms of practice areas, to the lack of benefit by the community from the vast financial income that is gained annually through all Labor Day-related festivities. Pointed remarks were made about the backdrop of four million people on the Eastern Parkway for Labor Day activities, economic returns of some three hundred million US dollars in just the days immediately leading up to and including Labor Day - but the fact that next to none of that financial windfall ever makes it's way back into the community. |
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago's Deputy Consul General Gail Guy, Councilman Charles Barron and Assemblyman Nick Perry were among the distinguished personages who showed their support and commended the achievements of the USSA to date. Expectations are high for a spectacular USSA-coordinated schedule of New York's 2002 Carnival activities, with the Panorama concert in the spotlight. The brilliance, ingenuity, artistry and undaunted spirit of the Pan artists (players) shine through as they continue to step boldly into their own choice of future successes. By CP - Basement Press Writer |
|
|
|
