The presence of Caribbean music thrives in the streets of NYC. The depth of the presence of Caribbean music in NYC ranges from musical events and organizations to steel pans for public and private events. There are events focused on bringing caribbean music and culture to the public and are geared family oriented. Ultimately, we explore several bands and a few events that garner insight into a culture that can be brought to life through music.
Local Bands
Africarib, a steel drum band from Brooklyn provides entertainment at venues on request (weddings, cocktail hours, private parties and corporate functions and schools). They provide entertainment with island sounds of Soca, Reggae and Calypso. They were chosen as the featured Steel Drum Band at the US Open in 2008 and appeared on a 2010 episode of Law & Order Criminal Intent.
This band is significant in that this band is making Caribbean music easily accessible for private events of all types. Ensuring that Caribbean music isn’t only accessible online but also accessible for parties for anyone and everyone.
The popularity of this band, whose accomplishments span from playing at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC have helped spurred the spread of Caribbean music in America and established the involvement of Caribbean music in public institutions.
JahPan
JahPan caters similarly to festive events and memorable occasions. They claim that they are “the most exciting steel drum band” from Trinidad, the island of steel drums and Calypso. They are based in NYC but their steel drum, calypso musicians and reggae singers have performed all over the world in events ranging from backyard parties to the Presidential reception, NBC’s Today show and parades.
They aren’t just confound to musical entertainment, they also provide DJs, fire-eaters, limbo dancers, stilt walkers, face and body paint artists, hair braiders, masquerade costumes and authentic West Indian food to provide as much Caribbean culture immersion in a party as possible.
They also provide Caribbean Arts Cultural Presentation through musical performance and student participation in a 45 minute program available to NYC elementary and intermediate schools. This performance provides intermittent story-telling about how steel drums were invented and made and includes student participation and hands-on steel drum demonstrations. It’s a dynamic, fun and meaningful way of introducing students to important aspects of Caribbean culture – steel drums, calypso and reggae music.
At the same time, the two bands highlight a controversial issue that is prevalent to considered “exotic” cultures and how they are presented in American society. The two bands are focused on bringing Caribbean music to events, however it brings into question whether they may be adding onto the stigma that their culture is an amusement or an exhibition. This attributes to our discussion this semester on Caribbean culture and how, despite
Events
WIADCA (West Indian American Day Carnival Association INC.)
WIADCA hosts NYC’s annual 5-day Carnival Event: Stay in School Concert and College Fair, Junior (Kiddie) Carnival Parade, Steelband Panorama and Dimanche Gras finale. The Carnival event is discussed in our “Diasporic Festivals & Carnivals” but it’s appearance under this section serves to discuss the other events that services the community.
Events like Stay in School concert is a performance opportunity that encourages the youth to pursue education and develop their talents with performances featuring hip hop, dance, steel pan, karate, fashion show, spoken word and much more. Admission is free and performances are by the youth. This event is important because it serves to highlight and encourage the values of their immigrant community which is to pursue higher education. Anyone can apply to perform and this event services as a young talent showcase exuding Caribbean culture and music and welcomes addition for young people about college information. As many as 3,000 people attend this annual program. (Klein, Helen)
“The influx of young people is making it more and more important that we address them in a way that makes it clear that we care about them staying off the street. Being involved in the culture gives them steadiness, the ability to stay away from bad company and drugs” –Jean Alexander (spokesperson for WIADCA)
It’s beneficial for youngsters and teens to get involved with the bands and other musical groups because being a part of a performance group requires a lot of practice and dedication. Aiding them with steadiness Caribbean families want their young people to have and recognizing the need for their young people’s talents to be cultivated.
While this event is a great way for people to savor the sounds, sights and flavors of the Caribbean, WIADCA makes this a stellar opportunity to raise awareness in the community of major issues. One year, WIADCA teamed up with the American Cancer Society and the US Census Bureau to highlight the importance of regular cancer screenings and the urgency of filling out Census forms.
This event is seen as a steadfast Carnival event, however deeper analysis of the other events offered during this 5-day event reveal that WIADCA aims to service and inform the community of issues that are prevalent in American culture like ensuring the youth pursue higher education goals and are informed on issues like Cancer and a fair representation in Census. Ultimately, highlighting values and celebrating success within the visage of a great celebration.
Presented by Virgin Islanders United Inc, this event aims to “bring the flavor of the Virgin Islands to fans in Harlem NYC” at this free, popular outdoor Caribbean music concert. Last years event took place in Harlem during labor day weekend. This music concert pleases music concert and features vendor’s of authentic Caribbean food, beverages, and other wares. It’s been a major fixture within the Caribbean community in NYC and attracts 6,000+ attendees annually. This cultural fest showcases soca, calypso and reggae acts from the entire Caribbean region. Different than a typical Carnival or festival that incorporates thousands of people crowding and dancing along to music in a parade-style, this event acts as a music festival.
“Caribbean Cultural Fest continues to be a diverse showcase of Caribbean music and culture. Our theme this year, Red, White, & Bloom is a special one, as it pays homage and recognition to the many distinguished Virgin Islanders and Caribbean Nationals who have served in America’s armed forces. we want all of our distinguished Caribbean service men, women and their families along with all others to come out with their respective Caribbean flags prepared to enjoy a high energy musical event.” -Janet Parris, President of Virgin Islanders United, Inc. (2015)
Judging from their website and information page, it seems like the organizers of this event, The Virgin Islanders United, INC focuses themselves on representing the people of the US Virgin Islands and Caribbean nationals and aim on preserving and promoting the cultural rich heritage prevalent in the Caribbean nations. Their event seemingly focuses on the exposition of their culture and their treasured tradition rather than on the production of a large party. Interestingly enough, the VIU hosts events that take place on a plethora of locations that span from St. Thomas to NYC.
These events all promote music to the general public at a relatively little to no cost. The effectiveness of these events that have been held for a few years, have been due to the public’s interest. There are large showings at VIU Inc events and thousands attend WIADCA’s 5 day celebration. Their success and large showing is a comforting realization that there is such a broad audience for Caribbean music and Caribbeans who enjoy basking and celebrating their culture.
Upcoming Events (Get involved!)
Reading about music is one thing, but listening to it in person and being there is a different thing. There is one event coming up that offers Caribbean party music (to dance after finals).
Soca in Soho: May 29th (Free)
The party’s music will be provided by NYC’s Caribbean DJ’s: Triniboom, soundstarlution and Stylz movement
Events outside of NYC
This event takes place annually, last year (2015) it took place at Bella Gardens (ON). This event is a family picnic event that features a cooking contest, a speed eating competition, a softball tournament, a car show and 30 live performers. They also provided a variety of chutney, soca, steel pan, calypso and rhythm tassa bands. This year, Chutney in the Park will be a part of the Toronto Carnival on July 2016. The event aims to provide a family oriented experience and is poignant in our discussion of Caribbean music because it acts as a testimony of groups who are trying to capture the vide of the Caribbean and encapsulate it in fun, cultural and entertaining family events. Crystal Vibez & M.A.G.I.C. Media, the company that runs this event has worked closely with other businesses to promote their business in the Caribbean market by promoting their brand during all the events Crystal Vibez promotes and organizes. This creates an interesting intersection of services and beneficiaries that focus on the Diasporic Caribbean market in the US.
Organizations that promote Caribbean music
Sesame Flyers International is a non-profit community group in Brooklyn. It is extremely active in the Caribbean community there, serving various service needs to families and youth in Brooklyn. From tutoring and school help to employment assistance and family counseling, Sesame Flyers provides important support programs to the Caribbean community. But besides this, Sesame Flyers is also dedicated to preserving culture and values, including celebrations like Carnival, to keep Caribbean traditions alive in the borough.
One way this culture is sustained is through teaching, learning, and playing music. Founded in 1985, the Sesame Flyers Steel Band Orchestra is a large and noteworthy youth orchestra that continues to bring steel pan music to NYC. They play performances around the city, and at traditional events and celebrations, but they are a lot more than just a band. The Orchestra is an educational and empowering program that teaches music and the arts, culture, and history to youths, helping to shape them into more well-rounded and engaged students. What’s more, according to their website, the steel pan “beams with cultural identity and musical expression which build the pride, self esteem and confidence our youths need.”
The steel pan is more than just an instrument in the Caribbean world. It’s a huge source of identity and belonging, of proud roots and being proud of those roots. The Steel Pan Orchestra, along with steel pan music itself, is tied closely with community and culture. That such a service and assistance oriented group has its own Orchestra and music program is demonstrative of the impact the steel pan had and has on community life for Caribbeans; the two are inseparable. It’s from the spirit of bettering the community, of doing service to help each other and to maintain their heritage, that this music is passed down. The music program in turn serves to enrich and empower young people, to inspire in them these values and ideals, and make the whole community flourish. This is one way in which the steel pan, and Caribbean music in general, continues to impact people of Caribbean descent, especially those living in NYC.
Next up: Interviews with Caribbean Musicians in NYC here
Sources
Batinguaarts. “My Brooklyn My Arts WIADCA Show 2015.” YouTube. YouTube, 30 Nov. 2015. Web. 16 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW10hJAHMHM>.
“Caribbean Cultural Fest 2015 – Press Release.” RSS. N.p., 10 Aug. 2015. Web. 16 May 2016. <http://www.virginislandersunited.org/blog/2015/8/12/caribbean-cultural-fest-2015-press-release>.
GinG3RViews. “”Hot Hot Hot”” YouTube. YouTube, 23 May 2014. Web. 16 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1O70jxmDW0>.
“Home – Jah Pan.” Jah Pan. N.p., n.d. Web. May 2016. <http://jahpan.wpengine.com/>.
Klein, Helen. “It’s Carnival Time Again!” Brooklyn Daily. Courier’s Life, 8 Sept. 2009. Web. May 2016. <http://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2009/37/canarsie_digest_newsapvexez09032009.html>.
JEANYEUGUE. “Jah Pan TV Gig Today’s Show.” YouTube. YouTube, 03 Jan. 2010. Web. 16 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiKLHEdlnpY>.
“Reggae, Soca & Calypso Steel Drum Band.” Africarib Steel Drum Band. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2016. <http://www.africarib.net/>.
