Festivals Commission Promises Schools Panorama Payments This Week After Pan Protest

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Steelpan panorama

The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission says it will pay outstanding Schools Panorama participants this week, after months of delays sparked protests from steelbands.

Commission chair Elizabeth “Lisa” Makhoul said the overdue payments, some dating back to October, are now being addressed and will be settled in the coming days.

Frustration boiled over Friday during Panache Steel Orchestra’s “Lovers Rock” Block-o-rama, where senior bands staged a unified protest. Panache captain Maurisha Potter said local musicians are repeatedly left waiting for payment while foreign performers are paid on time. Pan leaders Cuthbert “Tiny” Thomas and Derel Jarvis also called for collective action and rejected selective meetings with the Commission.

Despite the dispute, musicians highlighted the role of steelpan in youth development, describing the panyard as a space that promotes discipline and keeps young people away from crime.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. If we are doing so well financially how come it takes so long to pay people. Is it that this Administration is just cruel?

  2. It seems like every event put on by this Festival Commission end up with this same scenario. I guarantee ALL foreign artistes had their FULL PAYMENT deposited and cleared the financial institutions before they even arrived in Antigua to perform.
    How can local talents prosper and grow under these situations?

  3. Prior to these competition, money should have been put aside just for payment, especially when it pertains to youth.We often talk about youth development but we’re not really serious. Pan on its own can be another way out the ghetto for some youngster, but while our youngsters still depending on musical notes displayed on their pans, the same age group in TnT can closed their eyes and master what ever pan they choose to play. I just saw a little youth playing on the FRONT line with Phase 2 steel orchestra in the Large band category, and he is in full control of his instrument, anything his elders do he can also do, and that’s real talent.
    We packed our carnival with all these TnT artists every year, as a matter of fact months before the commencement of carnival, a TnT artists is the highlight on every flyer, and you know payment is already put aside for them. Hundreds of fetes and shows are presently happening in TnT as carnival is on its way, and I beg you to name one Antiguan artists on a flyer or on any of them stage. We have Khan as a Drill master, but I was really anticipating him taking over Arima Angels, by showing he is up there with arrangers such as the Andre Whites, Stewart and Richards, but he blew a big chance in 2024, one he will never see again.
    At least we have Oungku and Swallow still making waves.

  4. These delayed payments still happening?

    But I’m sure that I recollected that our Financial Minister informed the country in his other capacity as Prime Minister (what he name again?🥸) told the country that Antigua & Barbuda 🇦🇬 is an “economic powerhouse”???

    Did I dream this? Someone help me please…

    Where’s Chetty when you need clarification?

  5. But why does it have to take this long to pay people. what are they busy doing up at Festivals and imagine they want to assume ownership of One nation

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