CLACC-C holds very successful 12th Annual Free Youth Pan Fest

Leah Clark Brisard, an executive member of the Brooklyn-based Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C), says that the center on Saturday hosted a very successful, free 12th annual youth pan festival competition that honored late stalwarts in the community.

Clark Brisard told Caribbean Life that the event – which took place on St. John’s Place, between Brooklyn and Kingston Avenues, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., outside the landmark home of Carlos Lezama, her late grandfather, and co-founder and former president of the Brooklyn-based West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), organizer of the annual Caribbean Carnival Week in Brooklyn – featured steelpan enthusiasts, culture buffs and music aficionados of all ages.

“This youth pan festival is very important for the children in our community,” she said on Monday. “I would like to thank the band leaders for their time and mentorship of our children in helping them to learn our beloved instrument, which is a gift to the world.

“We’re so excited that everyone enjoyed another very successful CLACC-C production and that that we were able to honor those who came before us,” she added.

Leah Clark Brisard, right, with her mom, CLACC-C President Yolanda Lezama Clark, stand next to a poster honoring legacy at Saturday’s Pan Youth Fest.Photo by Nelson A. King

Clark Brisard, a registered nurse by training, said among participating bands were: Black Love Pantonic Steel Orchestra, Metro Steel Orchestra, Genesis Pan Groove Steel Orchestra, Pan Alley Steel Orchestra, Harmony Music Makers, Eruption Steel Orchestra and Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra (PESO).

Clark Brisard said PESO was declared winner in the competition that was judged on technique, composition and creativity.  

Dancers from the Roxborough Tobago Youth Dance Club. Photo by Nelson A. King

She said among other performances were dancing and drumming, and performances by the Roxborough Tobago Youth Dance Club.

Clark Brisard said this year’s event was dedicated to the late Michael Roger Young Lao, CLACC-C’s co-founder, who was a pillar in the creative technology behind Caribbean cultural displays and programs.

She said tributes were also made to the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the daughter of Barbadian and Guyanese immigrants, and Lezama, who had also pioneered the West Indian-American Day Carnival Parade.

She said, among other things, were live entertainment, youth solo performances, wide-ranging varieties of Caribbean food and back-to-school giveaways during the family-friendly festival.

Drummers accompany dancers from the Roxborough Tobago Youth Dance Club. Photo by Nelson A. King

“Earlier this year, we lost the co-founder of CLACC-C, who was also our ‘dad’ and mentor,” Clark Brisard said. “He believed in the importance of legacy and continuing the work of Mr. Carlos Lezama, the father of the NYC Carnival.

“He was a visionary, an artist; and his canvas was through live streaming,” she added. “His only wish is that we continue to honor the legacy of Mr. Lezama and those who have worked tirelessly to keep our culture alive.”

Clark Brisard’s mother, Yolanda Lezama Clark, CLACC-C president, congratulated all performers, telling Caribbean Life that the performances by the soloists, as well as by the bands, were “outstanding.”

“Thank you to all of our soloists and steel bands who participated in our Children’s Festival and Youth Pan Fest,” she said.

Clark Brisard urged carnival lovers to accompany CLACC-C’s float “down the parkway” on Labor Day Monday, as Eruption Steel Orchestra beats out Caribbean vibes.

“We only ask that you wear white,” she urged. “So, come and take a jump with us, as we continue to honor our legacy.”