The Carlos Lezama Archives & Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C) hosted its 13th Annual Youth Pan Fest on Saturday, Aug. 23, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, drawing thousands of attendees for a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture.
The free, family-friendly festival took place on St. John’s Place, between Kingston and Brooklyn Avenues, outside the historic home of late Caribbean-American Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and Carlos Lezama, co-founder of Brooklyn’s legendary West Indian Day Carnival.
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“This year’s festival, themed Beats of Tomorrow, Roots of Yesterday, featured 12 soloists and eight junior steel bands,” said Yolanda Lezama-Clark, CLACC-C founder and president, and daughter of the late Carlos Lezama. “The youths gave outstanding performances, and I know the steel pan culture is in good hands.”
Lezama-Clark praised the dedication of all participants, announcing Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra as the winning band. Performers ranged in age from 6 to 21, with prizes for both soloists and ensembles totaling between $200 and $3,500.
The festival lineup included some of New York City’s most promising youth steelpan ensembles, such as Metro Steel, Eruption, P.E.S.O., Harmony Music Makers, Steel Sensation, Pan Alley, Black Love Pantonics, and ADLIB, alongside numerous soloists.
Beyond the music, the event featured culinary delights, artisanal crafts, family-friendly activities, and free back-to-school supplies.
“Steelpan music has come so far since it began in Trinidad and Tobago. It is now on the world stage, and the young people are leading the way in both preserving and sharing this culture,” Lezama-Clark said. “We’re excited to offer space for them to showcase their gifts.”
Founded in 2005, CLACC-C is dedicated to promoting Caribbean heritage and preserving West Indian culture and history. The center honors the legacy of Carlos Lezama, widely recognized as the “godfather” of Brooklyn’s annual Caribbean Carnival on Labor Day.
