Labowi Promotions is a not-for-profit community-based organisation established twenty-five years ago. The group's main objective is to promote genuine community development through arts and culture, by bringing quality cultural performances to the south of Saint Lucia and by improving the skills and visibility of local artists and performers.
Ultimately, the goal of Labowi Promotions is to enhance social togetherness and harmony and to promote economic development through cultural events and expression. Since its creation, this group has organised hundreds of events and activities, in music, education, dance, drama and visual arts.
The Laborie Pan Project is an initiative of Labowi Promotions, which started in November 2006 with the support of the Cultural Development Foundation and the Poverty Reduction Fund. Since then, the Project has been able to achieve much, with over 100 children and young adults trained and given the opportunity to perform at festivals, community events and private functions.
The purpose of the Laborie Pan Project and its Laborie Steel Pan is to develop musical and artistic talent in the community, and to give participants the opportunity to engage in a meaningful social activity while gaining pride and self-confidence in the process.
Consistent with its motto “Youth Empowerment Through Music”, the Laborie Pan Project also works with schools, and offers an extra curricular programme at local schools.
In recent years, the Laborie Pan Project has established partnerships with a number of organisations, and has greatly benefited from the guidance and support provided by Andy Narell, as well as from its collaboration with Jason Koontz and Eastern Kentucky University.
Since 2015, members of the Laborie Pan Project have also had the opportunity to travel to Trinidad for Panorama to perform there with birdsong as well as PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars Steel Orchestra. In 2018 six members of Laborie Steel Pan played with Mangrove Steel Orchestra at London’s Panorama. The relationships with these steel orchestras have evolved into ongoing partnerships, with members of their bands performing with Laborie Steel Pan at Saint Lucia’s Panorama.