As the West Indian American Day Parade approaches, steel bands are practicing for Panorama.

This year seven steel bands are competing behind the Brooklyn Museum. Panorama is the annual tradition in which different steel bands compete to be crowned the best.

The CASYM steel band has been performing for the past 25 years.  Their manager, Travis Roberts, says steel bands are a large part of the Caribbean culture and festival.

“Every night, participants get together to practice for three to four hours a day. It can be difficult to manage 100 people practicing, but this is what we love to do. It’s in our blood, and most of us have been doing it since we were kids,” Roberts says.

Tickets for Panorma are still available at the the West Indian American Day Parade website.