Steel Drums Come to Augusta at the 31st New England Pan Festival – May 4 & 5, 2024
Steel drum bands from throughout Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire invite the public to come enjoy the music as the bands gather to perform and celebrate the unique sounds of the steel drum, also known as the steel pan, or pan. “The New England Pan Festival is a beautiful, homespun community event that has been happening for three decades, bringing together people of all ages to perform and enjoy steel pan music. It’s one of the coolest, most unique things that happens in Maine,” says Ian Ramsey, director of Pan Fried Steel and Steel Industry bands.
Saturday evening, May 4th from 6-8 PM, the two-day festival, hosted by Augusta’s own Vintage Steel—a local community steel pan ensemble of retirees—kicks off with a dance party at Mill Park in Augusta, featuring the music of Steel Sensation, a professional steel pan band from New York City. Listen and dance to authentic steel pan music that originated from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.
On Sunday, May 5th, 11 AM – 4 PM, at Cony High School, 60 Pierce Drive, all the participating bands from around Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire will perform. The public is invited to come enjoy the bands, some of which are from middle and high school music programs and others from community groups such as Vintage Steel. The festivities culminate with a mass performance of all the bands playing together.
This event is sponsored by the Cultural Events Committee, the Augusta and Bangor SGAs, and SPF of UMA. Festival attendance is free all weekend and open to the public. Donations are welcome. For more information, email festival organizer, Christine Letcher, UMA Assistant Professor of Music, at christine.letcher@maine.edu.