About Us
History (Derived from Pan Fanatic)
Conception
Panatics Steelband Network was established on April 16, 1991 in the then city of North York. The idea came out of a youth program that was run by Layne Clarke at the Flemingdon Park Resource Centre in January 1990. This program was an initiative of Grace Noel with the support of Patsy Zagotsis, the Parks and Recreation Area Coordinator. Instruments were borrowed from Oakdale Public School and the program was run out of the basement of the Flemingdon Park Resource Centre. The idea of a "community steelband" took shape with a mandate to provide a "positive alternative" to the youth in the area. Among the first participants in the program were the Bobbs, Francine Burke, and Melissa Noel.
Getting Off the Ground
Through much funding in the Flemingdon Park community the Panatics Steelband Network was formed. Leonard Noel, one of the founding members, was invited to become a member of the Flemingdon Park Action Committee and was instrumental in being able to source funding/grants to purchase instruments for a program at the Resource Centre.
Young Panatics
With some of the talent coming out of the first program at the Resource Centre, the "Young Panatics" was formed. The group soon grew in numbers and a full orchestra of over 15 players developed. The group performed at the first Snowflakes on Steel show in 1997. Other performances included Harbourfront, East York and Canada Day Celebrations, and FLemingdon Park Appreciation Day. Layne Clarke was the group's first arranger, followed by Winston "Pappy" Fredericks, and also gave Melissa Noel the opportunity to arrange a couple of times.
Panatics Steelband Network was established on April 16, 1991 in the then city of North York. The idea came out of a youth program that was run by Layne Clarke at the Flemingdon Park Resource Centre in January 1990. This program was an initiative of Grace Noel with the support of Patsy Zagotsis, the Parks and Recreation Area Coordinator. Instruments were borrowed from Oakdale Public School and the program was run out of the basement of the Flemingdon Park Resource Centre. The idea of a "community steelband" took shape with a mandate to provide a "positive alternative" to the youth in the area. Among the first participants in the program were the Bobbs, Francine Burke, and Melissa Noel.
Getting Off the Ground
Through much funding in the Flemingdon Park community the Panatics Steelband Network was formed. Leonard Noel, one of the founding members, was invited to become a member of the Flemingdon Park Action Committee and was instrumental in being able to source funding/grants to purchase instruments for a program at the Resource Centre.
Young Panatics
With some of the talent coming out of the first program at the Resource Centre, the "Young Panatics" was formed. The group soon grew in numbers and a full orchestra of over 15 players developed. The group performed at the first Snowflakes on Steel show in 1997. Other performances included Harbourfront, East York and Canada Day Celebrations, and FLemingdon Park Appreciation Day. Layne Clarke was the group's first arranger, followed by Winston "Pappy" Fredericks, and also gave Melissa Noel the opportunity to arrange a couple of times.