Flash! in the Pans is one of the largest community-based steelbands in the United States.

Formed in 1990 as an adult education program and centered in Blue Hill, Maine, members of Flash! find as much joy in playing the steel drum (known as pan) as they do in sharing their music with enthusiastic audiences of all ages, from infants to centenarians.

Flash! is a program of Peninsula Pan, Inc., it’s parent non-profit organization.

FLASH!’s approximately 30 members, many of whom have little or no prior musical background, range in age from teens to 80, and in their “other” lives are students, retirees, teachers, farmers, carpenters, business owners, and professionals. Band members donate their time, energy, and talents for the sheer fun of spreading the joy of playing pan.

Flash! players create and support community—music is the magic that can bring diverse audiences together. People-watchers, toe-tappers, and dancers share the audience space — enjoy the vibe, rub shoulders, engage strangers in conversation, and try out players’ pans during intermission. Flash! also fulfills this mission by offering financial aid to local pan students, and sharing audience donations with a partnering non-profit organization after each street dance.