Isn't it time you visit a panyard?

Last week Friday, as I left Mel Lastman Square after enjoying a free David Rudder performance at the Cultura festival, I was driving down Sheppard on my way home. I stopped at a traffic light at Keele street and I had little desire to return to an empty house (Karabana went to visit her folks out of town) and as good company as the cats make, I was still left wanting. Then I remembered Pan Fantasy  has their panyard right in Downsview park. I pulled a quick U-turn and went to check them out. I drove around aimlessly for a bit and then stopped the car and listened for pan. I soon found them.

I love watching people play pan. Its amazing to watch an arranger work out a new piece on the fly, then walk around and teach the few lines to all the different sections and then see these players work it out in a matter of minutes and hear it all come together. It makes me jealous.

If you haven't seen it in a while, you need to check it out. If you have never brought your children to a panyard, its something they need to see.

There are lots of pan-sides in Toronto and they welcome the public to come take a look and listen.

This is a link to a list of panyards... its not my list, so try and verify it's up to date before you leave home... facebook is a good tool

AfroPan has started their Sunday blockos and they are also having a show coming up

Speaking of pan, I just heard a little more on the Pan in the parade story that's been developing in the comments of the band position post.
What I'm hearing now is, there is a thought to have a jouvert event within the CNE after Pan Alive and have that event run once the competition is over until morning. Sounds like a BLAST to me.
But the talk is, its an either or option. Either jouvert or the steel bands participate in the parade. Nothing is set in stone yet. I don't even know if they have permission for an all night event, its still in the planning stages, and there is a meeting on the weekend. Change is good, its a sign of a healthy vibrant festival. I'll let you know if I hear anymore
What you all think?