Local legendary rock band Panacea performed its second annual Panacea & Friends Twixtmas show at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards last weekend.

The band is comprised of original members and siblings Leslie Ballard on vocals, flute, and percussion, and Corky Ballard on vocals, guitar, and bass. The December 28 lineup also included Christian Martirano on vocals and keyboards, Tony Traina on drums and vocals, and Steve Moran on sax and melodica.

Musical selections drew from rock, blues, jazz, and funk, as well as holiday music. The set list also included Corky Ballard’s new jazz arrangement of “Summer Breeze,” which his sister said “was a hit!”

A capacity audience filled the room on Sunday for the Twixtmas show.

“We ended up with every table filled and standing room only,” Leslie Ballard also shared this week. “There wasn't much room in front of the band for a designated dance floor so people were dancing around their tables wherever there was room — popup dance floors.”

Leslie made centerpieces ahead of New Year, decorating tables with pom poms, noisemakers, and even 2026 glasses for audience members to take for their New Year’s Eve celebrations. She also made use of empty Aquila’s Nest wine bottles, filling some with tiny string lights to add more sparkle to each table.

Many residents were spotted at the show, according to Leslie.

“Lots of old friends caught up with each other, and [vineyard owner] Neviana [Zhgaba] allows guests to bring their own food, so there were tables full of delicious homemade food and treats,” she said, adding “Some groups ordered pizza delivery and The Greek Cave food truck was busy.”

Twixtmas, from Old English “betwixt,” meaning between, and “Christmas,” is already a popular holiday in England for family and friends. Panacea introduced its musical celebration of the week between Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s with a similar show last year at the same venue.

Panacea formed in the early 1970s, when its members were students at Newtown High School. The band broke up after its members graduated from high school.

Forty years later, in July 2013, the Ballards were joined by guitarist Bruce Tibbits, guitarist Jon Dodson, and drummer Rick Kuhn for an abbreviated performance at The Great Newtown Reunion. Different iterations of the band have continued to perform Labor Day weekend shows almost annually since, filling the pavilion at Dickinson Town Park with music and multiple generations of fans.

Leslie Ballard said this week there is already talk of Twixtmas 2026.