Hoping to stoke the embers of memory's fire, the 1970s Newtown band Panacea returns to the stage Sunday, September 4, from 4 to 7 pm, in the band shell at Dickinson Memorial Park.The Newtown Bee, with the trophy.The Newtown Bee.a reunion dance in 2014, sponsored by Newtown Parks & Recreation.Panacea Newtown on Facebook.

Made up of members Bruce Tibbitts (guitar/vocals, NHS Class of 1969), Corky Ballard, bass/vocals (Class of 1970), Rick Kuhn, drums/vocals (Class of 1970), Jon Dodson, guitar/vocals (Class of 1970), and Leslie Ballard, flute/vocals (Class of 1972), Panacea formed while all were attending Newtown High School.

The band won a Connecticut Battle of the Bands competition in 1971, playing all original music, and was featured in

"We broke up after high school," said Ms Ballard, "and while we've all continued to play, some still together, we hadn't played as a band in 40 years."

In 2013, the band was asked to reunite for the Great Newtown Reunion, playing from their song list from the 60s and 70s.

"We ran out of time after only a few songs, so we promised to play again the next year," Ms Ballard recalled in a recent e-mail to

The band did so, organizing

This year, drummer Rick Kuhn will travel from Idaho and guitarist Jon Dodson will drive in from Arizona to join the rest of Panacea at Dickinson Park.

"While the band paid all expenses in 2014," said Ms Ballard, "we reached out for a little help this time. Most of the expenses - sound system, video, facility fees, insurance, travel - have been covered by generous donations from fellow Newtowners to our GoFundMe campaign. There are even several donations from non-Newtowners who just want to support Newtown. There are some good people out there."

Memorial donations have also been made, she said, allowing 1970s classmates who have passed away to "be there in spirit."

The free concert is meant as a "casual reunion" for all Newtown residents, and coincides with class reunions for NHS 1971 and 1976. Concertgoers are invited to bring picnics, chairs, blankets, "and their dancing shoes," Ms Ballard said.

Soloist Manny Pavone will open for Panacea, and The Willie-Portera Trio (Tod Willie, Jay Willie, and Tom Portera) will play an acoustic set. Spence Sound has been hired for sound, and video will be recorded by Michael Ostuni of Michael Ostuni Photography, New York City. Plans are for the video to be posted online.

"Newtown musician Matt Spencer will be adding percussion and hand drums," Ms Ballard said, and sound designer/keyboardist Christian Martirano will give keyboard and vocal support.

Attendees, young and old, can look forward to additional songs from Panacea, with two sets of hits from the 60s and 70s.

"Playing songs we grew up with is special," Ms Ballard said, "but this is really about giving folks a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and most of all, support each other."

Noting that the new Sandy Hook Elementary School will have recently opened, with a possibility of a difficult back-to-school transition this year, "It's a good time to get together and reconnect," she said. "Life is short, friends are precious."

Panacea will perform rain or shine. Updates are posted at

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