A community band with an impressive performance edge, the Pan‑handlers Steel Drum Band has been captivating audiences since their inception in 2014 with their vibrant Caribbean sound and diverse repertoire, including traditional steel pan tunes, The Beatles, Guns N’ Roses, and Prince. Experience the sweet, lively sound of the steel drums, which evolved from old oil barrels to the beautiful instruments we love today. Come and feel the rhythm only these instruments can create!

Meet The Director

Since his early days busking along the boardwalk in his hometown of Duluth, MN, Chris Belich has never lost his passion for the steel drum and the community it inspires.  Moving to the Twin Cities metro in 2015, he quickly joined the Pan-handlers and has continued to perform throughout the area as a steel pan soloist with several groups.  Over the years he’s had the privilege of making multiple trips to Trinidad, the birthplace of the steel pan, where he’s competed with the Silver Stars steel drum band in their national Panorama competition.  Having become director of the Pan-handlers in 2020, Chris has continually sought to bring the same culture, community, and ‘good vibes’ he’s experienced in the Caribbean back home to Minnesota.

Our Instruments

Invented in the early 20th century, the Steel Drum (or Steel Pan) originated as nothing more than a series of notes shaped from the bottom of an old oil barrel. Over the following decades, the instrument has become increasingly refined, eventually coming to produce the sweet, lively sound we know and love today.

All of our pans are meticulously hand-crafted by master tuner and builder Steve Lawrie. Learn more about Steve and the beautiful instruments he creates at his page www.pantuner.com.