FRINGE '04: Capital To Get Its Groove Back!

FRINGE NZ MEDIA RELEASE
19 February 2004

DRUMSTRUCK, New Zealand's largest percussion event returns to the waterfront this Sunday 22 February, taking the Capital on an incredible journey into sound. From Pasifika to Brazilian drum and dance, Japanese, Latin American, Indian and African traditional and contemporary rhythms - Drumstruck is set to get Wellingtonians moving, grooving, toe-tapping, knee-slapping and making a whole lot of noise!

"Drumstruck is New Zealand's biggest ever evening of drumming and percussion, " said Murray MacDonald, long-time drummer, organiser of the Full Moon Drumming Circle and Art Director of Drumstruck. "It's an awesome celebration of Wellington's drum culture and a unique event because it's a moving drum and dance party, encorporating some of the city's pre-eminent landmarks. The audience and drummers move from the Lagoon in Frank Kitts Park, over the City-to-Sea Bridge and in Civic Square."

From 5pm the Batucada Afro-Brazilian drummers will lead the masses down Cuba St with a flurry of energy and rhythmic commotion, converging on the Lagoon at Frank Kitts Park. At 6pm the official programme begins with a striking combination of beats from around the globe. Then, summoned by Putatara (conch-shell horns) sounded by Cook Island group Tangi Ka'ara and the Japanese Taiko drums, the audience and performers move to the City-to-Sea Bridge for acoustic performances, including Taiko Za (International Pacific College Taiko), and the ACG Chinese Lion Dancers and Drummers. The rousing beat of the City of Wellington Pipe Band Drum Corps will then lead the procession down to the main stage in Civic Square.

As the sun sets in the west and the full moon rises in the east the stage programme begins. Confirmed acts include North Indian Tabla (Ritesh Parbhu from Indo-Dub fusion group Moksha), an hypnotic fusion of world drumming, didgeredoo and electronica from the Diwata Drum Tribe and Ogomu Korean Drum Dance (Ami Lee). The finale is a spectacular set by renound Roots percussionst Riki Gooch (Trinity Roots).

After 9pm the audience moves into an electro-acoustic zone where digital trance and tribal rhythms blend with live percussion and other acoustic instruments.

Then the Full Moon Drum Circle and fire dancing from Flame Fire Productions (Mahuika's Fire) take over on the Jack Illot Green. It's an hour or more of spontaneous drumming, fire dancing and collective euphoria under the full moon. "The emphasis is on participation so bring drums, acoustic percussion, didgeridoos or your dancing shoes and join in, " says MacDonald.

The Fringe NZ Festival runs from February 14 - March 14, 2004

Web site address: www.fringe.org.nz

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