FRINGE NZ MEDIA RELEASE
19 February 2004
GRAB YOUR MARACAS - THE CAPITAL IS ABOUT TO GET ITS GROOVE BACK!
what: Fringe NZ Drumstruck - NZ's largest percussion event
when: Sunday 22 February, 6pm - til late
where: Frank Kitts Lagoon/ City-to-Sea-Bridge/ Civic Square
wet weather venue: please call 495 8015 or 021 384443 for details
FREE!
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