Over the weekend of March 18 and 19 the City of Greater Dandenong will play host The Drum Festival.
The Drum Festival is the brainchild of Kate Welsman, aka Systa bb on RRR’s The Good, The Dub & The Global. “A drum festival presents us with a chance to check that instrument’s role in so many cultures,” Kate says. “The bands involved think laterally about percussion and will present something unique to festival goers.”
Over two days The Drum Festival will feature continuous performances starting with Taikoz from 1pm with a special school performance. DJ Mr Fish will take the party into the night.
The Saturday morning starts at Dandenong Market with South Sudanese Equatorial Association, Batacuda Band and Colin Bogaar with Dandenong school children performance, Acholi Womens Cultural Association and Community Drumming.
In the Drum Theatre, Master Percussionist Ray Pereira will hold workshops between 9am and midday followed by Melbourne Music Award winner David Jones between midday and 2pm.
Saturday at 1pm, following Welcome To Country, hip-hop crew DMP will play in the new public space in Lonsdale Street, adjacent to the Drum Theatre.
The space will also feature a workshop showcase from Mady Keita and a free performance from One Africa, Mumbai Mail, Nicky Bomba & Family and MASSIVE.
Melbourne band Grrilla step will mash it up with PNG traditional rhythms and beats. Then Future Roots will perform at the Marimba Bar.
Tickets for the evening performances and workshops with Ray Pereira and David Jones are on sale from the Drum Theatre Box Office on the corner of Lonsdale and Walker Streets, Dandenong.
The workshops are free for Greater City of Dandenong residents.
Phone (03) 9771 6666 or click here for more details
