Jungle rhythms

By Bridget Cook
Central Dandenong will come alive on 18 and 19 March for the inaugural Drum Festival, sponsored by the City of Greater Dandenong and VicUrban.
Central Dandenong will be transformed into a unique Drum Market, as free performances, workshops and evening events will bring the Drum Theatre, Dandenong Market and the new Amphitheatre in Lonsdale Street to life.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Roz Blades said the festival was a fantastic opportunity for the community to embrace the music that inspires Dandenong.
“Music is a great way to explore different cultures,” she said.
“It is a universal language that binds us all, no matter where we are from in the world.
“The Drum Festival is an event for the whole community and I would encourage everyone in our city to come along and enjoy the entertainment on offer.”
The festival will kick off with a school performance from Taikoz at 1pm on 18 March. This will be followed by an evening performance at the Drum Theatre of their new and dramatic work called Shifting Sands. They will be joined by DJ Fish, who will ensure the party continues.
On Saturday a number of workshops will be held at the Drum Theatre.
Master Percussionist Ray Pereira will host a workshop from 10am-12noon and Melbourne Music Award winner David Jones will run a second workshop from 12noon to 2pm.
Musical entertainment will continue into the night at the Drum Theatre with Grrilla Step, DJ Dexter, the dynamic drumming of Papua New Guinea percussionist Airi Ingram, the dance style of Dandenong crew Royal Fam and Future Roots DJs.
Dandenong Market will come to life on Saturday morning with performances by the South Sudanese Equatorial Association, Acholi Women’s Cultural Association, Batacuda Band, Colin Bogaar with Dandenong school children and Community Drumming. The new amphitheatre in Lonsdale Street, adjacent to the Drum Theatre, will host the afternoon festivities.
This new open-air space will feature local hip hop crew DMP, a workshop showcase by Mady Keita and free performances by One Africa, Mumbai Mail, Nicky Bomba and The Family Band and MASSIVE – Australia’s first hip hop choir.
Saturday’s free program will close with a percussion frenzy which will culminate in an all-in ‘Community Jam’.
For tickets call 9771 6666 or visit www.drumtheatre.com.au