STRIKE Hit Turangi

The boom boom of ERUPT Taupo Festival is heading to Turangi with percussion group STRIKE performing live at Tongariro School Hall.

CUBED is a trademark show by the drumming group from Wellington, and the show on Tuesday 13 May will feature STRIKE performers hitting, banging and tapping beats on a myriad of traditional and non-traditional percussion instruments adorning a scaffolding set.

Originally devised in 2002, CUBED is a combination of theatre and dance elements. The skillful creativity, choreography and humour have wowed, entertained, moved, surprised and impressed audiences around the world.

Drew James, ERUPT Taupo Festival Director says this year the Festival is keen to incorporate communities around the Lake beyond the ERUPT epicentre at the Great Lake Centre in Taupo.

The other major show in Turangi is the New Zealand String Quartet with virtuoso violinist Alexa Still and master of Maori instruments, Richard Nunns at Tongariro School Hall on Friday 16 May. ERUPT is also running various workshops and performances for schools, including Mangakino, Reparoa, Tongariro, Tauhara and Taupo-nui-a-Tia.

He says Turangi has a very strong community, and getting the performances there has been made possible with support from a number of local council representatives, Huckleberry’s Sports and Charitable Society and Tuwharetoa FM radio.

“Ultimately it’s a great opportunity to go to Turangi, especially as it is not always possible for people to travel around the Lake to Taupo. The response is huge, we’re really pleased to be making the effort as everyone is enthusiastic about making it work - from the people at the Taupo District Council office in Turangi to the wonderful people at the Information Centre who are busy selling tickets.”

He says “We really want it to be successful in Turangi because it will help open the way to developing more opportunities with Turangi at future ERUPT festivals.”

STRIKE Percussion draw on influences from Pacific, classical and contemporary music and have collaborated with leading New Zealand composers, other musicians and groups from dancers to symphony orchestras.

Founded in 1993 as a classically trained percussion ensemble, Strike has evolved into a high-energy drumming group seamlessly combining movement and theatre-based performance.

Drew James says the visual experience is equally important to the appeal of STRIKE as the music. He rates CUBED as a really strong and accessible work.

“The first time I ever presented Strike and CUBED was when I was with the NZ International Festival touring shows into the Wellington region. It toured on the back of a truck, and it certainly captured peoples attention”.

“Percussion can speak to everybody, it’s something everybody understands and really enjoys. For some of the audience STRIKE could be an inspiration to take an interest in music and performance further.”

Presented by Tuwharetoa 97.2FM 95.1
& Huckleberry’s Sports and Charitable Society