Drumming up support

Dunedin’s O-Taiko Japanese inspired drumming ensemble will drum non-stop for 24 hours this...
Dunedin’s O-Taiko Japanese inspired drumming ensemble will drum non-stop for 24 hours this weekend, at Burns Hall, in support of Tongan disaster relief. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Japanese-inspired drumming ensemble O-Taiko will tackle the challenge of 24 hours of non-stop drumming this weekend, in support of Tongan disaster relief.

The Dunedin drumming group will hold its 24 hour drum-athon from 6pm this Friday to 6pm on Saturday, at Burns Hall, in the grounds of First Church.

Supported by the University of Otago School of Performing Art, the community-based O-Taiko drumming group run classes and public workshops, as well as performing in Dunedin and around the South Island.

The volcanic eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai in January devastated Tonga, as well as causing several tsunamis.

All of the money raised at the fundraiser will go to the people of Tonga.

The group will be joined over the 24 hours by performance groups including Europa Kid and Paradiso, the Waitaki District Schools Pipe Band, RASA Dance, Dunedin Rock Choir, percussion groups Fatima’s Dream and Drum Collective, and the Otago Tongan Student Association.

O-Taiko are fundraising through GiveaLittle: givealittle.co.nz/cause/taiko4tonga and will also have a collection box for gold-coin entry.

The performances will be open to the public on Friday, from 6pm to 10pm, and Saturday, 7am to 6pm.

There will be public workshops on Saturday, at 10am and 2pm, giving visitors the chance to have a go with the drums.

Visitors will be asked to wear a mask and sanitise their hands before entering Burns Hall.

For more information, find O-Taiko on Facebook and @otaikodunedin on Instagram.