Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Li Xinyi
One of the Tainan Spring Travel series, the "2013 Tainan International Drum Festival," will take place from February 11 to February 16 (the second to seventh days of the Lunar New Year). With the theme “Iron Arena Shakes the Golden City,” this year breaks away from conventional traditional drum performances. In addition to local acts like the Ten Drums Art Percussion Group and Shohei Iron Drum Ensemble, the festival has invited seven outstanding drum performance troupes from five countries: the United States’ Grooversity Latin Drum Ensemble, France’s Panameric Steel Drum Band, Korea’s Hwaseong Mutual Aid Group, Japan’s NoBushi Taiko Group, and Taiwan’s Wheel Drum Ensemble.
The Tainan International Drum Festival takes place during the Lunar New Year holiday, where one ticket gives audiences access to five different drum performances. (Photo provided by / Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)
Among them, France’s Panameric Steel Drum Band is performing in Taiwan for the first time and is currently one of the most important steel drum ensembles in Paris. The steel drums brought by the ensemble are recycled from discarded gasoline barrels. The Japan’s NoBushi Taiko Group, which has been participating in Taiwan’s drum events for six years now, has also built up a large fan base here. Taiwan’s emerging Shohei Iron Drum Ensemble was formed for the movie Dream Sugar Factory. Their instruments include iron drums, steel drums, motors, and car rims, combining unconventional percussion tools to deliver energetic and dynamic musical performances.
The "2013 Tainan International Drum Festival" originally scheduled performances nightly starting from the second day of the Lunar New Year at 18:00, with additional shows at 14:30 and 16:30. During the event period, visitors only need to purchase one entry ticket to enjoy five consecutive drum performances. The opening and closing ceremonies on the second and seventh days respectively will feature all seven groups in a grand joint performance. For related show schedules and ticket information, please visit the official website: www.ten-hsieh.com.tw/cultrue/news/2013/2013-drum.html.
During the Lunar New Year holiday in Tainan, aside from the 2013 Tainan International Drum Festival, there will also be the "Giant Light and Shadow – 3D Magic Sound and Light Show" held every evening at 19:00 and 20:30 from the third to fifth days at Yonghua City Hall. Meanwhile, the "2013 Moon River Port Lantern Festival" in YanShui from February 5 to 24 features an exhibition themed “Hometown in Dreams.” For those seeking a more thrilling New Year experience, the YanShui Beehive Rockets event on February 24 is not to be missed.
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