29th June, 2016 Embassy of Japan in collaboration with Japan Foundation presents to the Kingdom of Tonga Wadaiko Rindo drummer group, of professional taiko drummers and shamisen players to perform during the Heilala Festival 2016 Multi-Cultural Night and Block Party, in Nuku‘alofa.
Leading Wadaiko Rindo four day tour, is Mr. Toshinori Sakamoto who formed the group in 1996 in Melbourne, Australia. Sakamoto first visited Nuku’alofa in 2010 and performed in schools and to the public. This year’s tour is joined by Mr. Daisuke Kawakami, an integral member of the group who can play various
styles of taiko drumming from O-daiko (big drum), Shime-daiko (small drum) to Katsugi-okedo (hanging drum) and Ms. Yukiko Shoya a professional drummer and shamisen player who have performed at a number of music festivals and cultural events for over 10 years.
Wadaiko Rindo received the Music Award at Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2004 and performed in festivals around Australia including the Melbourne International Festival, and also has performed in Fiji, New Caledonia, China and Tonga.
Local drummers of the Kingdom and cultural related groups are invited to view Wadaiko Rindo drummers’ performance on Thursday, 30 June 2016 during the Heilala Fesitival Multi-Cultural Night at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, and also from 8:30 on Friday, 1 July at the Digicel Square, in conjunction with the Block Party event.
Embassy of Japan acknowledged the joined effort from Japan Foundation, Tonga’s Ministry of Tourism and the Heilala Festival Committee 2016 to enhance understanding of the people of the Kingdom of Tonga into Japan’s culture, through music.
ENDS
Issued from the Embassy of of Japan, Tonga
For further enquires please contact: Ms. Yoko. Tochihara Administration Officer, Embassy of Japan in Tonga. Level 5, National Reserve Bank of Tonga Building / Telephone: 22-221 / Fax 27-025