oceanic dvt

The Royal Drummers of Burundi (who performed October 5th at the Ferguson Center) are known as one of the greatest percussion ensembles in the world. The performance tradition has been passed down for centuries from father to son, and the origins of the performance are still unclear. It's all mysterious and legendy, but in my opinion... they're basically just really awesome.

The first half of the concert was a bit of a disappointment, I must admit. The first act (about 4o minutes) belonged to the Mombasa Party - a group of four artists that formed the African village equivalent of a garage band. The three gentlemen played a variety of traditional and not-so-traditional instrments, while the single woman in the group had lead vocals.

While hearing the kind of every day music that Kenyans listen to was pretty neat, it was not at all neat enough to hold my attention for 40 minutes.

  The collection of instruments was remarkably similar to what an American band might be formed of, though obviously the resulting sound was completely different. There were lead vocals, of course, and bongos as the drums. The bass guitar for the band was a "double bass" - kind of an electric bass guitar with a smaller body but similar sound. The two instuments that were the most different from American sounds were the ones that we would associate with a lead guitar and a keyboard. The harmonium is an instrument that sounds remarkable like an accordian to me, just not as annoying. One hand plays a keyboard, while the other handles the lever that stops the strings. The tashkota sounds a bit like a sitar but is played by plucking strings as it lays in your lap.

I enjoyed the music, don't get me wrong, but it just wasn't the kind of thing I would want in a concert setting. It was repetitive and just not all that interesting, especially without a translation of any of the songs. I did at one point hear them singing the words "Hakuna Matata" in one song, though. Thank you, Mr. Disney, for expanding my horizons on that front.

Just before the end of the first act, the Royal Drummers gave us a taste of what was next. They entered sedately enough, simply clicking together their drumsticks, but from the shifting in seats and the quiet rustling of programs as they entered, you could tell that THIS was what the audience had come to see. When they suddenly filled the hall with the thunderous sound of their drums, a spontaneous cheer rose up. Then regretfully, the curtain came down and we had to wait fifteen whole minutes for the magic to begin again.

Here is where I must throw in a viewer advisory: Take some aspirin before you come see these guys. In case you missed the title, they are the Royal DRUMMERS of Burundi. And they drum. Oh, boy, do they drum. For a straight hour, these amazing men are jumping around the stage and drumming. And drumming.

Not that it gets monotonous, surprisingly enough. I remember when I saw Stomp, I was ready to leave after the first hour because it just wasn't new anymore. The Royal Drummers play for a little over an hour, and I'd say that's just about perfect. The show is nicely varied and there's enough showmanship to keep it interesting without making it a circus. 

Now, let me describe the drums themselves. They're made of hollowed out trees, so basically you have this three-and-a-half feet tall tree trunk that's been hollowed out and a skin stretched over the opening. Hollowed out or not, you could tell those things were heavy... but they entered for the second act with the drums balanced on their heads. I repeat... On. Their. Heads. And in case that wasn't difficult enough, they then started playing them. On. Their. Heads. This drums-on-head parade began at the back of the audience and traveled down the aisle to the steps on the side that lead to the stage wings. They then climbed the steps (drums still on heads, mind you) and entered the stage from the wing. They made their "U" formation, and one by one took the drums off, set them on the ground, and continued playing. Incredible.

  The most riveting thing about the whole performance, however, was the joyful tone that imbued the entire theatre. It was a primal, joyful celebration of life, and each of the drummers was smiling the entire time he was playing. Or dancing, for that matter. The beating of the drums was choreographed enough - they all leapt and danced around behind their drums and swung their sticks together as they played. But they also took turns in the center, doing this incredibly happy, almost goofy tribal dance that had them leaping, twirling, and rolling on the floor with the music. I swear this one guy could probably leap over my head if he tried.

If watching them perform was exhausting (and it was), I can't imagine how they must've felt up there on stage. The concept of maintaining that level of energy just boggles the mind. And then, after over an hour of playing, the drums went back up on their heads again for their final exit. These boys certainly ate their Wheaties.

If (when) the Royal Drummers return to Hampton Roads... go. Do not question it, just go. It's the most exhilarating experience I've had in quite a while. Even with the false start to the evening, I am so happy I saw this show. The unrestrained joy of the evening had me shouting from my seat and barely restraining myself from jumping to my feet. I don't know when they might be coming back, but I will most certainly see you there.