A new era of music is on the horizon, coming from the South Pacific, and it will be at the Wabash Valley College's Brubeck Theatre Tuesday, March 29, for a 7:30 p.m. performance.

Until now there has not been a band who has captivated the intensity and energy of the South Pacific with a contemporary and marketable sound. Drum Drum's music is unique because it has developed in both the Islands and in Australia over the past seven years - a blend of South Pacific log drums and chants with Hip-Hop, Dub reggae grooves.

The band is made up of some of the South Pacific's best musicians and dancers, predominantly from Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Australia. The choreography and traditional dance are strong features of the show. Some of the traditional songs and dances have never been performed outside of Papua New Guinea. The show features spectacular log drumming, with costumes and body painting evoking their traditional ritual origins.

A national reviewer said Drum Drum is "a vibrant, energetic celebration of culture... a joyful journey through the cultures of the Pacific."

With over 800 languages and 3,000 dialects, Papua New Guinea is one of the most diverse countries in the world. From this rich cultural diversity has developed a truly unique style of contemporary performance.

The traditional music and dance that Drum Drum performs come from various regions of Papua New Guinea. Some of these include: Bird dances and Kundu drumming of Morobe province, Rain dances and chants from Gaba Gaba coastal village - Central Province, Log drumming (garamut) of the Manus Islands, Fertility and festive dances from the Trobriand Islands.

One of the elements in Drum Drum's performance is the fusion of invigorating Island chants with highly energetic log drumming and dance with a strong influence of Hip-Hop and Dub.

Performers have a huge following in their hometown, Darwin, and also in Papua New Guinea, where they have had film clips in the local TV charts for the past four years.

Drum Drum is touted as one of the most innovative contemporary groups in Australia and the South Pacific.

The name 'Drum Drum' is the English translation of 'Gaba Gaba,' which is the name of a village found on the Southern Coast of Papua New Guinea, the birthplace of Lead Singer Tau Ingram and heritage of Musical Director Airi Ingram. Ingram has been recognized internationally as one of the most important up-and-coming figures in contemporary South Pacific music, and has toured to the University of West Florida in 2000, New Caledonia in 1999, and received a Churchill Fellowship in 1998.

Tickets are $10 and are available in the Brubeck Arts Center Gallery or by calling Cathy Seaton at 618-263-4999, ext. 3999 or 3480.