The Eighth Shenzhen International Percussion Culture Festival will be held in April and May in Futian District. Launched by Zhan Minghui, president of Shenzhen Percussion Association, the festival is a well-established event in China. Most events are free and tickets can be claimed at the organizer’s WeChat: 深圳国际打击乐文化节.

    Opening ceremony & Ten Drum Art Percussion show

    The Ten Drum Art Percussion was formed in Taiwan. In 2001, the group performed their “Ten Thousand Drum” show, with 250 drummers performing together in Tainan. In 2002, the group performed in South Korea at the opening of the FIFA World Cup.

    Time: 8-10 p.m., May 5

    Venue: Shenzhen Gymnasium, Sungang Road West, Futian District (福田区笋岗西路深圳体育馆)

    Metro: Line 3, Tongxinling Station (通新岭站), Exit C

    Forum

    Percussionists and educators from France, the United States and China will discuss percussion promotion and development.

    Time: 2:30-4 p.m., May 5

    Venue: Shenzhen Gymnasium

    Percussionists’ carnival

    Chinese and foreign percussionists and bands, including Xinghai Modern Music Grand Orchestra, Izumi Koga Trio, Ronnie Williams, TUYE Percussion Group and Liuyue & Makai, will perform.

    Time: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., May 7

    Venue: Shenzhen Gymnasium

    Masters’ concert

    International drummers Peter Erskine, Aaron Serfaty and Virgil Donati will collaborate for a show. Erskine is an American jazz drummer who was a member of the jazz fusion groups Weather Report and Steps Ahead.

    Venezuela-born Serfaty has been playing professionally for 17 years. He moved to Los Angeles in 1991 to attend the California Institute of the Arts. Soon after he began touring and recording with Arturo Sandoval and Jon Anderson. He is currently on faculty at the University of Southern California, the California Institute of the Arts and the Los Angeles Music Academy.

    Donati is an Australian drummer, a frequent drum clinician and a producer. He is currently playing with Planet X, Allan Holdsworth and his own band among other projects. He is perhaps most well-known for his fast, highly technical drumming.

    Time: 8-10 p.m., May 6

    Tickets: 50-100 yuan

    Venue: Shenzhen Gymnasium

    Exhibition

    Information and knowledge of percussion, international bands, associations and educational organizations will be introduced. Visitors can also experience the art of percussion by listening and playing at the exhibition.

    Dates: May 5-7

    Venue: Shenzhen Gymnasium

    Lecture

    Time 1: 7:30-9 p.m., April 29

    Speaker: Roger Sham (Hong Kong drummer)

    Time 2: 7:30-9 p.m., April 30

    Speaker: Chen Wenji (Taiwan Percussion Art Alliance CEO)

    Venue: Theater Hall, Futian Cultural Hall, 3006 Fuqiang Road (福强路3006号福田区文化馆戏剧主题馆)

    Metro: Line 3, Yitian Station (益田站), Exit B(SD News)