Dutch composer and arranger Lucas Van Merwijk was on tour in Europe about 12 years ago with a band that featured vocalists from several continents. He and other band leaders hoped that by using singers from different countries, they would broaden their outfit's appeal and still retain authenticity, unlike, say, Cirque du Soleil, whose singers deliver in a non-language.
But Van Merwijk and his friends found that there was a problem. Even if audiences liked the singers, there were linguistic and other barriers to negotiate. To create an ensemble that could be understood by everyone, Van Merwijk decided to put together a global percussion group.
Thus was born Drums United.
"Drumming and percussion crosses every border," he said from Calgary last weekend, where his troupe was performing. "We all understand rhythm. We all have heartbeats. We all speak drum language."
Drums United, with percussionists from Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, performs this weekend as part of the 12th annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival in St. Paul. The all-day festival, which takes place Saturday and Sunday on several stages and in gardens in Rice Park and around the Ordway Center, include dance, music and storytelling by over a dozen acts.
The international highlights include Montreal-based Théâtre des Petites Âmes (Little Souls), a puppet troupe that's doing a show called "BAM." The story takes place in a land called Tran Tran Troo, where the most famous person is the Great Lady La. She makes the water sing until the land dries up on a hot summer night.
"Zorro" is another mainstage attraction, this one presented by the Scottish troupe Visible Fictions. It retells the story of the 19th-century California swashbuckler.
At the last minute, the Ordway had to scramble to replace The Wolf and the Goat, an Italian outfit that could not enter the country because of visa issues. The Italian act was replaced by Guinean music-and-dance ensemble Fakoly, most of whose performers are alums of Les Ballets Africains.
