Published at 00:00, Saturday, 10 March 2007

A GROUP of young drummers have taken Belgium by storm.

Dalton-based group Boom Dang travelled to Brussels on Friday March 2 to perform at the Bravo Festival over the weekend.

All the band members are aged 15 to 19, and organised fund-raising events including a 24-hour-drumathon to be able to travel to Belgium.

Boom Dang was started six years ago in Dalton by Dan Fox and Therese Johnston of Hands on Rhythm, which makes the special “boom dang” drums and runs percussion workshops.

Mr Fox and Ms Johnston travelled to Brussels in January to collaborate with Bagadski, a Brussels-based percussion band that also uses the special Boom Dang drums, in preparation for the festival performance.

A third Boom Dang band from Belfast will also be joining Boom Dang Dalton at the festival, and the bands will also perform with a massed 250-piece choir.

Speaking before the trip, Ms Johnston said: “All the band members are looking forward to this trip, everyone is really excited.

“Boom Dang Dalton is currently fund-raising to bring Bagadski and Boom Dang Belfast over to the UK to play at one of our events such as the Dalton Carnival, Ulverston Carnival or the Ulverston Lantern Parade.”

The style of the Boom Dang drums combines Indian Dhol, Moroccan Alfaia, Brazilian Maracatu, side-ways surdos and British marching drums.

Each skin has a different thickness, giving two different tones.

The left skin is tuned low, giving a “boom” sound and the right skin is tuned higher, giving a “dang” sound.

For more information about Hands on Rhythm and Boom Dang call 01229 585898 or see www.handsonrhythm.co.uk

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk