| Tattoo gives drumming an edge |
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| Written by Makoena Pabale | |
| Wednesday, 27 August 2008 | |
 Prepare to be rocked when Swiss masters Top Secret Drum Corps brings its brand of fast, playful drumming to the South African Tattoo. THE Top Secret Drum Corps will be performing at the South African Tattoo, scheduled for Montecasino next month. Running from 11 to 14 September at the Fourways venue, a tattoo is display of military exercises and music offered as entertainment. And the Top Secret band's secret seems to be that its drummers play at a fast pace with a playful beat.  Highland dancers: Fresh from their tour of the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland, more than 40 of South Africa’s top highland dancers will perform at the South African Tattoo The band itself is looking forward to making its first appearance in South Africa. "We are really looking forward to going to South Africa," said Claudio Rudin, a member of the group. "I'm sure that the crowds will enjoy our show and we are excited to be part of and to see the South African Tattoo." Formed in 1990 in Basel in Switzerland, the band's fame grew after a knock-out performance at the Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Canada; it got the band an invitation to appear at the Edinburgh Tattoo in 2003 and again in 2005. Top Secret was one of the first non-military, non-Commonwealth acts to perform on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle. It also has performed in Europe, the United States and Australia. Under the leadership of Erik Julliard, the band founded the Basel Tattoo, which is now held annually in the city.  Top secret: Drummers from the Top Secret band play at a fast pace with a playful beat Basel is famous for its annual Fasnacht Carnival, in which more than 3 000 drummers take part; and Top Secret's drumming style is rooted in these drumming traditions of its hometown. Members have diverse day jobs as bankers, civil servants and factory workers, but spend most of their free time practising and perfecting their drumming skills - because of this, membership is always changing. Montecasino's general manager, Steve Howell, is excited to be hosting the band and the tattoo. "We are delighted that they have agreed to come to South Africa. They are going to blow you away and will leave you begging for more." The South African Tattoo takes place from 11 to 14 September at Montecasino, in Fourways. Tickets range from R110 to R190 each at Computicket, on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000, or through the Computicket website.
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