CLUB OF THE WEEK: Tauranga Samba | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

The colourful club that rocked last month's Mount Maunganui Christmas Parade with its lively Brazilian beat wants more people to join in the fun.

Today boasting 30 members, Tauranga Samba has proven somewhat of a success story since founder Phil Solomon returned from Australia two years ago and decided to bring the excitement of Carnival to Tauranga people.

"In starting Tauranga Samba, I was looking at bringing the exhilarating power and energy of a large bateria - or a Brazilian drumming group - to the people of Tauranga and surrounding regions," he said.

"Tauranga Samba provides its members the opportunity to learn Brazilian-inspired percussive music and to be part of taking this music to the streets and events.

"It's also a medium through which visually creative people can become involved in realising fantastic, creative visions in the making of amazing costumes for the group."

Members danced down Maunganui Rd garbed in costumes resembling playing cards at last month's parade, while at Wellington's Cuba St Carnival in 2008, the group drummed away dressed like medieval warriors.

Previous performances have also garnered prizes and awards, such as the Best Adults Sports and Social Club award at the Mount Maunganui parade.

"Winning that prize was a big buzz but also a big prize for us personally, is to walk away from a gig with the feeling that we've thoroughly entertained our audience with a fantastic performance on the day," Mr Solomon said.

The parade was just one of 19 events the group has performed at this year.

Among them have been the Hamilton Christmas parade, the Tauranga Capoeira Latino Festival, the Auckland Carnival, the Whitianga Scallop Festival and the Kiwi Festival Carnival earlier in the year. For beginners, the group offers workshops each Saturday from 9.30am to 1pm, with one-on-one tutoring sessions given between 9.30am and 11am.

"No music experience is required and the only payment required for coming to Saturday's workshops is a gold coin donation and a commitment to performing at gigs once a player becomes competent on the instrument they are playing," he said.

"As performing at gigs is one of the most exciting aspects of Tauranga Samba, we find there is plenty of passion and interest from members to give back to the group by performing."

Many of its gigs are paid performances and all these funds go back into the group to support areas such as buying new instrument and creating costumes.

"The long term aim of the group is to continue increasing both group numbers and also the pool of musical experience in the group.

"Part of this is a commitment to strengthening its capacity to provide learning opportunities for its members, both musically and creatively.

"Being involved with Tauranga Samba is an exciting pastime - the group is a welcoming bunch of friendly people and new members are well supported in their journey into the group."

People interested in joining Tauranga Samba can contact Mr Solomon by phoning 021 0754300 or visiting the website www.taurangasamba.org. The group's next performance will be at the Maketu Kaimoana Festival on February 26.

THE DETAILS

Name: Tauranga Samba.
Number of members: 30.
Established: 2007.
How often it meets: The group holds a workshop on Saturdays between 9.30am and 1pm and performs at a diverse range of events.