One of Splashy Fen's most increasingly popular draw-cards - The Drum Cafe - is set to quadruple its 'tribal revelry' quota. Last year saw the South African chapter of this globally-networked rhythmic collective arrive with 50 drums, which proved not nearly enough once initial crowd shyness was overcome and everyone wanted to have a go.

Splashy 2004 will be a different 'bag-of-beats' altogether, with a dozen or so members of The Drum Cafe bringing 200 percussion pieces - mostly West African djembe drums - to ensure a truly banging time for all. Renowned for its team-building, stress-relieving and entertaining qualities, this all-inclusive Drum Cafe approach is the key - a chance to discover the 'drummer within' while sharing the experience of one-ness with an ever-evolving group of 'new best friends'.

From politicians to party-animals, it's universally agreed that The Drum Cafe experience is "a slice of magic where one doesn't have to be an expert to begin with...it's easy to get the hang of and time seems to just disappear...it's that much fun and a great vibe!"

Friday and Saturday will each feature three Drum Circles - the first, at midday, for youngsters and adults new to the art of 'bashing the skins', followed by a R20 paying workshop at 5 pm under the tutelage of master drummers Africa and Paul, and then a 'Free Interactive Jam' at 6.30 pm. Festival-goers are heartily urged to bring along their own instruments - percussion, string-driven or otherwise - to both ease demand for The Drum Cafe's collection and add to the overall ambience.

A guaranteed highlight of Sunday's programme will be the 'Drum Celebration' - scheduled to launch the afternoon roster - when everyone is invited to join in a mass 'expression session'. Novices will by this time no doubt be able to 'hold a beat' right up there with the maestros of poly-rhythm pounding, who plan to unveil their chest-height Zimbabwe drums for the occasion. This will surely prove to be a magnetic centre-piece of significant note.

Legend has it that discovering one's inner nature comes through surrendering to primal rhythms...go find yourself at Splashy Fen 2004!