A rare treat is coming our way, southern Minnesota.

Zenshin Daiko, a non-profit group of 40 performers ages 6 – 17 are coming straight from Makawao, Hawaii, will perform a free concert at Bandshell Community Park on Thursday, June 21.

Zenshin Daiko is a performing group dedicated to teaching taiko to children, and sharing with the community.

Taiko means “great” or “wide” drum.

The children perform amazingly on these tremendously large drums, and the sound is absolutely amazing.  Check out what is in store for us at www.facebook.com/pages/Zenshin-Daiko/149619415073567.

The group is coming to our area to perform in the Rochesterfest parade to honor former Rochester mayor Chuck Hazama, who is Hawaiian.

During the Austin phase of their trip here, we will be taking them on tours of our world-famous Spam Museum, which is widely known in Hawaii, and the group members tell us they are proud to be big Spam fanatics.

After the tour at the museum, they will tour The Hormel Institute, also known around the world for its’ cutting edge, ongoing cancer research. Later in the afternoon of June 21 we will be serving them Spam burgers, after which they will be performing at the Bandshell Park.

In case of rain or other inclement weather, our alternate location will be the Historic Paramount Theatre.

There are many sponsors to thank for this event, including the Rochester CVB for partnering with us, local attractions, and businesses for their support and donations, and to our excellent and willing CVB Board members who will be helping us cook and serve dinner.

Special thanks go to Austin Parks and Recreation staff for co-sponsoring this event with the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau, Jim Stiles and SuperFresh Produce, Todd Hepler and Hy-Vee, Nicole Behne and Hormel Foods Corporation, the Paramount Theatre staff, and Joel Nelson and Nelson Sound. Bruiser and Spammy will be part of the activity that evening, as well.

It’ll be a wonderful show and a great evening of entertainment and fun.

Contact our office at 437-4563 for full details and information related to times and tickets for all coming events. More events come to our attention everyday. Make sure to visit our website at www.austincvb.com for calendar of events listings.

Find us also at:

•visitor@austinmn.com

•https://www.facebook.com/pages/Austin-Convention-Visitors-Bureau/315110621875?ref=tn_tnmn

•https://twitter.com/#./visitaustinmn

•http://pinterest.com/visitaustinmn/

If you or your group, church, organization or attraction have something special planned, let us help you advertise it.

 Upcoming events

June 1-3: 9th Three Rivers Days antiques and flea Market at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

June 2: The Darren Dash Kiddie Run 5K half marathon at Lafayette Park.

June 4-6: The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at Sterling State Bank for blood donations, 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

June 10-14: Fourth Annual Gifted and Talented Symposium at Riverland Community College.

June 13: Austin Big Band’s Concert in the Park, Band Shell/Community Park, 7:30

June 17-23: Riverland Community College presents “The Sound of Music,” 7:30 p.m. performances, 2 p.m. on Sunday.

June 23: Summer Solstice Ecoblitz at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

June 23-24: MeadowFest Sesquicentennial Civil War Celebration, hosted by Mower County Historical Society.

June 28: The Hormel Institute hosting an open house.