Odaiko Sonora News: Winter 2007
From left: Odaiko Sonora performs at the Albuquerque JACL Aki Matsuri; OS Community Group and Performing Ensemble members work on their odaiko form at our new studio; Kids from DeGrazia Elementary perform as the culmination of a five-week taiko residency by OS Performing Ensemble members.
Happy New Year...
... from your friendly neighborhood taiko group! As we reflect on 2006, we see it was a banner year for Odaiko Sonora! We moved out of Ortspace, we restructured the group extensively, bought a 5,000 sq ft warehouse… but wait, I’m jumping ahead. Let’s start at the very beginning!
Fast start, fast growth
We kicked off 2006 with a performance at the Children’s Museum’s Japanese New Year Celebration. This show started a record-breaking spring schedule that had us playing at least once a week from Jan. 1 until the end of March! Spring brought more surprises as several senior students left the group. This gave us the opportunity to re-examine how the group is structured, take stock of our resources and assess our goals. The process led to the creation of a series of new classes and a tiered membership system that includes a solid, ongoing Community Group and a training track for those who want to become Performing Members. We’re grateful to Nancy and Sonya for their stellar work as leaders of the Odaiko Sonora Community Group and for fostering the wonderful energy that exists there. Please mark January 14, 3pm in your calendars so you can catch the group in action at the Family Arts Festival, a fun, free event in the heart of downtown Tucson.
Old and new programming for our community
Our 2nd Southern AZ Taiko Showcase took place in May, with guest star Mu Daiko. We performed several original songs, including one written and performed by Karen and our first taiko sensei, Stan Morgan. The nearly sold-out crowd in the Leo Rich Theater roared with enthusiasm when 22 players from all participating groups joined in the finale. Our first Kids’ Ticketing Program made blocks of tickets available to youth from the Tohono O’odham Nation, near-homeless single moms from the CommonUnity Program, and runaway and homeless youth from the Reunion House Shelter. It was an amazing night for all of us!
A space of one’s own (and for others)
We were brought crashing back to earth just a few days later, when we got the sad news that OTO dance was losing the Ortspace warehouse studio we’d called home since our founding in 2002. A frenzied search found us a wonderful temporary summer home at ArtFare, where we practiced while looking for permanent digs. We found them in a brand new warehouse at 1013 S. Tyndall. Several Odaiko Sonora members and friends formed an LLC to purchase the warehouse. It now provides a secure home for Odaiko Sonora and other large, loud art groups, including Batucaxe, choreographer Thom Lewis and Funhouse Movement Theater. We’re thrilled to have our own space and to be able to support other artists in their work.
Holding to the mission: performance, instruction, building community...
Fall saw a resounding Community Group performance at Tucson Meet Yourself, and the premiere of another original song. New Mexico Taiko, one of the oldest groups in the U.S., invited us to perform at the 30th Anniversary of Albuquerque’s Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival), marking the first time Odaiko Sonora performed out-of-state. We completed our first school residency in December, providing DeGrazia Elementary students with 5 weeks of taiko classes. We closed the residency with the kids performing an original musical play, giving all 200 of them a chance to show off their new taiko skills to family and friends.
Fostering organizational and artistic excellence
The year also included a highly successful grant season, fabulous new members on our Board of Directors, great media exposure including a piece on Arizona Illustrated, the sold out Shidara concert, hiring our first full-time staff person, a whole slate of new classes, and many, many other milestones. Leaders of the group have networked internationally, nationally and locally to ensure that Odaiko Sonora brings you the best possible taiko performances and programs, and support the region’s creative community and residents.
You make the difference!
Yes, 2006 was a huge year for Odaiko Sonora, and none of it would have been possible without the support of people like you. We ask you to take a moment to pledge ongoing support of Odaiko Sonora programs by:
- going clicking
- calling or emailing Karen to arrange your donation in person
- sending a check payable to Odaiko Sonora, 5732 E. 2nd St, Tucson, AZ 85711
Your contribution is tax-deductible! From our taiko family to you, the deepest thanks for your support and belief in our taiko dream. We can’t wait to see what 2007 has in store for all of us!
Arigato gozaimashita!