Odaiko Sonora News: Fall 2006

From left: Odaiko Sonora members at the 2006 Southern AZ Taiko Showcase in May. Performing Ensemble members and track students in our former home at Ortspace. Enthusiastic crowd in one of many standing ovations at the August 26 Shidara concert. Shidara on the Berger Performing Arts Center stage, begins its successful first US Tour.

Where We’re Coming From

Hello, taiko fans,

As you know, it’s been an exceptionally event-filled summer. In addition to relocating to our temporary studio at ArtFare and working to secure a permanent home for the group, our group leaders, Karen and Rome, set off on their first tour with Jodaiko in early August. Jodaiko is the new incarnation of Sacramento Taiko Dan leader Tiffany Tamaribuchi’s all-women touring ensemble, and consists of top players from both the U.S. and Japan. The group played a sold out concert at the Round House Theater in Vancouver, BC, then joined Katari Taiko, Chibe Taiko and featured guest Mu Daiko at the Powell Street Festival, a 30 year-old celebration of Japanese heritage and culture.

Those of you who attended the incredible Shidara concert on August 26 can say you have seen some of the best taiko in the world. The wildly enthusiastic response of the Berger’s capacity crowd was repeated again and again as the group continued its first US Tour in Moab, Chico, Santa Rosa and Sacramento. Karen joined them after the Tucson show, serving as road manager and rep at the Western Arts Alliance (WAA) Presentor’s Conference. She returned on Sept. 12, tired but still amazed by the group’s energy and virtuosity. You’ll be happy to know that the response from some of the country’s major presentors at this year’s WAA conference was quite positive, and we have no doubt the group will be back soon. And next time, we’ll try to schedule two shows!

We apologize to those of you who waited, hoping for autographs from all group members after the show. Producers were mis-informed about the group being in the lobby after the show. Please understand that given Shidara’s demanding schedule and the next-day departure for Moab, most of the players were occupied packing and loading equipment into the truck. It’s hard to imagine immediately packing a huge truck after such an energetic performance, but that’s what they do. Karen will be securing signed copies of the program for those of you who wish to exchange the ones you purchased that night for an additional $15 (signed programs were sold for $25 after the Tucson show). Please email Karen directly at karen@tucsontaiko.org to arrange the exchange. All sales go towards financing this first, risk-taking tour.

Our New Home

We’re thrilled to say that as of September 19, Odaiko Sonora has a permanent home at 1013 S. Tyndall. This 5,000 sqft metal warehouse space includes a 1250 sqft rentable storage area, offices, bathroom, kitchen and ample storage for our stable of drums and equipment. Our next task is to construct the sprung wood floor, which will also serve as a dance floor for Funhouse Movement Theater and other performing and martial arts groups. Dubbed “Beatspace,” the building will be an anchor site adding to the budding creative life south of downtown.

Stay tuned for news of our annual taiko birthday party (delayed from its usual July date so that we could hold it in the new space, and for a grand opening in the winter. We’re compiling a Wish List of items to help us launch the space in style. Items included a stacked washer/dryer unit, high-quality 1/2” plywood, glass display cases, shelves, and folding chairs and tables. We’ve be post an ongoing wish list on our website, so we can cross off things as they arrive, and thank the donor. If you have items you’d like to donate, contact Karen. Your gifts are tax-deductible.

Upcoming Appearances

This weekend, Odaiko Sonora’s Performing Ensemble (PE) will play its first out-of-state gig. The Japanese-American Citizens League of Albuquerque, NM has invited us to their Aki Matsuri, or Fall Festival. New Mexico Taiko is one of the nation’s oldest taiko groups, and it is a great honor for us to attend and be able to share our songs with the community there.

Locally, you can catch Odaiko Sonora’s Community Group (including PE members and track students) at Tucson Meet Yourself. We’ll be on the courthouse stage Friday, Oct. 13 at 8:30pm. Don’t miss this chance to see the large group perform!
Please visit our website’s News & Performances page often for updates on upcoming performances.

Learn to Play

We have several new opportunities for people of all ages, sizes, and physical abilities. On Tuesday, Oct. 3 we will launch Generation-Taiko for ages 12 to young adult. There are still a few openings for this class, which runs 6pm-7:30pm and will be the first class in our new space! Also new is our Taiko for Life class, geared towards retired seniors, and another fabulous session of Taiko Power! for women. A link to our current list of classes is on the website’s Learn to Play, select the classes link page. Please contact Karen asap to register.

Happy Autumn and Arigatou gozaimashita!