Odaiko Sonora Spring '08
From left: Odaiko Sonora at the Phoenix Matsuri; Gerry and Kate at Johrei Center, where we recently helped dedicate the taiko built by our sensei Stan Morgan and Tony Trapasso; students at St. Gregory’s take part in a Mindfulness Week taiko program; KODO member Yoko Fujimoto sensei brings her talents to Tucson on March 22
Tucson is taiko-friendly
In 2005, respected ethnomusicologist Dr. Paul Yoon declared Tucson “... a ‘taiko-friendly’ zone.”* This statement was based on his research of isolated areas—far from urban centers and large Asian populations—where the art of Japansese ensemble drumming has unexpectedly taken root and thrived. His statement referred specifically to Odaiko Sonora, and our group’s work in increasing community knowledge of taiko, promoting the work of internationally renowned taiko artists, and in establishing a regionally significant presence as a heritage based performing arts and educational agency.
Dr. Yoon’s statement rings true today, as we complete a week consisting of residency activities with over seventy 7th graders, and concerts at Laguna, Drexel and Van Buskirk Elementary schools. This is on top of our performers’ fulltime jobs, and only accomplished through great dedication and great support by our donors, governmental, corporate and individual. Odaiko Sonora thanks you, and over 900 kids thank you for helping us be there for them this past week!
Esteemed Guests
We’re thrilled to be on the international taiko map so we can bring the community such world class artists as Yoko Fujimoto to Tucson.
Born in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Yoko sensei joined KODO (then Ondekoza) in 1976. Since 1989, she has been one of the three members of Hanayui, a women's musical and dance ensemble associated with KODO. Of her special interest—the voice—she says:
"There are many ‘hearts’ within each of us, and each one holds a different voice. The day I realized that my voice didn’t have to be high or loud or large was the day I began to sing in my own way, and was the beginning of a new path towards personal freedom of expression.
She designed the Voice Circle workshop to share this joy with as many people as possible, and Odaiko Sonora is honored to present it to the Tucson community on Saturday, March 22, from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Location is the Odaiko Sonora SPACE, 1013 S. Tyndall. Registration is $40. Email karen@tucsontaiko.org to reserve a place. This workshop is for anyone--and everyone--to discover the power of their own voice.
Learn to Play
Our Thursday night kids’ and youth classes have been a hit, and sadly, our first 5-week unit is nearly done! We’re happy to announce that funding now exists, through the generosity of Ward V and VI educational programming, to continue the Taiko ‘tweens sessions (ages 8-12) through July 31. Nicole Levesque, our resident movement specialist, has made this class everything taiko can be for young taiko players: fun, disciplined, enriching, team-oriented and—did I mention?— fun!
Email karen@tucsontaiko.org to enroll your child now! If you have a Teen who is interested in taiko, let us know! Once we have three kids enrolled, we’ll run the class!
Muy taiko friendly
Odaiko Sonora loves and believes in taiko’s power to uplift and inspire so much that we are sacrificing our co-director for five weeks to support the 2008 SHIDARA tour. Karen leaves for L.A. on March 25. Please join her via her blog where she’ll detail the ups and downs of coordinating this tour by the world’s finest new taiko artists. Shows in Cerritos and Santa Clarita are already sold out, and we fully expect that concerts thereafter will also be at capacity.
In other words, buy your tickets NOW for the Sunday, April 20 show at Tucson’s gorgeous Fox Theatre. We’re producing this event with our friends at Rhythm and Roots, and fully expect to fill the house. Natch, we want you, our friends and supporters, to be there, so please buy your tickets ASAP through the Fox Tucson Theater box office.
Karen has a challenge out: if you don’t agree, after seeing this group perform in the Fox, that you have witnessed one of the top five events Tucson has hosted in the last 20 years, she will give you a free taiko training session!
Arigatou gozaimasu!
* quote is from Dr. Paul Yoon, “Development and Support of an American Taiko Community,” 2005