Meet Japan without leaving Los Angeles San Jose Taiko to Present a Benefit Concert for the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center on November 9
San Jose Taiko (SJT) will perform in a special benefit concert for the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center on Friday, November 9, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at the at the Aratani /Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo, downtown Los Angeles
San Jose Taiko has mesmerized audiences and critics with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of the taiko drums for over three decades. Inspired by traditional Japanese drumming, company performers express the beauty and harmony of the human spirit through the voice of the taiko as they strive to create new dimensions in movement and music.
“This benefit concert is a way for San Jose Taiko to say ‘thank you’ to the JACCC and the many people who have supported the JACCC in the past and currently for all their work to help develop taiko here in the US and for standing behind the growth taiko in America,” said Roy Hirabayashi, San Jose Taiko executive director.
“San Jose Taiko wants to recognize the JACCC for all their leadership in nurturing, promoting and presenting taiko in the United States. The growth of American based taiko groups would not be where it is today without the efforts and support of the JACCC. Some of the best taiko groups in the world today started their early careers with performances at the Aratani/JAT. Ondekoza, Kodo and Eitetsu Hayashi are a few of the taiko legends that have inspired many taiko players here in America.”
“As one of the many examples of the work that the JACCC does for the taiko community, the North American Taiko Conference that is held biannually since 1997 started from the efforts of the staff at the JACCC. This year, the 6th North American Taiko Conference that was held in Seattle drew about 500 people from around the world. The JACCC presents The annual Taiko Gathering held during the Annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival and many presentations of community based and professional taiko groups from both here in America and Japan,” concluded Hirabayashi.
Artistic Director, PJ Hirabayashi stated, “the JACCC has been a leader in providing innovative and creative works such as a collaboration with Master taiko artist Kenny Endo and the internationally renowned percussionist Semba and the Southern California premiere of “Triangle Project: Journey of the Dandelion,” an international, multi-disciplinary collaboration, with which I was involved, that brought together three significant women artists: Yoko Fujimoto of KODO, Nobuko Miyamoto of Great Leap.”
Reserved seat tickets are $35 orchestra and $30 balcony, for JACCC members $30 and $27 and $33 and $28 for groups of ten or more, seniors and students. A special $20 for children 13 and under with adult purchase and student RUSH on the day of the show are also available.
To purchase tickets call the Aratani/Japan America Theatre box office at (213) 680-3700 from 12 noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information or to purchase tickets ONLINE visit the JACCC website at: www.jaccc.org or theatermania.com. Fax orders to (213) 680-1872 or send email inquiries to boxoffice@jaccc.org.
The Aratani/Japan America Theatre is located in the Little Tokyo district in downtown Los Angeles at 244 S. San Pedro St., Downtown. Convenient parking is available on Second Street.
This is a J-Town Beat event and is sponsored in part by J-Town Beat Sponsors, FIA Insurance Services, Inc.; Fukui Mortuary; Tokio Fire & Nichido Marine Insurance, Ltd.; Pacific Bridge Companies; The Rafu Shimpo, media sponsor and American Airlines.
JACCC program are made possible in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors through the County Arts Commission. Significant support is provided by American Airlines and the Rafu Shimpo, media sponsor.
SAN JOSE TAIKO
HISTORY AND TRADITION: San Jose Taiko was founded in 1973 by young Asian Americans searching for an artistic and musical outlet to convey their unique experiences as third generation Japanese Americans, or Sansei. Looking to Japan for inspiration, they selected the symbolic taiko or drum as their instrument of expression.
As a symbol, taiko holds much of the essence and spirit of Japan, replete with continued possibilities, renewal and transformation. Its origins were found in the daily life of the common people. Priests used taiko to dispel evil spirits and insects from the rice fields; Samurai used taiko to instill fear in the enemy and courage in themselves; and the peasants used taiko in their prayers for rain, in festivals, and in thanksgiving for bountiful harvests. The traditional practice and performance of taiko requires dedication, physical endurance, harmony and a collective spirit.
San Jose Taiko has taken this essence and voice of the traditional taiko and infused it with the vitality and freshness of their American spirit, creating a dynamic and compelling new Asian American art form. The artists use the power and beauty of taiko to transcend cultural barriers and foster a greater understanding of the Japanese American culture. Taiko is so deeply a part of the traditions of the Japanese and the Shinto and Buddhist religions that it is considered to be both the essence and the heartbeat of the Japanese spirit.
sanjosetaiko
What the Press Says About San Jose Taiko
SPELLBINDING
“San Jose Taiko turns Japanese taiko drumming into entrancing movement and dance.”
- San Jose Mercury News
POWERFUL
“... exciting drum-beating by San Jose Taiko...a superb, blood-racing exhibition of taiko drumming.” - San Francisco Chronicle
EMOTIONAL
“Dynamic and energetic...they really work your senses with flashes of color and sound.”
- Cincinnati International Festival
SAN JOSETAIKO performs as a large or small ensemble in different performance situations: full length indoor concerts, outdoor festival programs, master classes, workshops, extended residency programs, corporate events, and team building workshops. The company has performed in theatres, multicultural festivals, jazz festivals, and universities throughout the U.S., Canada, Italy, Performance Works, American Conservatory Theatre, Asian Jazz Orchestra, Ondekoza, and Kodo.
THE COMPANY creates a contemporary repertoire with the taiko, the Japanese drum. In addition to fusing Japanese, Latin, Brazilian, and African rhythms, the company enhances its performances with innovative choreography, lighting and stage design.
San Jose Taiko P.O. Box 26895 San Jose, CA 95159 www.taiko.org
Photography: Mel Higashi, Raymond Wong