May 31, 2006

ZD's 7th Annual Taiko Festival

On Ensemble will be featured taiko Group at the June 24th concert.

Kathy Collin's alter ego "Tita" will be sharing her favorite Japanese stories.

Zenshin Daiko is having it's 7th Annual Taiko Festival concert at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater on June 24 at 7:00 pm. This year's concert will feature Kathy Collins as her alter ego, Tita. She is an award winning story teller and she will share her favorite Japanese folk tales in her own style. Zenshin Daiko will finish off the second half with the premier of two pieces written by student members. Kaily Tamaye, 15, wrote Yume, which means dream in Japanese. This song is about setting and reaching your goals. Okonomi was written by Christopher Hisamoto, 16. Okonomi means "as you like" and features Zenshin Daiko's shimedaiko players. Shimedaiko are the small, high pitched drums that help keep time over the roar of the bigger drums. Generally, the shimedaiko players are in the back row but this song will showcase their improvisational skills. Zenshin Daiko will also be performing some of their other favorite pieces and Omiyage - a piece written by Shoji Kameda of On Ensemble. After a short intermission, On Ensemble will take the stage and dazzle you with their innovative taiko playing. Based in Los Angeles, On Ensemble is made up of four of the best, young taiko players in North America. On Ensemble's core members, Masato Baba, Kristofer Bergstrom, Shoji Kameda, and Kelvin Underwood, have studied extensively with renowned masters of taiko in the United States and Japan. This traditional training provides a foundation for the group's contemporary explorations. With a repertoire incorporating Tuvan throat singing, turntable scratching, voice, and electronic instruments alongside Japanese flutes, shamisen (Japanese banjo), koto (17-string zither), and percussion, On Ensemble is at the forefront of contemporary taiko music. The group regularly partners with other artists, exploring the use of the taiko alongside other instruments like western drum-set and electric guitar. Tickets for reserved seating are available at the MACC box office, 242-SHOW, or visit mauiarts.org to buy online. Adults - $15, Children 12 & under $7.50. You can also visit zenshindaiko.org for more information.