Of nearly 2,500 groups to perform in Edinburgh in August 2011...ONLY ONE hails from Japan beating thunderous taiko drums in powerful unison.
Internationally renowned taiko drumming group, ʻWadaiko Tokaraʼ from Japan explodes onto the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with their new collaboration concert called “Tenchi Shinmei” at St. Johnʼs Church Venue 127 from August 5 - 29, 2011.
What does it take to become a professional taiko performer? Artistic Director Art Lee explains the type of training taken on by performers as a prerequisite to performing on the stage. “Daily routines usually require us to run 10 kilometers, do 200 sit-ups, 200 push-ups, and other exercises before breakfast; clean the office and practice drumming for three hours before lunch. Then practice pounding on big drums with big, wooden sticks for another three hours before dinner”.
The group tours internationally four to five times each year to audiences in their native Japan, as well as throughout the United States, Canada, Taiwan, and India. Tour highlights include a two week run Off Broadway in New York, the 2005 Japan Expo, the Taipei City 150th Anniversary, and the Asano Taiko 400th Anniversary.
Leader and Artistic Director, Art Lee, is renowned as one of the leading taiko artists of our generation. Art Lee is the first and still the only person in the world to be awarded an unsponsored artist visa by the Japanese government to live in Japan as a professional taiko performer, teacher and composer. He is also the only non-Japanese person in history to ever win Odaiko Grand Champion at the most renowned taiko competition in the world - the Tokyo International Taiko Competition.
For the first time outside of Japan, traditional Japanese Flute and Zither Group, Ensemble Rivelta join Tokara onstage for the full presentation subtitled “The Mountain”. Ensemble Rivelta will perform their own show subtitled “The Ocean” and will be joined by taiko drummer, Art Lee.
Details:
Full Title: “TENCHI SHINMEI”
Subtitle #1: “The Ocean”: August 5 - 23, 2011 --- 2:00 to 3:00p.m. (no performance on 7, 20 and thursdays).
Subtitle #2: “The Mountain”: August 5 - 29, 2011 --- 8:00 to 9:00p.m. (no performance on 7, 20, 28 and thursdays).
Venue: St. Johnʼs Church Venue 127 - Edinburgh, Scotland Tickets: £12 (£10)
Ticket Details: http://www.tokara.net/tenchishinmei/edinburgh-en.html Tokara Website: http://www.tokara.net/
Quote from previous performances:
They communicated such joy that I was absolutely enchanted...I felt pure primal joy as the beat reverberated through my body... - NipponDaze
