Thursday, April 3
Japanese Taiko Drummers
Shidara
LAXSON AUDITORIUM | 7:30 p.m.$23 Premium | $18 Adult
$16 Senior | $14 Student/Child
"Shidara has a fresh perspective, unique spirit, high caliber musicianship, and a crazed physical ability that is truly astounding." — Tiffany Tamaribuchi, 2002 Odaiko champion of Japan
A feast for the eyes as well as the ears, Shidara is an expert group of taiko drummers, dancers, and musicians dedicated to preserving the spectacular folk traditions of ancient Japan. With a plethora of drums, pipes, and stunning costumes, Shidara combines heart-pounding rhythms with theatrical flair for an evening of highly charged entertainment. With unique costumes, agile moves choreographed to the drum beats, and sound that will make your adrenaline pump, Shidara returns to Laxson for the second time in two years by popular demand.
The Shidara ensemble explodes with masterful drumming and intricate stick work then ushers the audience softly away with soulful harmonies of shinobue bamboo flutes — creating a performances that resonates in the minds and hearts of the audience long after the last beat is played.
Blending top-notch skill, blinding energy and breakneck speed, their performances carry a deeper spiritual purpose rooted in ancient times. Defying time and place, their music captures earthy tones of long ago, and thunders with new images of Japanese mountain life.
Shidara's performers and performances are deeply entwined in the life and townspeople of their remote mountain village in Japan. People in this region of Japan have a spirit of coexistence with nature, a practical wisdom born of day to day living, an important understanding of life often forgotten by modern society. In their own words, Shidara's performers echo this philosophy: "Through our performance we hope to bring people together, joining hands in reciprocal support while walking an essential path of mutual encouragement. This is much as was done at ancient festivals, where circles of human harmony were created, born of a spirit of gratitude to the earth and natural world." Shidara has committed to preserving the ancient festivals in their region. Their performances include a rendition of The Hana Matsuri Festival, a 700-year-old harvest ritual deemed Japanese National Folk Property.
Sweeping the Tokyo Taiko Championships in 2002, enjoying the stage with Grammy and Golden Award Winner Kitaro in 2003, Shidara tours regularly throughout Japan and Korea, with acclaimed appearances in Norway, Sweden, the United States, Martinique, and Taipei.
Thunderous standing ovations at U.S. debut appearances, and ensuing popular demand from North American audiences caused the commencement of Shidara's North American tours in 2006.
If you enjoy this performance, you might also enjoy:
Miss Nelson is Missing
Peking Acrobats
Shaolin Warriors
Seussical, Jr.
Tomáseen Foley's A Celtic Christmas
Cinderella
Keeping Dance Alive
Global Drum Project