Do Ro Ka Ra Don Don Don
If you can say it, you can play it!
All of 2012
Sakura Sunday
April 15th, 2012, Philadelphia, PA
We couldn’t have picked a more beautiful day for a festival! The sun was out. It was warm. The spring flowers smelled so sweet. And there were SOOOO many people! We didn’t play today, but we got to enjoy our home’s Cherry Blossom Festival. There was great food, fantastic entertainment (featuring Tamagawa Taiko), and plenty of festivities. Picnics dotted the lawn of the horticultural center as we put up our feet and relaxed.... almost. We spent the day meeting new faces (and reconnecting with familiar ones... HI TIM!!!). If you saw us on Sakura Sunday, it was a pleasure to meet you and we hope to see you again soon!!!
We couldn’t have picked a more beautiful day for a festival! The sun was out. It was warm. The spring flowers smelled so sweet. And there were SOOOO many people! We didn’t play today, but we got to enjoy our home’s Cherry Blossom Festival. There was great food, fantastic entertainment (featuring Tamagawa Taiko), and plenty of festivities. Picnics dotted the lawn of the horticultural center as we put up our feet and relaxed.... almost. We spent the day meeting new faces (and reconnecting with familiar ones... HI TIM!!!). If you saw us on Sakura Sunday, it was a pleasure to meet you and we hope to see you again soon!!!
Morris Arboretum Cherry Blossom Festival
April 14th, 2012, Philadelphia, PA
So many Cherry Blossom Festivals, so little time! We are so lucky to be invited to so many! Today we celebrated the beautiful sakura blossoms at the beautiful Morris Arboretum! Who are those cuties in this tree???
So many Cherry Blossom Festivals, so little time! We are so lucky to be invited to so many! Today we celebrated the beautiful sakura blossoms at the beautiful Morris Arboretum! Who are those cuties in this tree???
Taiko Project Workshop
April 3rd, 2012, Philadelphia, PA
Many thanks to Maz and Jen from Taiko Project, for coming out and helping us build “our taiko vocabulary.” We learned exercises to give us more options for movement and learned how to build rhythms. We can’t wait to apply our new ideas to some improvised solos!
Many thanks to Maz and Jen from Taiko Project, for coming out and helping us build “our taiko vocabulary.” We learned exercises to give us more options for movement and learned how to build rhythms. We can’t wait to apply our new ideas to some improvised solos!
National Cherry Blossom Festival
March 31st, 2012, Washington, DC
After our morning at the Horticultural Center, we packed up the drums in the van and headed on down to our nation’s capitol! Unfortunately, the absurdly warm weather caused the blossoms to bloom early this year. But there were still some left to appreciate throughout the city. Once again, the sound of taiko drums chased away the cloudy sky just long enough for a fun filled performance, including the debut of our director, Kris’s, new arrangement of a piece taught to us by Kenny Endo! We were very excited to share our new favorite piece with everyone.
After our morning at the Horticultural Center, we packed up the drums in the van and headed on down to our nation’s capitol! Unfortunately, the absurdly warm weather caused the blossoms to bloom early this year. But there were still some left to appreciate throughout the city. Once again, the sound of taiko drums chased away the cloudy sky just long enough for a fun filled performance, including the debut of our director, Kris’s, new arrangement of a piece taught to us by Kenny Endo! We were very excited to share our new favorite piece with everyone.
Sakura Pavillion Grand Opening
March 31st, 2012, Philadelphia, PA
KyoDaiko chased the rain away on the chilly morning of the Sakura Pavilion Grand Opening in Fairmount Park. Onlookers had a chance to try the drums, including the littlest (and hands down cutest!) member of the audience - a little boy, all dressed up in his own little happi coat. The opening of the Sakura Pavilion is a huge moment in the history of the Shofuso Japanese House & Garden, so we were so excited to be able to be a part of it all.
KyoDaiko chased the rain away on the chilly morning of the Sakura Pavilion Grand Opening in Fairmount Park. Onlookers had a chance to try the drums, including the littlest (and hands down cutest!) member of the audience - a little boy, all dressed up in his own little happi coat. The opening of the Sakura Pavilion is a huge moment in the history of the Shofuso Japanese House & Garden, so we were so excited to be able to be a part of it all.
Kensington Crest Preschool Assembly
March 22nd, 2012, Philadelphia, PA
School assemblies are always fun, but they’re even better when you get feedback from the kids! This particular group of preschoolers drew us pictures and wrote us letters about what they liked about the taiko drums! Here are some of their comments:
- A drum with a shark with to play with it.
- My favorite part was the drums. the drums were awesome.
- My favorite part was when the teachers were dancing.
- My favorite part was the drummer. I want to give a flowers to her.
- They drummed "Boom Boom" and they had funny black super Ninja shoes. " Ha-ha" "Sore-sore" they danced.
- "Oh, they loud!" They play music.
- They help each other, they shout to each other and bend!
- They play because they are happy when they play.
School assemblies are always fun, but they’re even better when you get feedback from the kids! This particular group of preschoolers drew us pictures and wrote us letters about what they liked about the taiko drums! Here are some of their comments:
- A drum with a shark with to play with it.
- My favorite part was the drums. the drums were awesome.
- My favorite part was when the teachers were dancing.
- My favorite part was the drummer. I want to give a flowers to her.
- They drummed "Boom Boom" and they had funny black super Ninja shoes. " Ha-ha" "Sore-sore" they danced.
- "Oh, they loud!" They play music.
- They help each other, they shout to each other and bend!
- They play because they are happy when they play.
NBC Filming
February 17th, 2012, Philadelphia, PA
Kyo Daiko had a lot of fun filming for a segment on NBC’s The 10 Show! The topic of the segment was Alternate Forms of Fitness. They were exploring ways to get some exercise while having too much fun to realize how much of a work out you are getting. Sounds like taiko certainly fits the bill! Between the cardio and isometrics, you are building up strength and stamina, but having so much fun playing the music, that you don’t even realize how much work your body is putting into it! After the filming, Stacey Stauffer, the reporter, stayed for a bit and let director Kris Rudzinski teach her some taiko. Her and Kris jammed for a bit while Kyo Daiko members watched, clapped, and cheered her on!
To view the segment aired on Feb. 17th, click here!
Kyo Daiko had a lot of fun filming for a segment on NBC’s The 10 Show! The topic of the segment was Alternate Forms of Fitness. They were exploring ways to get some exercise while having too much fun to realize how much of a work out you are getting. Sounds like taiko certainly fits the bill! Between the cardio and isometrics, you are building up strength and stamina, but having so much fun playing the music, that you don’t even realize how much work your body is putting into it! After the filming, Stacey Stauffer, the reporter, stayed for a bit and let director Kris Rudzinski teach her some taiko. Her and Kris jammed for a bit while Kyo Daiko members watched, clapped, and cheered her on!
To view the segment aired on Feb. 17th, click here!
Plymouth Meeting Friends School
February 3rd, 2012, Plymouth Meeting, PA
Oni wa~ soto! Fuku wa~ uchi!
The young students at Plymouth Meeting Friends School have been learning about Asian cultures. They greeted us “Konnichiwa~” and showed us the origami Oni they made for Setsubun! Some students were mimicking our motions as we played through our pieces and they LOVED participating with Kiai! You could feel their voices echo in the auditorium.
Oni wa~ soto! Fuku wa~ uchi!
The young students at Plymouth Meeting Friends School have been learning about Asian cultures. They greeted us “Konnichiwa~” and showed us the origami Oni they made for Setsubun! Some students were mimicking our motions as we played through our pieces and they LOVED participating with Kiai! You could feel their voices echo in the auditorium.
Book Signing
January 31st, 2012, Villanova, PA
A surprising DON from the drum woke up the approximate 200 audience members at today’s book signing event. A few people in the front row ended up moving back a few rows! Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is Jamie Ford’s debut as an author. Playing taiko at this event helped bring to life the representation of Japanese Americans in the book. To learn more about Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, visit Jamie Ford’s website.
A surprising DON from the drum woke up the approximate 200 audience members at today’s book signing event. A few people in the front row ended up moving back a few rows! Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is Jamie Ford’s debut as an author. Playing taiko at this event helped bring to life the representation of Japanese Americans in the book. To learn more about Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, visit Jamie Ford’s website.
JAGP New Year's Party
January 8th, 2012, Philadelphia, PA
This year, at one of our favorite events of the year, we welcomed the Year of the Dragon! The usual events were in place for the entertainment including a chorale, our Lion Dancer friend, and a children’s choir. The food was fantastic as always. There was sake tasting, and even takoyaki tasting! Every time Kyo Daiko member, Audrey, went to taste the takoyaki, it was all eaten! So popular! But thanks to fellow taiko member, Kazumi, Audrey managed to finally savor the super tasty takoyaki!
This year, at one of our favorite events of the year, we welcomed the Year of the Dragon! The usual events were in place for the entertainment including a chorale, our Lion Dancer friend, and a children’s choir. The food was fantastic as always. There was sake tasting, and even takoyaki tasting! Every time Kyo Daiko member, Audrey, went to taste the takoyaki, it was all eaten! So popular! But thanks to fellow taiko member, Kazumi, Audrey managed to finally savor the super tasty takoyaki!
Kotoricon
January 7th, 2012, Sewell, NJ
Edward Elrich, Light Yagami, and Vash were among the many celebrities in attendance at today’s performance. That’s right, it’s another anime convention! We couldn’t resist the temptation to join in with the cosplay while guests celebrated modern japanese culture. There were screenings of recommended shows, light saber demonstrations, and of course a bustling market place filled with paraphernalia from fan’s favorite animes.
Edward Elrich, Light Yagami, and Vash were among the many celebrities in attendance at today’s performance. That’s right, it’s another anime convention! We couldn’t resist the temptation to join in with the cosplay while guests celebrated modern japanese culture. There were screenings of recommended shows, light saber demonstrations, and of course a bustling market place filled with paraphernalia from fan’s favorite animes.
JACL New Year's Party
January 7th, 2012, Moorestown, NJ
Members of the Japanese American Citizen’s League gathered at Moorestown Friends School to help ring in the new year. A lovely spread of delicious japanese cuisine was served as people participated in activities such as chinese auctions, live auctions, and a taiko workshop! The guests broke into three groups, and some learned how to drum, some learned a dance, and some learned to sing a song. Don’t worry... the singing wasn’t performed while the singers were still eating.
Members of the Japanese American Citizen’s League gathered at Moorestown Friends School to help ring in the new year. A lovely spread of delicious japanese cuisine was served as people participated in activities such as chinese auctions, live auctions, and a taiko workshop! The guests broke into three groups, and some learned how to drum, some learned a dance, and some learned to sing a song. Don’t worry... the singing wasn’t performed while the singers were still eating.
Mayor Nutter's Inaugural Ball
January 2nd, 2012, Philadelphia, PA
Taiko was among many art forms performing on this day to celebrate the re-inauguration of Philadelphia’s Mayor Nutter. Each performance was also representative of the many cultures that are flourishing here in our home city of Philadelphia. Even the atmosphere was spectacular both on and off the stage thanks to the fantastic decor and lighting!
Taiko was among many art forms performing on this day to celebrate the re-inauguration of Philadelphia’s Mayor Nutter. Each performance was also representative of the many cultures that are flourishing here in our home city of Philadelphia. Even the atmosphere was spectacular both on and off the stage thanks to the fantastic decor and lighting!