EDMONDS CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EDMONDS, WA :: Kristie is a drum freak. She enjoys listening to all kinds of drums: steel drums, congas, bongos, tom-toms, hi-hats, snares, bass drums, marching band drums, drum machines, and especially taiko drums; the bigger the better.
One of the most talented and innovative taiko groups,
TAIKOPROJECT, held a performance at the brand new
Edmonds Center for the Arts. Their two-hour set included a variety of different taiko styles, traditional and contemporary. Each song was introduced with a short narrative or lesson via one of the performers or a movie screen that descended from above the stage.
At times the show was funny, other times serious, and throughout the night energetic, entertaining and exhilarating. The carefully choreographed songs that emphasized the Japanese concept of "ma" (space or emptiness) were poetic and enchanting. Deep sounds punctuated with the "teek teek" sound of the "bachi" (drum sticks) striking each other took my thoughts to visions of Japanese gardens and contemplation. The faster music had the entire audience cheering along, and my mind was filled with images of large battlefields swarming with fearsome samurai armies. Hearing and feeling the thunderous beat of the immense "o-daiko" drum is a truly awesome experience!
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