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TAIKOPROJECT Brings RHYTHMIC RELATIONS 2013 to Ford Theatres Today

By: Jun. 29, 2013
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Crowd-pleasing taiko songs and Arabic-Japanese musical fusion converge to create a bass-pounding drum spectacular when TAIKOPROJECT brings Rhythmic Relations 2013 to the Ford Theatres today, June 29.

Since its founding in 2000, TAIKOPROJECT has been dazzling audiences with its unique contemporary blend of taiko with storytelling, music and choreography.Rhythmic Relations 2013, the group's sixth annual taiko extravaganza, comes with an innovative new twist: their first collaboration with top Middle Eastern percussionistAmir Sofi. Sofi's powerful instrument, known as the darbuka (goblet drum), complements TAIKOPROJECT's traditional taiko drums, koto (Japanese harp) and custom-made marimbas. The first half of the concert will feature drumming groupsBombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko, Loma Pacific Taiko and Tanuki Taiko in an exuberant program that includes more than sixty taiko drummers. In the second half, guest artist Sofi joins TAIKOPROJECT for new collaborative works blending taiko with the Arabic tabla and tambourine.

Sofi and TAIKOPROJECT managing director, Bryan Yamami first met three years ago while performing together with pop legend Stevie Wonder at the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee, and they have been looking for an opportunity to collaborate ever since.

"It's certain to be an unforgettable evening, taking taiko to its artistic limits and beyond," says Yamami.

Winner of the top award at the 4th Annual Tokyo International Taiko Contest, TAIKOPROJECT has performed around the world in such places as Hong Kong, Dubai, the U.K. and Mexico. TAIKOPROJECT has been featured in everything from commercials to television shows to awards shows, performing alongside such musical superstars as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Usher, John Legend and Justin Bieber. Most recently, they were featured in rock band 30 Seconds to Mars' viral music video, "Up in the Air," and were the recipients of major grant awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Japan Foundation.

Rhythmic Relations 2013 takes place on Saturday, June 29 at 8 pm. Reserved seating is $25 and $30; full-time students with ID pay only $15, and children ages 12 and under are $12. Purchase tickets by June 22 and save $5. Tickets are available at www.FordTheatres.org or 323 461-3673 (for non-visual media 323 GO 1-FORD). To learn about discounts for groups of 8 or more, call 323 769-2147.

The Ford Theatres are located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before showtime for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink. The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. On-site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle. FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area.

This event is part of the Ford Theatres 2013 Summer Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.

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