Victoria Theatre Presents San Jose Taiko Drummers, 4/24

Victoria Theatre Association, in partnership with the Dayton Asian American Council, presents SAN JOSE TAIKO, performing at the Victoria Theatre on April 24, 2010 at 8pm.

For the past 35 years, San Jose Taiko has been mesmerizing audiences and critics alike with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of taiko, the Japanese drum. Inspired by traditional Japanese drumming, company performers express the beauty and harmony of the human spirit through the voice of the taiko as they strive to create new dimensions in music and movement.

Under the artistic direction of founder Roy Hirabayashi and musical director PJ Hirabayashi, San Jose Taiko has achieved excellence in music and performance for over three decades. Composing, choreographing, designing and creating costumes, and handcrafting drums are also part of the holistic process in which all members participate. Many of the performance compositions are written or arranged by company members.

In 1987, San Jose Taiko became the first American taiko troupe ever invited to tour Japan. Since then, San Jose Taiko has become a world-class ensemble, performing extensively both nationally and internationally, reaching more than 100,000 audience members each year.

The San Jose Taiko style joins the traditional rhythms of Japanese drumming with the beat of the world rhythms, including African, Balinese, Brazilian, Latin, and jazz percussion. The sound is contemporary, exciting, new and innovative, bridging many styles while still resonant of the Asian soul in America. On top of its offering of unique music, San Jose Taiko performances are also fully choreographed, which makes for a brilliant combination that will leave you wanting more.

Don't miss this spellbinding performance that will have you mesmerized by movement and music; it is a show that truly speaks to the human spirit.

The Beat of a Different Drum
While in Dayton, San Jose Taiko will perform as part of the Physicians For Kids Discovery Series April 23, 2010. After the show, the performers will host a Master Class on taiko drumming for over 100 students from Coldwater Middle School on the James H. McGee Pavillion (corner of Second and Main Streets). Called The Beat of a Different Drum, the workshop will give participating students the opportunity to learn all about the unique art form of Japanese drumming as well as expose them to different instruments and rhythms. The general public is welcome to observe the workshop, which will run from 1 -2 PM.

For tickets to San Jose Taiko April 24 at 8 pm at the Victoria Theatre, call Ticket Center Stage at 937/228-3630 or 888/228-3630, order online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or visit the Box Office located in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton.

This presentation of San Jose Taiko is made possible by Entrepreneur Sponsorship Circle Sponsor Dayton City Paper and in partnership with the Dayton Asian American Council.

For more information about Victoria Theatre Association's entire 2009-2010 season or for our upcoming 2010-2011 season, visit www.victoriatheatre.com.

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