TAO: Drum Heart is the latest production from TAO, internationally acclaimed percussion artists, directed and produced by Franco Drao with costumes designed by Junko Koshino. TAO's modern, high-energy performances, showcasing the ancient art of Japanese drumming, have transfixed audiences worldwide. Combining highly physical, large-scale drumming with contemporary costumes, precise choreography and innovative visuals, TAO: Drum Heart will perform at The Broad Stage on Saturday, April 28 at 4:00pm and 7:30pm.
Performing for more than seven million people across the globe, TAO: Drum Heart is hailed as the greatest of all Japanese drum productions. TAO, who recently gave an electrifying performance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," currently tours more than 400 cities worldwide with their inventive take on taiko an ancient Japanese form of percussion.In taiko, the drums range in size from roughly a snare drum ("shime"), to drums as large as a car (the "o-daiko"). The most common drum size in taiko is the "chu-daiko" which is the size of a wine barrel. One of taiko's most defining aspects is its dynamic playing style. Taiko playing is loud, hard, and fast, and involves a lot of choreographed movement, which many identify with Japanese martial arts. There are currently more than 8,000 taiko groups in Japan.The Broad Stage, beginning its landmark 10th season, offers theatre, dance, film, opera, jazz, world music, musicals, symphony and chamber orchestras, family programming and more. Each genre features superlative talent from every generation and around the globe. No other performing arts center west of the 405 can boast such consistently stellar lineups of performers, including André Watts, Anna Netrebko, Sir James Galway, Sutton Foster, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Patti LuPone, Aaron Neville, Lee Ritenou, Dave Grusin, Joshua Redman, Lil Buck, Bobby McFerrin, Helen Hunt, Academy of St Martin in the Fields and many others.
In addition to The Broad Stage, The Edye, our 100-seat black box theater, presents new, developing and innovative work in theatre, music and dance as part of our Under the Radar Series, as well as offerings from our other genres. Featuring younger, emerging artists, chamber pieces and plays, programming at The Edye reflects the dynamic nature of the space and allows for the latest, most exciting artists to be booked on short notice. The Broad Stage's Education and Community Programs offer opportunities for cultural exposure through various student events, currently reaching more than 20,000 children, parents, educators and community members every year.
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