INADANI Taiko Drumming Course is now accepting applications for June 2023.
This fun-filled weeklong taiko drumming course includes accommodation + breakfast at Misaka Ryokan (Japanese Inn) and tickets + transportation to the Saiwai Shimoina Wadaiko Festival.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join professional taiko group Tokara for the beginning of a taiko-filled summer in Japan.
Full Details and Registration Here
Registration for the following courses are now open!!
Yokomenuchi Style: Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of Yokomenuchi
(sideways-style of playing the taiko drum). Tokara's unique Yokomenuchi style focuses not only on how to hit, but continuous fluid movement for both upper and lower body.
While training in this style, participants will also be able to use these methods while learning parts of the piece "NatsuNokori"
with particular focus on the wide sweeping movements and left-hand originating rhythms of the "Main Course" sections.
Kazakoshi Taiko Weekly Class - Season 2: Start your journey through the wonderful world of taiko drumming with Japan-based taiko group - Tokara.
Starting in Season Two, we progress through drills and pieces both traditional and made by Tokara. All drills and pieces are accompanied by notation, and there are a variety of materials available to students of this class.
Progression follows the same course outlines as Art Lee's taiko classes in Iida City, Japan.
Joining at anytime is welcome (Season 2 without Season 1 is ok).
Participants to "Experience the Narita Taiko Festival" will join Japan-based professional group TOKARA to learn the opening ceremony piece in Iida City.
Then all participants will have a chance to perform with hundreds of other taiko performers in the opening ceremonies on both Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
The Narita Taiko Festival is the largest taiko festival in the world with close to 1,500 taiko performers, both professional and amateur, participating in the
opening ceremonies at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and group performances throughout the area of Omote Sando Street.
Over two days, audiences numbering over 200,000 spectators come together to watch the morning “Sengan Hana Daiko” ceremonies, the street concerts,
and the taiko parade as well as the curated Saturday evening concert. Click here for more details
Art Lee 30th Anniversary Tour begins in Iida City - February 12, 2023
The first concert of Art Lee's 30th Anniversary World Tour begins in the Iida Culture Theater on February 12, 2023.
Having been in isolation for nearly three years due to both liver transplant and covid restrictions, Art, joined by Tokara members, plan to
begin touring the world again from next year.
Tickets for the Iida Concert go on sale from December 20th. Click here for more details
Art Lee and TOKARA were featured in a documentary on NHK World starting May 29th.
See the full documentary online Here Art Lee was recently featured on NHK Broadcast in Nagano Prefecture.
The program is called "Kiwamebito" and features prominent residents from throughout the area.
Here is a link to the video, though it is all in Japanese.
For a transcript with pictures (to copy to a translation website), the log page is Here.
TOKARA 18th Anniversary Concert on April 10th!!
This concert, called Kansho holds two meanings: First, it will be TOKARA's 18th Anniversary concert, and along with our full cast of Stage and Matsuri members, we will also be joined
by Ensemble Liberta. We are looking forward to performing together after many years of not being able to share the same stage.
Second, the venue where we rehearse, the Iida Kouminkan Theater, will be closing it's current location and moving to a non-soundproofed location.
Unfortunately, this means that we will be without a rehearsal space until we can find someplace, but this concert and the TOKARA bootcamp are the last
such events that will be held at the current theater, and we are extremely appreciative of the staff and space over the many years that they have supported
TOKARA. So, there will be performance piece never-before performed with the theme of "appreciation".
More details to follow in the coming weeks.
