Photos by Rich Iwasaki.
PULLMAN, Wash. – Dynamic rhythm, ethereal melody, spoken word and stunning choreography will entwine in a visceral, visual, musical journey – “The Way Home” as Portland Taiko performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Washington State University’s Jones Theatre in Daggy Hall. The concert by the award-winning Asian American drum ensemble is presented by WSU Performing Arts.
Taiko, the Japanese word for drum and the name of the art form, has its roots in ancient Japanese theater and ritual. It dates back to when village boundaries were defined by the distance that drums could be heard.
American taiko was born in the late 1960s and has become a powerful voice in the struggle for redress of the WWII Japanese American internment.
Free admission for WSU students is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and the Visual, Performing and Literary Arts Committee. WSU students with valid ID may pick up tickets in advance at the WSU Beasley Coliseum box office or the Daggy Hall box office beginning at 5:30 p.m. on April 20.
Adult tickets cost $20 reserved seating, $15 for seniors, $10 for youth and students. They can be purchased online at http://TicketsWest.com, by phone at 800-325-7328 or at any TicketsWest outlet, including the Beasley Coliseum box office, open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Group rates are available.
Portland Taiko combines the power of the drum, the subtlety of the bamboo flute, storytelling and folk dance-inspired choreography with extraordinary musicianship, athletic precision, grace, humor and energy that rivals Cirque du Soleil.
In “The Way Home,” four performers weave together theatrical elements to evoke the emotions and experiences of those who have persevered to find home.
Widely recognized as a leading group in the North American taiko community, Portland Taiko, which was founded in 1994, has released the DVD “Taiko Kinesis” and CDs “Making Waves,” “Big Bang” and “Rhythms of Change.”
Portland Taiko’s mission is to affirm Asian American pride, build community and educate about culture and heritage through innovation and artistic excellence in taiko. The ensemble performs across America year-round at festivals, schools, theaters, colleges and universities.
For more information, visit http://performingarts.wsu.edu or call 509-335-8522.
What others are saying:
“Dance with their drums, even the ones that seem to dwarf drummers, and that dance makes you know in your heart how drummers heal our souls and renew our spirit.” – Norman Weinstein, The Beat
“From the first drumming, through hilarious Japanese folk tale, to the sensitive discussions with each company member on empowerment and prejudice, Portland Taiko sets a new paradigm for meaningful art experiences.” – Leslie Lacktman, VanWezel Performing Arts Hall
“Portland Taiko is emerging as an innovator in taiko music.” – Bob Edwards, National Public Radio
“The moment the performers set foot on the stage, it was clear that we were about to witness something powerful. We lived their music with them as they made us laugh, dance, clap and cheer.” – Beth Norris, The Western News
“Their performance at times felt more like a Broadway show, demonstrating that the taiko, which crossed the Pacific to the U.S. over four decades ago, has transformed into something that can truly be called American taiko.” – Brandon Jiro Hayashi, The Hawai’i Herald
“Only a curmudgeon or a corpse could watch Portland Taiko and remain unmoved.” – Cerinda Survant, The Oregonian