Topham to Tohoku – Rainbow of Hope
A concert in support of Tohoku Rainbow House and 2011 tsunami orphans

Featuring Sansho Daiko, Vancouver Okinawa Taiko & Topham Tora Taiko

Saturday May 23 7:00pm
Topham Elementary School
21555  91st Avenue, Langley, BC

$10 adults $8 students/seniors

Tickets and other info: tophamtorataiko.weebly.com

The First Annual Gulf Islands Taiko Camp will take place June 19 and 20 on Galiano Island at the beautiful Eagles Nest Retreat. Led by master musician/ percussionist/ taiko player Eien Hunter-Ishikawa, the Taiko Camp workshops will consist of three 2 & 1/2 hour workshops in fue, shime-daiko and atarigane. Whether you’re a relative newcomer to taiko or an experienced performer Eien will help you take your skills to the next level. Affordably priced at $375 US or $450 CDN, which includes two nights accommodation,* continental breakfast+ and dinner Friday night and Saturday night, this is your opportunity for intimate study with Eien Hunter-Ishikawa.  To learn more about Eien, visit his website: www.eienhunterishikawa.com.

Situated above Active Pass, Eagles’ Nest Retreat visitors are treated not only to some of the most spectacular scenery in BC but daily sightings of eagles and, frequently, killer whales. Amenities include outdoor hot tub, wood-fired sauna, internet and easy access to hiking trails. Depending on numbers, camping may also be available. For photos, visit www.perfectretreat.com.

Early bird rates of $350 US or $415 CDN are available until April 25, 2015.

For more information or to register contact Jacob Derksen at bctaikocamp@gmail.com.

*Based on double occupancy.

The North American Taiko Conference (NATC) is a biennial event sponsored by the Taiko Community Alliance (TCA). Started in 1997, the conference was first held in Los Angeles, hosted by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, with the mission of supporting the growth of taiko in North America. The conference has become an essential element of the taiko community, with workshops and discussion sessions for players of all levels. NATC also features public performances featuring a wide variety of taiko groups. The conference is attended by virtually all of the taiko community’s leaders, along with hundreds of players from around the world.

The conference has alternated between Los Angeles Japantown and other West Coast locations. The conference has been held at Sacramento State University, the University of Washington, and Stanford University.

The 2015 conference will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).

NATC Goals
• Build a community of taiko groups in North America
• Share traditions and repertoire
• Support the artistic development of the art-form
• Document North American taiko history

NATC Conference Coordinator: Elise Fujimoto (elise@taikocommunityalliance.org)

CLICK for more info

Welcome to our new, refreshed website. It’s a fresh coat of paint, really, but we hope you enjoy browsing the content. You’ll find Vancouver -area taiko news along with links to upcoming shows and workshops. If you want to stay current with what’s going on in the local taiko scene please sign up on the right for notifications about new posts. You can also find links to all nine local groups along with a directory of regional taiko groups. Thanks for visiting!

KODO One Earth Tour
Mystery
Thursday January 29, 2015, 8:00pm
Queen Elizabeth Theatre 650 Hamilton Street

Tickets $69 / $59 / $49
NorthernTickets.com  604-569-1144 or 1-855-551-9747
918 Granville Street
INFO: www.kodo.or.jp / 604.683.8240

Kodo returns to Vancouver with their groundbreaking new production, Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery, a performance that will take you on a voyage to the extraordinary, to a mystical realm of ancient creatures, legends and powerful taiko music. Directed by famed kabuki artist and artistic director Tamasaburo Bando, Mystery promises to inspire both diehard fans and the uninitiated with Kodo’s heart throbbing beauty and energy.

Sponsored by Caravan World Rhythms, Powell Street Festival & Banyen Books

Come visit our new site!

Saturday, December 6
Doors 7pm / Show 7:30pm
Vancouver Playhouse
600 Hamilton St. @ Dunsmuir
Tickets $25 regular & $15 students/seniors. General Admission. Available online at www.brownpapertickets.com

Katari Taiko, the first taiko group formed in Canada, is a constantly changing and intensely creative hybrid of Japanese and Canadian music. In celebration of its      35th Anniversary, Katari Taiko is presenting a special concert featuring its own contemporary and traditional music and that of guests, Chibi Taiko, Sansho Daiko, Sawagi Taiko and Vancouver Okinawa Taiko. All of the groups will join Katari Taiko in the premiere of a brand new collaborative work inspired by the return of the wild salmon to the Fraser River.

Katari Taiko has the distinction of being the first taiko drum group founded in Canada.  The group has developed a large and enthusiastic following since its inception in 1979, performing throughout Canada and the US, appearing in numerous festival and theatre settings.

Katari Taiko has built an extensive repertoire of both traditional and modern pieces, including original compositions. Their performances incorporate vocals, poetry and theatre. The synergy of the group, their joy and passion, together with the visceral experience of the drumming appeals to audiences of all ages and transcends cultural barriers.

Taiko music is rooted in the history of rural farming and fishing communities throughout Japan. Katari Taiko combines the traditional rhythms and discipline of the drums with the power of choreographed and improvisational movement.  Over the past three and a half decades, Katari Taiko has undergone many changes, but has always remained committed to bringing Japanese and Japanese-Canadian culture to the broader community; supporting grassroots initiatives and progressive causes; and balancing tradition with innovation.

Monday April 7th and April 14th, 2014
7:00pm to 10:00pm

$55/person ($40 for the underemployed/students)
Open to everyone over 16 years. A maximum of 15 spots are available.
This is a two-evening workshop, and cannot be registered for separately.
Registration confirmed upon receipt of payment.

This two-evening workshop will cover taiko basics (rhythm & taiko technique).
You will leave at the end of both workshops with the satisfaction of having learnt and performed an arrangement of a taiko song.
Pease bring water and a snack (there will be a 10-minute snack break).
Athletic attire and non-marking, soft-soled shoes are required.

For more information and/or to register, please contact
Jeanie at sawagitaiko@gmail.com

ONE DAY WORKSHOP: Sunday, February 2, 2014
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Learn about taiko history, notation, and basic rhythms at this one-day, hands-on workshop. At the end of the workshop, participants will have learned a taiko piece. No previous experience is necessary.

Venue: Taiko Space, Vancouver
Fee: $75 general or $50 for students/ seniors/ unemployed. Participants must be a minimum of 16 years of age.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing, and bring a lunch. Bring soft-soled indoor athletic footwear, or be prepared to go barefoot – street shoes cannot be worn inside the taiko space. Water and juice will be provided.

Please call 604-683-8240 before sending the registration form and payment

Registration Form

The Taiko Community Alliance (TCA) is an organization formed in early 2013 to serve as a resource for the taiko community by the North American Taiko Conference (NATC) Advisory Council. The NATC has served to bring together taiko artists, instructors, and enthusiasts since its first conference in 1997. The TCA launch meeting took place at Stanford University on August 23 – 25, 2013. Its core values and guiding principles include respect, heritage & evolution, empowerment, inclusivity, and transparency. taikocommunityalliance.org

Membership Page