Our Great Lakes Taiko Center (GLTC) Taiko Arts Collective is excited to team up with kaDON to host guest artist Kaoly Asano of GOCOO/TAWOO in Tokyo, Japan, for a two day visit to Ann Arbor, Michigan!
Link to view full schedule of Kaoly’s Visit on TUE 8/6 & WED 8/7.
GLTC Collective Care: We take care of each other in our practice & play!
- We encourage participants to wear a mask while indoors whenever possible (we have a free supply of kN95 masks) and to wear earplugs during group play for your hearing protection (also in our supplies).
- Please stay home if you’re not feeling well as taking care of yourself and everyone’s health is a priority over any GLTC activity (we may stream and/or record sessions to share with participants as needed).
Magic of Groove Taiko Workshop with Kaoly
Join kaDON instructor Kaoly Asano on Tuesday August 6th 2024 for her Magic of Groove Taiko Workshop (3-6pm EDT) followed by a Community Gathering (6~9pm EDT).
All phrases are born from repeated strikes. By adding dynamics and spaces to the strikes, they develop into phrases. Repetition is the soil from which all phrases are born, it should be soft, full of air, and able to take any form, like well-cultivated fertile soil. That is the secret of groove.
In this workshop Kaoly will focus on how to perceive and use the body. Participants will learn to be aware of their breathing, and how to be one with the flow of movement required to play with a strong pulse. Then Kaoly will guide participants in a process to immerse themselves in the sound and resonance of the groove they create together.
“We will share the same breath, the same heartbeat and learn to let go of artifice and judgment and enjoy how the sound naturally begins to pulse with life. This is the essence of what makes playing the taiko so enjoyable. It's a sensation you can carry with you when you return to your place and continue to play.” - Kaoly Asano
8/6 Taiko Workshop Details at a Glance:
DATE: Tuesday, August 6th, 2024
TIME: 3:00pm - 6:00pm EDT (see info below for our Community Gathering 6-9pm)
INSTRUCTOR: Kaoly Asano
LOCATION: Rudolf Steiner High School, 2230 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
COST: $50 (registration button below). NOTE: Workshop registration is free (donations welcome) for new and current GLTC Members*
Kaoly’s Magic of Groove Taiko Workshop is open to all (ages 12 and older) with no taiko experience needed. The only prerequisite is an open heart and open mind!
WHAT TO BRING: Water bottle and your own BACHI sticks (you may also borrow bachi or pre-order from kaDON)
*How to register (free of charge) for GLTC Members: Please confirm your participation in this TUE 8/6 Workshop with Kaoly Asano by connecting with your GLTC membership, class, or group coordinator.
kaDON Bachi Offer
After you have paid for registration, you may PRE-ORDER in stock items from kaDON.com SHOP for pickup on either day of Kaoly’s visit.
Offer valid through July 15, 2024
COUPON CODE (no delivery fee): GLTCKAOLY
EXCLUDED ITEMS: Byo, Taiko Care, Out of stock and made-to-order items
LINK to 3.11 special edition (hou) bachi to play taiko with LOVE PEACE HOPE
LINK to Lion Chant tapered (maple) bachi for shime/set play
TUE 8/6 GLTC Community Gathering
We invite participants from Kaoly’s Tuesday afternoon Taiko Workshop (and Wednesday all day Taiko Intensive) to join local community members in a restorative evening for us to center collective care and DRUM DANCE DREAM together!
DATE: Tuesday, August 6th, 2024
TIME: 6:00pm - 9:00pm EDT (come as you can, leave as you must)
HOST: Great Lakes Taiko Center (GLTC) members, family & friends
LOCATION: Rudolf Steiner High School, 2230 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
COST: FREE (We welcome donations to support GLTC community programs and events!)
Collective Care Invitations & Offerings:
share in a community potluck meal & appetizers
rest in community-created space with a healing sound bath
restore in a bodywork station session
visit nearby Community Food Forest and medicine garden
Let’s DRUM DANCE DREAM Together!
Taiko Sharing from GLTC Collective and kaDON Team
MI Bon Dancing for all to join
Open Mic & Taiko Jam in our community drum circle
Questions?
Please e-mail gltc@greatlakestaiko.org with any questions about Kaoly’s Visit.
About KAOLY ASANO
The first time Kaoly Asano saw taiko drumming, she felt a familiar sensation as if she was finally “home.” As the founder and lead drummer for GOCOO and its taiko school TAWOO Taiko Dojo, Kaoly has pioneered a free spirited approach that blends both tradition and innovation and appeals to a broad range of audiences. Her style of taiko is referred to as “tribal taiko” or “groove taiko” and builds its energy upon connections with those around us and our roots. With GOCOO, Kaoly has toured some of the biggest music festivals all over the world, such as the SZIGET Festival (Europe’s biggest music event), and has also been featured in the soundtracks of major motion pictures such as “The Matrix Reloaded.”
In 2019, Kaoly was the lead workshop instructor at the annual kaDON Retreat. The following year in February, she was a part of the star-studded cast of “HERbeat,” the first ever all-women taiko concert and production. She is featured in the award winning documentary film “Finding Her Beat” that followed the “HERbeat” collaboration and production. She is also featured in the pre-teen book “Music Mavens: 15 Women of Note in the Industry”. Kaoly believes that through taiko, one is able to move freely and fully express themselves and she continues to share this message everywhere she goes.