May 2021: Why We Drum #APAHM
Join us in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May 2021 as we remember Why We Drum…
The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) invites you to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month from home with online programs including music, dance, film, art talks, puppets and more. Professional and community cultural groups showcase a blend of traditional and contemporary artistry across several Asian cultures —including Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Mongolian, Taiwanese, Thai and Vietnamese— which promise engaging experiences filled with tradition. This program presented in partnership with Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures.
View the full program at https://www.dia.org/apahm2021, including our "Why We Drum だから太鼓を叩く" cultural presentation featuring Raion Taiko Drummers & Godaiko Drummers (21 minute video; link and description below) and our friends from the Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group in the “Find It…Every Dream” closing performance on SAT May 29th 12pm EDT.
#APAHM #WhyWeDrum #JapaneseTaikoDrumming #NorthAmericanTaiko #MidwestTaikoArts #MichiganTaiko #APAHM2021
Why We Drum だから太鼓を叩く | Great Lakes Taiko Center: Raion Taiko & Godaiko Drummers
[View on the DIA YouTube channel through end of May 2021]
Taiko drumming is rooted in Japanese music traditions and is the focus of a growing cultural movement in North America and around the world. The Great Lakes Taiko Center in SE Michigan has been sharing the joy of taiko through classes and performances since 2010. Enjoy this montage of newly released selections from our 9th annual showcase in 2019.
A live taiko performance is experienced with the whole body, mind, and soul. Hear the thunderous sounds of our largest “odaiko” drum resonating with your heartbeat. Discover the drive of underlying rhythmic beats coming from our smallest “shime daiko” drum. Watch the movements of the taiko players and their “bachi” sticks dancing in harmony with the soundscape of percussion and melody instruments on stage.
The Great Lakes Taiko Center is honored to share the art and spirit of Japanese Taiko drumming with you. This is Why We Drum!
We reimagine Why We Drum in the Splendor of the East 2021 "Love Conquers All" virtual event hosted by CAPA…
Now in its 20th year, the Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA) proudly presents its signature event with a YouTube premiere on SAT May 22nd 2021 at 7-8pm EDT. CAPA’s much anticipated annual cultural showcase will bring together the music, art and talent of Michigan’s Asian Pacific American community and rich cultural heritage and will be a spectacular homage to conquering the difficulties of this past year and a celebration of love shining through to bring hopes of a brighter future!
CAPA Splendor of the East 2021 - Love Conquers All: “Love is Empowering” / Japanese Drums > This is Why We Drum #TaikoLove [segment starts at 45:29]
This is Why We Drum #TaikoLove [submitted to capa for #SOE2021]
In this 2021 remix of our 2019 collaboration with spoken word artist Mike Ellison, we reimagine a new world together by drawing on the power of Taiko Love from the heartbeat of our community to encourage the superpowers of song in each of us... This is Why We Drum!
PERFORMERS: Raion Taiko drummers Brian Sole ("Why We Drum" song composer) with Ash Brown, Eileen Ho, and Tomo Terakado, perform after an excerpt of GLTC Community members drumming with special guest MIKE ELLISON ("Why We Drum" spoken word artist).
RAION TAIKO: "Raion" Taiko performers share the "sound of thunder" and the rhythm of rain in storied soundscapes of Japanese taiko drumming from the Great Lakes Taiko Center (GLTC) in Southeast Michigan. During stormy times in life, we find that our collective love of taiko empowers us to be superheroes in our own stories as we are uplifted by the strength of our community. https://michigantaiko.net/performances
ORIGINAL WHY WE DRUM 2019: The full original version of “Why We Drum” premiered as the opener for the GLTC 9th Annual Showcase in June 2019. View the full performance of our Why We Drum collaborative piece with the spoken word + taiko song + interview (11 minute video) at https://youtu.be/U_NJd3nYbHc.