8.30.03
Bryan records a few taiko tracks with Derek Nakamoto for a collaborative song with Native American flutist Elk Whistle, to release at the upcoming "Evening of World Music" at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in November.
8.25 - 26.03
The "(re)generation" creative team grows to include our Fall, 2003 tour Stage Manager Tomoko Umebara, Production Assistant Gary San Angel, Lighting Designer Gerry Linsangan, and CD/DVD Producer Derek Nakamoto.
8.25.03
TAIKOPROJECT is coming to a town near you! (well, if you live on the West Coast, that is). Click here to get info on tour dates to Arizona, Northern California, and Seattle!
8.24.03
Bryan and Yuta conduct a hip hop taiko workshop for the visiting Asian American theatre company, the Silk Mangos from Austin, Texas, and the hereandnow theatre company.
8.24.03
The official word is in--see below for a few of the participant comments from TAIKOPROJECT performers' workshops at the 2003 North American Taiko Conference:
Hip Hop Taiko facilitated by Bryan Yamami and Yuta Kato
"The workshop was really cutting edge and awesome. Bryan and Yuta were really enthusiastic and I greatly enjoyed the pace of hip hop taiko."
"Wonderful! And fun---a nice twist on traditional taiko---please bring them back!"
"The most fun that I had at the conference...in a workshop. Great pace!
Yay, Bryan and Yuta!"
Folk Dance & Taiko facilitated by Michelle Fujii
"Energetic, enjoyable, a fascinating insight into adding dance into taiko---or vice versa!"
"Michelle was an excellent workshop instructor. I love her fusion of dance and taiko."
Shime & Small Drum Technique facilitated by Shoji Kameda
"Shoji rocks! Very patient with group."
"Excellent sensei. Well planned and executed. Very impressed."
8.22.03
Bryan joins the On Ensemble for performances at California Plaza at 12 & 7 pm, presented by Grand Performances. And best of all, it's free! GP is run by a fantastic staff, including Michael Alexander, the divine Leigh Ann Hahn, and Guam girl Karlee Decima.
8.9.03
The TAIKOPROJECT performs for the Coronation Ball of the 63rd Annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival, held in Los Angeles, California.
8.6.03
The TAIKOPROJECT performs for the opening session of L.A. County Arts Commission's Arts Congress at the JACCC in Los Angeles, California.
8.1-3.03
Members of the TAIKOPROJECT conduct workshops, participate in discussions, and help coordinate the activities of the 2003 North American Taiko Conference, held in Sacramento, California. Thanks to everyone who made the conference an amazing event--all of our volunteers, JACCC and CSUS Staff, Sacramento Taiko Dan, Dan "Drum Logistic King" and Chris Kubo, Utah Wonder Duo Taryn and Margaret "Hop," Alan Okada, Kevin Higa, the Advisory Board, SJT folks, Tiffany T., Johnny, Shirong, Lyssa, Lesley "The Next Big Thing," my weird but lovable conference brother Yuta, and my organizational and inspirational sister, Claire.
8.1.03
The TAIKOPROJECT:BASEBEAT commissioning campaign begins! Check here for a current listing of the fantastic individuals, taiko groups, and families that are helping us make the production a reality!
7.26 & 27.03
Bombu Taiko and Kitsune Taiko have their debut performance at Higashi Honganji's Obon Festival!! They perform Saturday at 3:00 pm, and Sunday at 5:00 pm. To see photos from their debut, click here!
7.22.03
The TAIKOPROJECT is invited to perform for the ArtBus tour for this year's Getty interns at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
The TAIKOPROJECT performs for the Tofu Festival's evening concerts, featuring the bands Hiroshima and Tierra. To see photos from Tofu Festival, click here and check out our new photo gallery!
7.5.03
Bryan comes off the bench to perform with On Ensemble with Shoji and Kris at Senshin's Obon and then joins Kinnara Taiko for their set at Horaku to play the "Kinnara Junior Taiko" version of Prapancha and to debut a brand new shi-shi...
7.4.03
Our main costumes are done, designed by Bryan and constructed by...Bryan's mom! We will be debuting them at the Tofu Festival in a few weeks. Tiffany, Kelsey, and Mrs. Furuta continue progress on costumes for "Discovery of a Voice" up in Seattle.
6.30.03
Traci Kato-Kiriyama and Bryan meet to discuss her coming on board to the creative team of the TAIKOPROJECT to work on writing and narrative for the production. Traci is a performing member of the amazing spoken word trio zero 3 and founder/facilitator of the Tuesday Nights at the Cafe.
6.24.03
Bryan meets with VV Dachin Hsu to finalize the web video trailer--check it out here!
6.23.03
Emi Matsushita and Amy Sugita from UCLA Kyodo Taiko start rehearsing with the TAIKOPROJECT to perform in the forthcoming Tofu Festival.
6.11.03
Audrey Cu, Vice Chair of the USC Asian Pacific American Student Association, and Bryan meet about bringing the show to USC this fall. Perhaps USC Kazan Taiko will be the opening act...
6.9.03
Bryan takes a fantastic one-day workshop on "Theatre of the Oppressed" with acclaimed director/activist Augusto Boal. For more information on Boal's work,
read this.
6.7.03
John and Bryan go to see the storyteller of storytellers, Garrison Keillor, at the Greek Theatre. An inspiring man, and an inspiring performance. Check him out if he comes to your neighborhood!
5.26.03
Maz and Bryan meet to discuss initial composition and structure for "Many Sides."
5.24.03
Shoji, Michelle, and Bryan are scheduled to lead workshops at the upcoming 2003 Intercollegiate Taiko Invitational, hosted this year by UCLA Kyodo Taiko.
5.9 - 11.03
Bryan travels to Philadelphia to participate in a nation-wide Asian American artists' retreat coordinated by the Asian Arts Initiative.
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