We hope that you are well and that you are enjoying the beginnings of the beautiful summer holiday season. Summer is possibly the favorite season here in Japan because it is the time of year when thousands of music, cultural and artistic festivals unique to a particular area are enjoyed by many.
Summer is also the time when Art Lee and Wadaiko Ensemble TOKARA's workshop and performance schedule for the upcoming year starts to take shape. Within the last two years, our workshops and performances have spanned four continents, sharing the thrilling sensation of wadaiko with audiences, musicians and other taiko drumming groups alike.
Wadaiko Artist Art Lee has become well-known as the first, and still the only non-Japanese professional taiko performer: to be awarded an un-sponsored artist visa by the Japanese government to be a professional taiko artist in Japan; to take first place at the World's most prestigious Odaiko Contest, the Tokyo International Wadaiko Contest; and to be invited to perform three times at the Japan Taiko All-Stars concert in Tokyo.
Under the leadership of Art Lee, Wadaiko Ensemble TOKARA is fast becoming one of the most unique performing groups in Japan due to jazzy compositions and fluid movement and styles based upon the Chinese Martial Arts.
This year, TOKARA debuted it newest work with Ragamala Dance Theater on Broadway and 42nd Street in New York City. This was a nearly sold out, two-week long, 16 concert run has already opened up two upcoming tours in North America in October 2007 and April-May 2008. At the same time, Art Lee's 2007-2008 World Tour Concert - KAGIRI is currently sold out at venues all across Japan.
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Hot though it may be, summer is a great time for taiko.
And this summer brings Wadaiko Artist Art Lee and TOKARA out for
a whole lot of sizzling summer taiko action.
Here is a list of Upcoming Peformances:
July 28th:
Art Lee 2007 World Tour: KAGIRI - Midori City, Gunma Prefecture
See Poster
Here
August 1st - 30th:
Hirugami no Hibiki - Wadaiko Ensemble TOKARA
Nagano-ken, Hirugami Onsen
See Poster
Here
September 1st:
TEN-GEI - Art Lee/Ensemble Liberta (Shakuhachi/Koto)
Nagoya Geijutsu Souzou Center
September 7th:
Art Lee 2007 World Tour: KAGIRI - Nagoya City
Nagoya Kita Bunka Sho Gekijyo
September 15th, 16th:
TOKARA Presents: 2nd Annual Saiwai Shimoina Wadaiko Festival
Iida City, Nagano Prefecture
See
Poster Here
End of September and October:
North America West Coast Tour.
Check the TOKARA website for West Coast Tour performances.
You can also write to the TOKARA Office to book a performance during this
tour.
Plus many more festival appearances...
To see a list of upcoming performances, click here.
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Summer is also a great time to begin intensified taiko workshops and classes. There are few experiences that transcend the joy of sharing a fun-filled, intense taiko session with other taiko enthusiasts. And it is a joy shared by beginners and professionals alike.
Here is a current list of Workshops and Classes taught by Wadaiko Artist Art Lee:
WORKSHOPS:
August 18th:
Art Lee 2007 World Tour - Nagoya Kita Bunka Sho Gekijyo
Day Workshop. 10a.m. - 3:30p.m.
June 16th - 28th, 2008:
INADANI Taiko Drumming Course
See Details Here
If you would like to book a workshop with Art Lee,
please contact the Wadaiko TOKARA Office at here
CLASSES:
For a list of classes taught by Art Lee, click here
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That's right!!!
TOKARA is going to be starting a U.S. branch in 2008!!!
Current dates are during the month of May 2008, and with the beginning of this group, we are planning a great taiko celebration complete with a round of workshops, two world-class concerts and much, much more.
Planning is still underway, so watch the TOKARA website for upcoming details!!!
Wadaiko TOKARA Office
831-1 Kega, Iida-City
Nagano Prefecture, Japan 395-0813
HP: http://www.TOKARA.net
Email: info(at)tokara.net
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