Portland Taiko Making Waves

Hear a special concert on Stage & Studio by Portland Taiko. Dmae Roberts talks with artistic director Michelle Fujii and taiko artist and dancer Toru Watanabe about their new fall concert Making Waves 2012. (Re-boadcast  Sat 11am  on KZME 107.1 FM)

Every autumn, Portland Taiko brings out its biggest drums. Making Waves 2012 features the premiere of four new works from four Portland Taiko artists: Dan Chin, Karen Tingey, Toru Watanabe, and Portland Taiko Artistic Director Michelle Fujii Dan Chin’s untitled piece, Karen Tingey’s “Sunny” (working title), Toru Watanabe’s “GozuMezu”, and a collaborative piece by Watanabe and Fujii called “Poking the Stars.”

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Toru Watanabe & Michelle Fujii, Photo: Rich Iwasaki

These artists will reveal different inspirations and processes that shape new work in the taiko art form.

Tingey’s premier will be an ode to her late mother. Watanabe’s composition takes its name from the legendary guardians of the underworld. Chin debuts his first new work inspired by sounds and rhythms from everyday life.

Hear music from the Northwest’s premiere Asian American performing arts group and find out what it takes to create new Taiko pieces.

We hear about how Fujii and Watanabe met in Japan. Fujii’s also remembers Obo Addy, the famed Ghanian drummer who recently passed away. Plus two live Taiko songs in the studio.

Michelle Fujii & Toru Watanabe

Portland Taiko presents Making Waves 2012.
Performances are Saturday September 29th at 8:00 pm and Sunday September 30th at 2:00 pm.

All shows are at Lincoln Performance Hall, Portland State University located at 1620 SW Park Ave.
Tickets are $15- $25, available through PSU Box Office and Ticketmaster outlets.

For more information and for group tickets (10+), call (503) 288-2456 or email info@portlandtaiko.org.

Founded in 1994, Portland Taiko was the first professional taiko (Japanese drum performance) ensemble in the Pacific Northwest. They have been a strong artistic presence in Portland and beyond for eighteen years. Portland Taiko pushes the boundaries of taiko expression by integrating contemporary sound, modern and folkdance movement, and world music with traditional taiko rhythms.

Artistic Director Michelle Fujii and Managing Director Robin Mullins lead the company which performs for over 50,000 people locally and nationally in concerts, community performances, and tour engagements each year.  Portland Taiko also offers studio classes, school programs, and community educational work to students of all ages.

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