Ford Amphitheatre (Hollywood, CA)
The Ford Amphitheatre hosts TAIKOPROJECT's Rhythmic Relations 2008. Infusing traditional Japanese taiko drumming with modern Western influences, the group has earned acclaim for their high-energy live shows. This production, featuring a cast of a hundred, pays tribute to Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka, who brought taiko drumming to America forty years ago. Tanaka's group, the pioneering San Francisco Taiko Dojo, makes a guest appearance.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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The last date listed for TAIKOPROJECT: Rhythmic Relations 2008 was Sunday July 13, 2008 / 8:00pm. (view all dates)
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I took my mom to this evening event at the lovely Ford Amphitheatre. We parked near Hollywood and Highland and walked up the hill to the theatre, which took about half an hour, but it was a nice evening so we didn't mind. The performance was interesting and it was great to see all age levels participating.
It was a great last minute that I was able to attend especially given the special Goldstar price! Thank you~
TAIKOPROJECT was fantastic! Full of energy, presenting taiko performers of all ages. So good to see the appeal of Taiko to other people. As a former San Franciscan, I especially appreciated seeing Tanaka Sensei and his Taiko Dojo, seeing him being honored for all that he has done for Taiko in America, having attended his Taiko concert in SF in the early 70s, featuring his recently-deceased Taiko master, and having seen him many times over the intervening years. It was so good to see excellent Taiko performed!! I was so glad to watch Masato Baba, who I first saw when he was a teenager performing with his parents' group, Shasta Taiko, who did a grand job as Musical Director. I loved his flute accompaniament to the drums. I was glad that he paid tribute to his dad, Russel Baba. I look forward to the next TAIKOPROJECT performance!
The sounds, movement and theatricality of this event was wonderful. There's not a bad seat at the Ford Theater.
An extremely entertaining and delightful evening. The drummers were of all ages and the program was outstanding!
The differing styles of Taiko were amazing. Very high energy. Great Taiko technique.
PS: My 11 year old daughter talked to Sensei Tanaka during the intermission. She was thrilled.
The 1241-seat outdoor Ford Amphitheatre is set against a backdrop of cypresses and chaparral in the Hollywood Hills. It is relatively intimate: no patron is more than 96 feet away from the stage. Music, dance, film, theatre and family events are presented during the summer months. The Ford Amphitheatre Season is a program of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.
Website: http://www.fordamphitheater.org/en/events/080712_2000.asp
<p>The award winning TAIKOPROJECT presents an exhilarating demonstration of the innovative art of American Taiko with the 100-cast member production “Rhythmic Relations 2008.” Joined by sister groups, Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko & UCLA’s Yukai Daiko, members of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo (the first American Taiko group) and special guest Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka (the “father of taiko in America”), these ground-breaking artists will rock the Ford stage, for a second time with their big drums, skilled collaborations and innovative style.</p> <p>This concert is the second major collaborative production initiated by the L.A.-based TAIKOPROJECT. The headlining groups will be performing with three affiliate groups: Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko, and UCLA’s Yukai Daiko.</p> <p>TAIKOPROJECT, leaders in the evolution of the taiko art form, continue to pave the way for the next generation of drummers in “Rhythmic Relations 2008,” adding fresh grooves to traditional Japanese taiko and cross-cultural music influences such as hip hop, pop & classical. Led by musical director Masato Baba, the event will feature San Francisco Taiko Dojo’s signature piece Tsunami, a new work by Byron Yamada (former Director of UCLA Kyodo Taiko & TAIKOPROJECT Member) performed by Bombu Taiko and the award winning Omiyage, written in 2003 by composer Shoji Kameda, one of America’s most promising young taiko artists. Headlining the shows are San Francisco Taiko Dojo and TAIKOPROJECT. The premiere pairing of these groups brings together the most intense, virtuosic, and innovative taiko to be found in the United States. Both groups’ work has reached the widest audience through their performances in commercial productions such as on the soundtracks of films The Right Stuff, Apocalypse Now and Return of the Jedi (SF Taiko Dojo) and the Mitsubishi Eclipse 2005 National Advertising Campaign (TAIKOPROJECT).</p> <p>“Rhythmic Relations 2008” will also exhibit some of the most diverse and beautifully made taiko drums; ranging from the big drums played by San Francisco Taiko Dojo to drums made by Asano Taiko Inc (formed in 1609), the oldest and most prestigious drum maker in Japan. Showcasing performances by drummers ranging from 8 years of age to 80 and unparalleled skill and technique, “Rhythmic Relations 2008” is a celebration of 40 years of taiko drumming in America. </p> <p>The Father of Taiko, Seiichi Tanaka, immigrated to the United States from Tokyo in 1967. After a year of agricultural labor in Watsonville, he moved to San Francisco. In 1968, he formed a group to perform at the San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival that evolved into San Francisco Taiko Dojo, both a school and performing group. Over the years, Tanaka has helped train new taiko groups from all parts of the country—from New York to San Jose; Vermont to Arizona. He has performed at community events and world-class concerts around the world at premier venues such as Carnegie Hall, and with an array of musical luminaries that include Bobby McFerrin, Dave Brubeck, Art Blakey, Tito Puente, Babatunde Olatunji, and Max Roach. In 2001, Tanaka was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2003, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs honored Tanaka with its prestigious Foreign Ministers Commendation.</p> <p>TAIKOPROJECT’s Yamami states, “There are so many different facets to taiko these days. There is the artistic dimension; the physical dimension; the cultural dimension; the community dimension, to name a few. Rhythmic Relations 2008 will showcase all of these. Not only will it present great music, new grooves, and the unparalleled talents of Tanaka Sensei, it will also unleash the amazing spirit and power that comes from the combined efforts and support of a diverse and committed community of people.” </p>