Sunday, February 17, 2008

Don! katta kat kat
So, tonight was the first of three weekend Taiko performances. I mostly played shime (the small drum, maybe 14”) and then chu on one number (the larger, middle-sized drums). We played a 30 minute set, had some audience participation, then ended with Matsuri. I’ve gotta say, interacting with little boy scouts during a workshop sure makes me smile.

A little about our group…

We are Ki Daiko. Formed from High School Japanese students and alumni, we number around 15 strong, usually giving performances with 8-10 of our members. This past fall, we were honored to open for Japan’s most renowned Taiko troupe, Yamato, when they performed here in Kansas City. Performances typically number between 20 and 30 each year. Formed roughly five years ago, Ki Daiko is led primarily by our local soloist, Johnie, and second in command, Leah. As the oldest in the group, I act as the “responsible adult” but fall back on others to lead practice. I joined Ki Daiko a little under a year ago and have found yet another outlet for my musical passion. Playing these Japanese drums has actually helped me greatly in my other musical endeavors. Without sheet music and relying on a few vocal cues, I’ve grown greatly in my ability to memorize rhythms and juggle multiple parts. While learning odaiko means I get to join the ranks of the Denver Taiko’s Thomas Knight, it also means I have to change my style of dress. My arms have bulked up to the point they won’t fit in my sleeves anymore. O.o Overall, Taiko is a blast and I greatly recommend it to everyone.

It's funny how requests for performances come in waves. Around September, we had over ten gigs, but that was followed by a three month dry spell. Winter tends to be the slowest season. Now, though, we have another nine gigs scheduled through the first weekend in May. Time to grease up those elbows, tighten those headbands and make some noise.
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Monday, January 21, 2008

Off to the movies...
Would anyone care for a romp through a "field" of "clover"? I sure enjoyed my two experiences. Nothing like being out amidst nature to get the adrenaline pumping. Quite a time can be had, that's for sure. But, apparently, it depends on the person whether that time will result in great satisfaction, utter demoralization, a complete geek-out of one form or another, or...projectile vomiting. Unfortunate for those experiencing the latter, such as my cousin (who didn't last more than 10 minutes before she was hurling into a trash can) and my mother (she had a narrow escape, thankfully). My deepest condolences. It kind of reminds me of an allergy. Some people are just forbidden from enjoying certain things. Quite the bummer.
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Sunday, January 13, 2008

Ex...haus...tion.
Note to self: don't start a rehearsal at 8pm if you expect to need a functioning brain the following morning, especially if said rehearsal is shared with an over-zealous housewife that is starved for attention and will use any opportunity to latch onto another human being, sapping their life energy and probably storing it in some porcelain vase somewhere for future use (maybe for those frigid February mornings when everyone else is more than happy to scorn anyone that even suggests they step a foot outside (since it's a Saturday, and who leaves the house on a Saturday?) and yet you see through your shades that some ridiculous hair-dyed, makeup-ified, overdressed, underfed, high-heel wearing woman is leisurely unloading twenty grocery store sacks from her car, and it's not even 10 in the morning yet). And when she suggests you all get together again the next day, manage something more comprehensible than "mrn...fltrh...", maybe something like "I'll be sure to bring my shackles and whip, Mrs. Slavedriver. After all, we want you fully equipped (just like your Lexus)."
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