Portland Taiko | ePress Kit

Portland Taiko ePress Kit

February 19, 2009
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Contact: Michael Griggs
(503) 288-2456
info@portlandtaiko.org
www.portlandtaiko.org

What: Portland Taiko’s 15th Season

Who: Portland Taiko,
Asian American Drum Performance

When: May 16–September 20, 2009:

Portland Taiko from A to Z
May 16, 3pm and 8pm
Fir Acres Theatre, Lewis & Clark College
0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland

Homecoming
June 13, 3pm and 8pm
Dolores Winningstad Theatre,
Portland Center for the Performing Arts
1111 SW Broadway, Portland

Trickster Tales
with Rick Bartow
July 2, 8pm
Cosponsored by Froelick Gallery
DeSoto Building Rooftop
724 NW Davis Street, Portland

Rhythms of Change: The Way Home
CD Release Party
August 28, 8pm
SakéOne
820 Elm Street, Forest Grove

Taiko Show & Tell, Children’s Matinee
September 19, 1pm
Newmark Theatre,
Portland Center for the Performing Arts
1111 SW Broadway, Portland

Oregon Lost & Found
September 19, 8pm and September 20, 2pm
Newmark Theatre,
Portland Center for the Performing Arts
1111 SW Broadway, Portland

Detention Taiko Style!
15th Birthday Cast Party
September 20 7pm

Tickets: Season tickets on sale now, $75;
Patron Season tickets $150.
Call Portland Taiko at (503) 288-2456 or www.portlandtaiko.org.

Photos for Download
Photo credit © Rich Iwasaki Photography:

"Little Coyote Going"
Courtesy Froelick Gallery

Season Supported by:
Kinsman Foundation,
James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation,
Oregon Cultural Trust, and
Spirit Mountain Community Fund

Media Sponsor:
PosterGarden

New artistic collaborators and alumni performers join Portland Taiko to mark 15 years of innovation and excellence in taiko. Portland Taiko celebrates this journey in a series of special events including reunion concerts Portland Taiko from A to Z on May 16 and Homecoming on June 13; a rooftop showcase with contemporary Native American artist, Rick Bartow entitled Trickster Tales on July 2; and the release of PT’s third album at the Rhythms of Change: The Way Home CD Release Party on August 28. The 15th anniversary season culminates in the gala season finale concert, Oregon Lost & Found on September 19 and 20 and a children’s matinee Taiko Show & Tell on September 19.

Alumni performers reunite with Portland Taiko as guest artists and open the season in two reunion concerts. Founding Co-Directors Ann Ishimaru and Zack Semke will join Portland Taiko to take the stage in Portland Taiko from A to Z. The concert will highlight past favorites from PT’s first decade of artistic work, featuring the booming sounds of the big drums with the lyrical voices of the violin, and debut newly rearranged pieces. “I’m looking forward to seeing the origins of Portland Taiko’s early works, and finding out what Ann and Zack have been up to,” says Executive Director, Michael Griggs. PT from A to Z premieres May 16 at 3pm and 8pm at the Lewis & Clark College, Fir Acres Theatre.

Former performers Naoko Amemiya, Rachel Ebora, and Kristy Oshiro also come for a visit in the second reunion concert, Homecoming. Together with Ishimaru and Semke they join Portland Taiko in concert for their favorite taiko rhythms and for some raucous improv and storytelling antics. Homecoming premieres June 13 at 3pm and 8pm at the Dolores Winningstad Theatre, Portland Center for the Performing Arts.

Portland Taiko will also celebrate the release of their third album in 2009. Inspired by the previous three seasons of PT’s home concerts and the touring program of the same name, Rhythms of Change: The Way Home will include compositions and collaborations capturing the aural landscapes of taiko, from the heartpounding rhythms of the odaiko (big drum) to the delicate Japanese fue (bamboo flute). The album debuts at the Rhythms of Change: The Way Home CD Release Party with a live performance, reception, and a sake toast, August 28 at 8pm at SakéOne in Forest Grove.

As Oregon celebrates 150 years and Portland Taiko 15 years, Portland Taiko honors these auspicious anniversaries through a unique artistic collaboration with contemporary Native American artist, Rick Bartow. Bartow and Portland Taiko will work together to explore and honor the nexus of cultures that makes Oregon unique. These collaborations in visual design, set pieces, and a new story inspired by the mischievous characters found in Japanese and Native American folklore will premiere in the September fall concert. A rooftop reception and showcase of this work with musical performances by Bartow and Portland Taiko will preview as Trickster Tales, July 2 at 8pm at the DeSoto Building Rooftop.

The 15th Anniversary Season culminates in the gala season finale, Oregon Lost & Found. Featuring Rick Bartow and Portland Taiko’s collaborative visuals, the debut of a new story, and the powerful sounds of taiko, Oregon Lost & Found honors PT’s pathfinders and celebrates the journey of 15 years of artistic history. Guest artists, Ann Ishimaru and Zack Semke return to take the stage with Portland Taiko for this larger than life celebration. Oregon Lost & Found premieres September 19 at 8pm and September 20 at 2pm at the Newmark Theatre, Portland Center for the Performing Arts. A family friendly interactive version of the fall concert, Taiko Show & Tell opens September 19 at 1pm. The celebration rounds out with Detention Taiko Style! 15th Birthday Cast Party September 20, 7pm.

Season tickets for $75 and patron season tickets for $150 are on sale now. Call Portland Taiko at (503) 288-2456 or www.portlandtaiko.org to purchase or for more information.

3230 Ne Columbia Blvd. | Portland, OR 97211-2032 | 503.288.2456 p | 503.288.2460 f
info@portlandtaiko.org

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