Feel firsthand the power of the drum.

Taiko (Japanese drumming) is an energetic fusion of sound, movement and spirit, and has been a loud and proud voice to express stories of identity and cultural heritage. This workshop intersperses background information with taiko demonstrations and dynamic hands-on participation. Through a rhythmic journey, we will also share stories through body and rhythm exercises to discover your unique identity story through the empowering beats of taiko.

Stories generated in this workshop will inform and inspire the development of Unit Souzou’s new performance project, “Constant State of Otherness,” that will debut in May 2020 at Caldera Arts in Sisters, Oregon. This project seeks to build empathy and empower identity through community engagement and innovative artistic exploration, rooted in the art forms of Japanese folk dance, taiko and theatre.

Unit Souzou was founded in 2014 by Co-directors Michelle Fujii and Toru Watanabe, relentless innovators at the forefront of a growing artistic movement within the taiko community. 'Souzou' can be written in three ways meaning 'creation' (創造), 'imagination' (想像), or 'noisy' (騒々), alluding to a force by which new ideas are born and take shape in the world. Inspired by these words, the mission of Unit Souzou is to build creative, imaginative works while honoring the history and roots of the taiko art form. The core of Unit Souzou’s artistic voice is personal and authentic, sound shaped and inspired by form and by movement. The essence of Unit Souzou is an expressive blend of taiko and Japanese folk dance, forging new traditions for evolving communities. In addition to creating groundbreaking professional theatrical works, Unit Souzou is deeply committed to share taiko through community performances and collaborations, public classes for adults and youth, and school-based education programs. www.unitsouzou.com

This workshop is designed with beginners in mind, no previous taiko experience necessary, but students must be 14 years of age and older. Participants can expect to be physical and make noise, and to share stories and listen. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring water.



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