Emeryville Taiko Newsletter

Special March Classes

We are holding some combined classes and "taiko in the park" outings in March. Please check the schedule below and go to the Classes page at our web site for complete and updated information.

Upcoming performances

Sunday, April 19
Northern California Taiko Expo at the Morgan Hill Haru Matsuri (Spring Festival)

Sunday, April 26
Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival at Memorial Park on Stevens Creek Boulevard across from De Anza College

February performances

Solano Avenue Lunar New Year Festival
Saturday February 7 (am)

We began a very full day of Lunar New Year celebration with a spirited performance on Solano avenue. As we arrived, the organizers determined that the stage was not strong enough to support our drums and performers, so we set up on the sidewalk in front of the stage. An enthusiastic crowd spilled into the street as we performed Umi Matsuri, a new piece adapted from last fall's visit by Tomida-san. The highlight of our performance was three full rounds of audience participation, mostly youngsters three and four to a drum.

Oakland Asian Cultural Center Lunar New Year Festival
Saturday February 7 (pm)

Just getting to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center was an adventure. The Taikomobile refused to start after our Albany performance, then died once again half way to Oakland. Quick thinking and backup drums from our dojo saved the day, and our hosts rearranged the schedule to give us a bit of extra time to assemble. The performance itself went well and was a lot of fun.

Classes

New students may begin attending classes at any time. Please email us (info@etaiko.org) to let us know when you would like to come and we will confirm your place.

We are currently holding classes at the First Congregational Church of Oakland. Please see below for class schedule. For fee information and schedule updates, go to http://www.etaiko.org/classes.htm

Taiko in the Park
Saturday March 7th from 11am to 1pm

We will have a combined all-level class from 11am to 1pm by the Lake Merritt Pergola, at the North East corner of the lake, between the lake and Lakeview library. This is the google view of it:

Click here for Street-level view

Click here for Map view

The site is on "El Embarcadero" just south of I580 between Grand Avenue and Lakeshore Avenue.

Depending on conditions, we will set up either on the left in this picture (next to the pergola), or to the right (on the large island between two roads). Both areas have solid ground not grass.

Parking is tight immediately around the site. The residential streets off Grand and Lakeshore will be the best, but you might need to drive around for a bit. Plan a few extra minutes to find a spot. You can also try farther down Grand Avenue itself.

On March 28 we will take it to the streets once again (weather permitting). Check the Classes page at our web site for complete and updated information.

Combined Beginning 1 & Beginning 2 classes
Thursday nights from 7pm to 9pm

On March 12th, 19th, 26th we invite Beginning 2 students to join the Beginning 1 class for a lively combination of drills and portions of the new pieces we've been working on.

Beginning 1 classes
Thursday nights from 7pm to 9pm,
Saturday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm

Thursday March 5th
Thursdays March 12th, 19th, 26th (with Beginning 2)
Saturday March 14th

Beginning 2 classes
Tuesday nights from 7pm to 9pm,
Saturday mornings from 11am to 1pm

Tuesdays March 3rd, 17th, 24th, 31st
Saturday March 14th

Intermediate classes
Monday nights from 7pm to 9pm,
Wednesday nights from 7pm to 9pm

Mondays March 2nd, 16th, 30th
Monday March 23rd (with Beginning 2)
Wednesdays March 4th, 25th
Wednesday March 11th (with Beginning 2)

Schedule Exceptions (No Class at the church)
Saturday Mar 7th - Taiko in the park
Monday Mar 9th - Space not available
Tuesday Mar 10th - Space not available
Wednesday Mar 18th - Space not available
Saturday Mar 21st - Space not available
Saturday Mar 28th - Taiko in the park

Classes will be held at:
First Congregational Church of Oakland
2501 Harrison Street (at 27th St.)
Oakland, CA 94612

Our classes are in the lower level of the church; enter through the purple door on Harrison Street directly opposite the Whole Foods Market loading dock. You can get a map and directions at:
http://www.firstoakland.org/?How_to_Find_Us

Taiko in North America

Adapted from an article by David Leong for Rolling Thunder (www.taiko.com). This is the final part of a three-part series.

As Japanese citizens immigrated to North America in the early part of the 1900's, they brought taiko over with them as well. Taiko drums in North America prior to 1968 were primarily used as temple drums and in various dojo (kendo, judo, karate). This wave of immigration also brought variations of folk taiko groups to accompany other art forms. Taiko drumming for Bon Odori (Japanese folk dance to honor the dead) was established in Hawaii as early as 1910, and in San Francisco as early as the 1930's. So the traditional use of taiko drums was well established in Japanese-American communities in North America until World War II. The war, and the subsequent incarceration of hundreds of thousands of Japanese and Japanese-Americans as "enemy aliens," brought Japanese culture in the US to an abrupt halt. Once the war was over, many Japanese tried very hard to assimilate into US culture, and many of the following generation lost much of the language and culture. It wasn't until 1968 that Seiichi Tanaka brought the exciting kumi-daiko (ensemble drumming) style to the States.

In 1968, Seiichi Tanaka formed the first North American taiko group, the San Francisco Taiko Dojo. Tanaka eventually went on to form the "Tanaka style" which is a synthesis of Oedo Sukeroku, Osuwa Daiko and Gojinjyo-daiko styles. He and his group went on to inspire many, if not most, of the taiko groups throughout American and Canada. The vast majority of taiko groups in North America owe a huge stylistic debt to Oedo Sukeroku as interpreted by the San Francisco Taiko Dojo. Kinnara Taiko of Los Angeles was founded the following year, in 1969, creating a uniquely American hybrid: Japanese American Buddhist taiko. San Jose Taiko followed in 1973, focusing on making taiko a Japanese American art form. San Francisco Taiko Dojo and San Jose Taiko have gone on to turn professional, and both groups have returned the favor by touring Japan.

Taiko, although utilizing ancient instruments, has been infused with a thoroughly modern spirit, and has continued to grow in popularity in both Japan and throughout the world. With an incredibly deep traditional base to draw on, and with groups such as Kodo pushing taiko music to ever greater musical heights, taiko stands poised to become a part of the universal musical language drawing our world closer together.

In search of a new home

We are still seeking a long-term location to hold classes and give performances. Do you know of a space that might fit our needs? Our ideal space is at least 1000 square feet, plus drum storage space (preferably at least 1600 square feet total), is in or not too far from Emeryville, and is either soundproof or has no neighbors on evenings and weekends.

Support us

Emeryville Taiko is a San Francisco Bay Area taiko group providing traditional Japanese drumming classes and performances. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible and your financial support is appreciated. You can donate online at our website.