Ka Leo Issue

A K LEO T H E

FRIDAY, FEB. 8 to SUNDAY FEB. 10, 2013 VOLUME 108 ISSUE 52

Serving the students of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

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‘Taiko Drum and Dance’ promises powerful performances NICOLYN C HARLOT Associate Features Editor Kennedy Theatre will host its opening weekend for “Taiko Drum and Dance,” an energetic collaboration between the University of Hawai‘i at Mā noa Dance Department and the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble. Taiko is a type of Japanese drum but broadly refers to the art form of ensemble drumming. The upcoming performance will feature drums of various sizes, pieces composed by well-known taiko artist Kenny Endo and dances choreographed and performed by members of the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble as well as UH students and professors.

T H E DA N C E

Most of the pieces will concentrate on modern and contemporary dance, with visual emphasis on the dancers while the drummers remain on the side. Many of the dances focus on powerful musical elements, but the dance, “Yamamba de Ko‘olau,” (“Wandering Mountain Spirit”) tells a story. The piece, about a powerful older spirit and a young girl who is trying to portray her, is notable because the

dancer depicting the spirit Yamamba will wear a beautiful wooden mask and spend a lot of time interacting with the drummers. Chelsea Van Billiard, a junior dance major who plays Yamamba, said, “Taiko is so exciting because it’s not just dancing to music that’s on a CD – they’re playing live right next to us and [dancing] with live music is such a different feeling. … It’s so nice to have that power right next to you, ‘cause it really gets you going.”

T H E D RU M S One of the pieces will center on taiko without any other dancers. Another will involve all of the dancers drumming and all of the drummers dancing, which will make for a lively performance. What is important for the audience to recognize is that the drummers are not just playing music on the side – they are an integral part of the show. “ They work so hard and put their heart and soul into all these drum beats, and I hope that the audience gets that, and I think they will, just because it’s so powerful,” Van Billiard said. “We’re having a blast out there, so we want them to see that and really feel that.”

“Taiko Drum and Dance” will show on Feb. 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KENNEDY THEATRE

Read an extended version of this article at kaleo.org

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