Minnesota Fringe Festival 2010

Whereas there is no gunshots in this show, there IS a lot of loud taiko action!

Five friends from three different countries come together for some
serious fun, rhythm and melody. Infusing talents of the very Becoming
local Mu Daiko favorites, our good natured northern neighbors Fubuki
Daiko (Winnipeg) and the recovering Taiko Fury formerly of Shidara
(Japan), this new mix of drumming, choreography and music should not
be missed!

Naomi Guilbert
Role: Fubuki Daiko
Naomi Guilbert was born in Winnipeg, MB. As an indentured servant of
Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka, she toured with the San Francisco Taiko
Dojo in the United States and Japan. She returned home to form Fubuki
Daiko with Hiroshi in 1995. For over ten years she has taught kids
across Manitoba through the Artists in the Schools program. She's glad
Jen keeps coming up with reasons for everyone in this show to play
together.

Hiroshi Koshiyama
Role: Fubuki Daiko
Hiroshi Koshiyama was born and raised in San Francisco where he
received his formal training from Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka, founder
of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo and the father of North American taiko
drumming. As a Taiko Dojo member, he toured in the United States,
appeared in Philip Kaufman's feature film Rising Sun (yes, that is his
back on the right), and performed on the film's soundtrack. In 1995,
he decided to leave behind warm winters, beautiful vistas and a high
cost of living in exchange for freezing temperatures, floods and free
health care in Winnipeg.

Alex Lubet
Role: Instrumentalist
Alex Lubet's most recent performances were in Iris Shiraishi and
Zaraawar Mistry's Becoming, in which he spoke two words, sang a
little, and played nine instruments, most of them for the first time
in public. Upon hearing him, several audience members remarked that
it must be difficult for a professional musician to play the violin
that badly.

Iris Shiraishi
Role: Mu Daiko
Iris Shiraishi is one of the founding members of Mu Performing Arts'
taiko drumming group, Mu Daiko. She is an active composer, performer
and residency artist and is the newly annointed Artistic Director for
Mu's Taiko Program. She recently created and performed a one woman
show, Becoming, which premiered at Dreamland Arts. Due to a now
healed foot injury, she respectfully asks you to refrain from wishing
her to "Break a Leg"!

Megan Chao Smith
Role: formerly Shidara
Megan Chao Smith has been on the top of a mountain in Japan, in the
middle of nowhere, forever, playing taiko with crazy people. Now she
is back in the United States, settling down in Minneapolis, enjoying
the ice cream, and waiting to meet the cutest girl in the whole world.
Chao Smith is here to play at the Fringe, looking to have a good
time, and to share some of the stuff she’s learned.

Susan Tanabe
Role: Mu Daiko
Susan Tanabe is thrilled for the opportunity to work with talented
friends in this Fringe collaboration. She graduated from the
University of Minnesota with a B.M. in Percussion Performance and is
in her third season with Mu Daiko. In addition to Mu Daiko, she
performs in a local band (Acting Normal), and freelances with the
Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, and various choirs and
orchestras in the region. She thanks Iris and Jen for inviting her
along on this project, and welcomes Megan, Naomi, and Hiroshi (back)
to Mixed Blood. PANCAKE?! O_o

Jennifer Weir
Role: Mu Daiko
Jennifer Weir is thrilled to be in the company of such great musicians
and friends. Active in both taiko and theater, she is one of the
founding members of Mu Daiko and an Artistic Core Member of Mu
Performing Arts. Her next big project will be to jump into the joys
of new parenthood with her partner Megan. If she survives, she plans
to return to direct Mu's production of Little Shop of Horrors at the
Ritz in March 2011.

User reviews

Incredible
by Edwin Strout Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
All of these performers have been studying taiko drumming for over a decade and some for over two decades, so these people know exactly how to put on a show. The drumming, choreography and compositions were all excellent. A very, very good show!

More Taiko!
by Aaron Greer Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Not so much a theatrical performance, as an hour long taiko drum concert with a fantastic sense of theatrical presence and sensibility. High energy drumming offering enough of a range of styles that even a taiko-noob can tell (and appreciate) the difference, smiles, laughs, and thunderous applause. Bottom line – I now have a fever, and the only cure is MORE TAIKO!

High Energy
by Jessica Tkach Paquin Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I love that this was a mostly female cast! This was my first time with Taiko and not only was enjoyable performance, but the drummers helped me to connect that Taiko is probably more than drum playing, but a larger discplined life practice.

I especially enjoyed the drummers explainations & introductions in between pieces. It really helped make this art form accessible to its western audience.

Wow
by Laurie Swenson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Just .. wow. I wish I had one of those drums. Not that I could do anything like these people can do, but it just looks like absolute bliss to do what they do. My two favorite parts were the song where they all line up and pound the hell out of the drums, and the final song, which has crazy good choreography.

Pure exuberance!
by Justin Alexander Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The energy of this show simply LEAPS off the stage and straight into your heart. The level of talent displayed is astounding in its own right and the music is powerfully addictive.

WOW
by Lance Zarimba Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Wow says it all. These drummers had so much fun and they were so fun to watch. I didn't want this show to end.

Taiko Bam
by Paul mckenzie Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Had good balance of drumming, dance, and softer music. I especially liked the flute piece. I didn't understand the need for the guitar guy, though.

Awesome
by Levi Weinhagen Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
That's what this show was. Awesome

A Multicultural Treasure
by Nick Decker Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Not a traditional show, but a concert. And a concert the likes of which you’ve probably never seen.

The drummers from Mu Performing Arts, as well as their guests, where nothing less than talented, enthusiastic, and thrilled to demonstrate the art of traditional Japanese drumming, as well as illustrate its evolution in style and its influence an adaptability from many other cultures and musical genres.

I was moved to my feet twice by the superb caliber of this performance.

excellent
by Faith Jo Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
great show lots of energy and excitement and excellent choreography and percussion.

Pure Passion & Joy
by Andrew Fafoutakis Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
It was a real pleasure to see this show. The amount of energy, joy, and passion this troupe has for their art is infectious. Their works transports you to another place and gets your heart pounding. This was my first exposure to Taiko, and I loved every minute of it. So good you'll want to start hitting the drums. I could definitely see this again and again.

Crowd Pleaser
by Sid Solomon Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This was my first experience with Taiko, and it's easy to see why this show is so popular and such a crowd pleaser.

Some of the numbers were more dynamic than others, and (at least at my performance) there were some serious instrument tuning issues, but the crowd was left on their feet and cheering like mad, and I certainly couldn't blame them. Worth a look, for sure.

BAM! Don doko don!
by Fringivitis Vulgaris Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Energetic, enthusiastic, and creative: this collaborative work is a showcase of old and new taiko stylings. It is a living, evolving music form and the performers bring in some contemporary urban music to see how it fits with the drums and flutes. Rock, jazz, klezmer, rap, and even a television them song get pounded into a new shape in these talented hands and powerful arms.

transportive
by Kristi Lawless Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I was captivated by the joyful energy and talent of this group.

Greatly entertaining
by Ari Hoptman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Mu Performing Arts certainly doesn't need my little vote of confidence - they have had enough deserved praise over the years. In any case, Taiko Bam is a greatly entertaining and highly energetic show that kept me smiling for the entire hour. The melodic sections were not quite as good as the purely percussive ones, but this show is definitely worth your time and attention.

Awsome
by Allan Brown Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is truly a Five Kitty show. This is why I keep coming back to the fringe year-after-year to see stuff like this that I will remember for years to come.

great energy
by Robyn Hendrix Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
this was a great cure for the heat-induced crankiness of this week. pounded the bad mood right out of me!

Ten Kitties!
by Stefanie Hofman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show deserves more than 5 kitties! Wow and BAM! Lots of energy, spirit and movement. I could feel the drums pulsating through my own body. The performers connect with the audience and encourage our zeal with vocal whoops and hollers. Even being 9 months pregnant could not slow down this group's leader who deserves her own ovation. Taiko Bam is pure joy, pure power, pure thrill! Great for all ages, too!

3rd SHOW FOR A NEWBIE FRINGE-ER
by Tristine Miller Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Taiko BAM! is a high-energy, awesomely talented troupe of drummers! I heart drums! I have spent hours in the Drum Tower of Country Fair out in Oregon back in the day, so I was so stoked for this performance. And I was not disappointed! The thrill and the sensation that ripples through your body when you hear their awesome beat is breathtaking!

I also attended this show solo. It was well worth it! I sat next to a lovely lady who happens to make Fringe her Staycation for the year and I learned so much from her! It was the first time in a long time that I actually felt jealousy…she’s able to get the ultimate of Fringe-pass and see as many shows as physically possible. It was so awesome to meet such a die-hard, and this meeting was complemented by the vibe in the performance I was about to witness.

Hai, I will admit to a fascination with Japanese culture, and I have already admitted my love for drums, so of course I was pleased with this performance. The staging, the lighting, the music….AHHHH! I was smiling from ear to ear throughout the show and my legs were bouncing to the rhythm right through to the end. Perhaps it was because I was able to sit in the front row this time; and whenever you can be close to the drums, you end up feeling their beat so much more intimately. But the artists were truly schooled and they put on a phenomenal show.

So why the 4 kitties? Well, there is a part of the show that was too slow to balance out the energy of the rest of the performance. I understand that the guitar portion of the event was a very artfully and well-done portion of the show; however it lacked the consistency of the rest of the show. I admire the love the drumming artist has towards her husband, but the genre of musical styles did seem to clash for that particular portion of the performance.

But overall, I felt invigorated with the energy that came off the stage for the remaining part of the show and I appreciated how each artist was able to have a turn on the mic. It made for a great opportunity to know the spirit behind each artist as we watched their skill on the stage.

Taiko beats all
by Peter Erickson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
High power and high energy, and a sell-out show Wednesday evening. Really primal drumming. The performers were all highly skilled at both their instruments and catchy movement. A fantastic sound and visual experience. Also very loud. You might want to bring ear plugs for some of it.

Great show for any age
by Brian Micheals Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Saw this show the other day. Very glad I came early as it was entirely sold out! Great musical ability and attention to form. What a great troupe. Absolutely was entranced by every song. Only song that was a little "out there" was the piece with the guitarist and drums - I have never heard a piece blending Jewish/Japanese music, and there is probably a reason that not many people attempt to do so...

At any rate great show!

Amazing!
by Melissa Beukema Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I've seen a lot of good shows this year but this is the only show where I gave a standing ovation. I had seen Taiko before but never with a group of this size or quality and was completely blown away.

The whole art form, which includes music and choreography, is captivating, especially when presented by this group. The blend of discipline and loose expression was an absolute pleasure to watch.

Even the performers' facial expressions were a key part of the show for me. Their sheer joy in taiko was evident and spread quickly amongst the crowd. I also enjoyed watching the way they communicated with each other with respect and deference for rotating, shared leadership.

I cannot say enough good things about this show - don't miss out!

BAM! BAM!
by Carole Vandal Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The Taiko Bam performance was spectacular. This show began with high energy and ends with even higher energy. The performers do anything but bang their drums slowly.

The drumming is exceptional, the flute harmonizes nicely and the Japanese banjo brings another dimension to the Taiko. The short history the troupe shares with the audience is not nearly enough but one must do what they can within the hour slotted. I would enjoy learning more about the history and modernization of today’s Taiko. Again, that is another chapter. If you try to catch this show, it will surely to move you!

Amazing
by Becky Lynne Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
That's really all there is to say.

Choreographed drumming
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
We sat in the front row, and the breeze was welcome. Not just soundwaves, but air movement from the drumheads. This modern incarnation of taiko (which means, loosely, "wide drum") is as much fun to watch as it is to listen to. Precision drumming requires precision footwork which becomes a ballet. Not just percussion: Vocals, flutes, guitar and a Japanese instrument who's name I didn't catch. But it's the drums you will remember. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.

Longer reviews with pictures at Baron Dave's LiveJournal and snarky comments on Facebook.

A quality taiko show for a great price
by Gabriel Heller Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
If you have never seen a professional Taiko troupe before you should see this show. If you have, then you know better than me whether you should see this show. It is a professional-grade Taiko show with all the drumming, choreography, drumming, flutes, drumming, Japanese banjos, drumming, Klezmer, and drumming you would expect from a fringy Taiko show. Did I mention the drumming? Ordinarily Taiko shows cost much more than this to attend, so if you are a fan, or haven't experienced one before, now is the time! My wife was blown away, but then, she hasn't seen Taiko before. I have. I was merely suitably impressed.

Double Rainbow All The Way!
by Angela Polk Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show is simply amazing. It is the complete package: technical perfection, phenomenal showmanship, and pure elation. This isn’t just a musical performance; it is a treat for the ears, the eyes, and the soul. The amazing drumming is the centerpiece of the show, but with the addition of the drummers’ beautiful choreography, the experience of enjoying this performance becomes so much more wonderful. The drummers move with the grace of dancers and the strength of martial artists as they create the rhythms. The addition of other melodic instruments is a welcome surprise, and transports the audience to a beautiful, faraway place. Most memorable about the performance is the drummers’ joy. It is clear that they are doing what they were put on this earth to do, and their love for the art looks to be boundless and genuine. Their energy seemed palpable, and I left the show feeling energized and inspired. This is an absolute must-see!

loud! fun! huge surprise!
by evelyn blum Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I never knew one could have so much response, so much emotion drawn out of you from a bunch of people hitting on some huge drums!

This was out of the box for me to see. I thought this was going to be my "filler" show of the day.

I cried and it had me on my feet!

another must see
by amy hribar Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
you'll leave the show feeling energized and with a whole new appreciation for drumming.

powerful and authentic
by SVETLANA Livhits Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Loved this performance. The group is feeling you with their enegy and love to taiko drumming

What energy!
by Delano DuGarm Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This was a great show, with high-energy drumming, choreography, even the only taiko scat singing I've ever heard. You'll want to make a reservation to this one, as I'm sure remaining shows will sell out.

Too Cool!
by Bill McTeer Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
High energy and lots of percussion. The best western analogy I can think of is a marching band. This group makes great music and has a great time doing it. Unique and infectious!

MUST SEE!
by Karl Reichert Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I think I could give up coffee in the mornings if I could count on a dose of Taiko BAM each day! My friend Kim and I were absolutely energized by the musicians' performance last night (Sunday) at 8:30 ... so much so that we felt we were too wound up to end the evening. (We decided to take in a 10 p.m. Fringe show at a nearby venue, which, sadly, was a dud ... the exact opposite of Taiko BAM.)

When I grow up I want to become a Taiko drummer! :)

do. not. miss. this. show.
by mark browning milner Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
powerful, beautiful, delicate - this is a fabulous show. i'd never seen taiko before, and what struck me was how much choreography plays a part - not surprisingly, the movement is as important as the music. the addition of guitar and bass and rap are unnecessary attempts to moderize this ancient art form, but the intrusions are brief enough and the rest so overwhelmingly wonderful that i couldn't deduct a kitty. probably the most enthusiastically received show i've seen.

3000 Push-ups per Week pay off!
by Patrick Pfundstein Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Taiko BAM! is so much more than drums. It is thunder, dance, delicate strings and winds, voice, unexpected accents, a bit of Klezmer, and even electric guitar, and it is all executed beautifully (well, except for the accent!). Most of all, Taiko BAM! is high energy fun that brought the Sunday evening audience to their feet with two roaring ovations! Taiko GO!

Perfect Amount Of Cowbell!
by Amy AtWork Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
OH MY GOD this show is stupendous. I don't know where to start in my itemization of the stupendousness, so let's go with the obvious: the drumming. There is something about the SOUND of those DRUMS!!! that is -- to be cliche - profoundly stirring. I get now why new age granola woo-woo folks talk about "vibrational healing" -- I really do. The sound, the resonance, the pitch and vibration and ancientness of those drums made me feel BETTER, immediately! As if I'd been on vacation. As if I wasn't sleep-deprived. As if I was taking an SSRI that actually worked. I didn't want that sound to end, ever. Next: the performers are off-the-charts talented, and interesting to watch, and so clearly collaborative and supportive of each other, and aware of the audience, and just RADIANT. Such GORGEOUS, powerful, connected, energetic women! (Er, and two men!) If I was a five year-old girl seeing this show, I would be tugging on my mom's sleeve repeating "Mom, I want to be a taiko drummer just like them! Mom, can I take taiko drumming? Please Mom? Please please please?" And if I were a mom who'd BROUGHT my offspring to the show, I'd be asking him/her afterwards if he/she might want to sign up for classes at Mu. Right after we soundproofed the rec room. This show has it all -- spectacle, grace, variety, humanity, and about twenty kitties-worth of passion and charisma. SO glad I went. (P.S. Jen and Megan, all the best on your upcoming parenthood! How exciting!)

Wow!
by Judith Martin Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This wasn't on my list originally, but harking to my rule of trying to do at least two shows in a row without traveling in the heat, I lined up. What a revelation! Amazing drumming skills by a largely female group of artists. Watching the drummer who is 8+ months pregnant keep pace with the group was awe-inspiring,
and so are the syncopated flying arms.

Taiko awesome
by Sherry Gwegorr Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
An amazing show with lots of energy, variety, and definitely a LOVE of drumming!

A Ten Kitty Show!
by Shannon Kennedy Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Taiko Bam! is magnificent. Extraordinary drumming by joyous performers. Athletic, harmonious and polyrhythymic if you see one show this Fringe see Taiko Bam!

Energetic and fun for all!
by Kenneth Hanf Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
High energy. Fun with a little culture. Fairly flawless performances. Would have liked to have heard the piece that had to be ommitted. You definitely won't dose off on this one.

Wow
by David Trudeau Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Wonderful high energy and highly entertaining show with great acrobatic Japanese drumming. See it!

First time with Taiko
by Christy Shingle Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Liked this a lot. Obviously very skilled & experienced performers. Would be great for kids who are into drumming or music. Something about it seemed kind of middlebrow, though -- I was wishing for a little more musicality and a little less flash and show. But maybe I am missing the point. I still really enjoyed this.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!
by chaiya isenberg Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
OMG,SO OVER THE TOP WE ARE GOING AGAIN-CAN'T GET ENOUGH. These are the best taiko drummers in North America. Dynomite,explosive, high energy, excellent performance artists. They are at their best being playful,serious and genuinely entertaining. Never seen a pregnant women jump so high. My body was alive and so excited. They truly communicate with and charge up the audience.

Fabulous
by Claudia Kittock Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
If you can hear this without a HUGE grin, you may not be human. Run, don't walk to the next performance!

A must see!
by Tony Hanson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Energy, music, showmanship, and dance these performers put on an great show that you will remember.

Nouveau TIAKO
by Nick n Rosie Heille Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Enjoyed Taiko Bam. Strong presentation in a very democratic way that captures the tradition of Taiko that some Taiko traditionalist may find too nouveau. It is a fantastic performance of a Taiko pickup band. They deserve and have an internet presence as well. Do visit their website http://www.muperformingarts.org/ to find answers on who they are and what their plans are.

Don't miss this show - 6 kitties
by Pat Lindgren Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This would be a great show for children. There was a little boy about 4 years old in the front row who didn't want to leave after it was over. There is no bad language and they encourage clapping and shouting. Plus the athleticism and talent of the drummers are off the hook.

BAM-A-LAM
by Kirsten Stephens Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
It's like Kung Fu with drums!

HIGH ENERGY MUSIC FROM MU
by Richard Shields Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is a high energy show that combines the talents of some of the best Taiko performers in North America. If you have not experienced this art form this is a great opportunity for you to do so. The performers include local artists associated with the folks from Mu as well as performers from outside Minnesota.

I first experienced this art form in Winnipeg at their Folkarama several decades ago. It had a power that moved me like some form of magic. I wanted more.

The masterful skills these performers display will hold both your ears and your eyes. If you do not feel better and more energized after this performance something is wrong!

Energetic Performance
by Richard Heise Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Received two standing ovations. I can't say enough good things about these talented musicians. A must see performance.

Great Energy!
by Liz Floyd Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
All of the motion, music and explanatiouns is all extrodianary!!

Great energy and great music
by Florence Brammer Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This was such a fabulous show -- the music was SO good and it was so much fun to watch the talented and passionate performers. I just don't see how anyone would not love this show.

Spectacular
by Tim Voss Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Pure energy, joy, and a whole lot of percussion. This was fun. Go and hear for yourself.

Art Blakey would be proud
by Ann Lewandowski Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I love the choreography, rhythm, and bright eyes. This show draws you in and makes you feel part of the performance. Great range of song styles. More musical than you'd expect percussion to be. Wow!

Go see this.
by Jim Howitt Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Fiery. Intense. Leather flying off the drum heads.