News

DOXA Film Festival: Stock Characters: The Cooking Show

bonnie soon — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:58:19 +0000

Uzume Taiko's Jason Overy and Bonnie Soon composed a musical score and worked with Director, Elaine Carol and the cast of this production to create an 'Iron Chef' inspired taiko drum piece for the original theatrical play. This documentary film tracks the creative process of the making of the play. Check it out at the DOXA Film Festival on Friday!

Stock Characters: The Cooking Show

Elaine Carol, Canada, 2011, 52 mins

Friday May 11 | 1:00 PM | Pacific Cinémathèque

In 2006, a diverse group of indigenous and immigrant youth came together to create a play based on a satire of the Japanese cult cooking show Iron Chef. Under the no-nonsense rule of director Elaine Carol, the actors learned to trust each other and trust themselves. As each cast member is forced to deal with their own volatile feelings, as well as the pressures of mounting a large and complex production, tempers flare. With everything from funding cuts to disappearing actors threatening the production, the fate of the play hangs in the balance. But as Karine, Dakota, Roberto, Michael, and Herb learn to cope with their own individual issues, something remarkable happens. When the curtain goes up and the troupe takes centre stage, will they bring down the house?

http://www.doxafestival.ca/festival/films/stockcharacters

Reimagine CBC Celebration

bonnie soon — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:07:49 +0000

Reimagine CBC Celebration today!

WHAT: An interactive event bringing together seasoned professionals, up-and-coming CBC talent, outside experts, media innovators, musicians and citizens in a celebratory atmosphere that will add new energy to the CBC and help to articulate a fresh vision for public media in Canada.

PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE: Wade Davis (author, anthropologist, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence), Jarrett Martineau (a Cree/Dene digital media producer, curator and journalist), Steve Pratt (Director of CBC Radio 3), Ivan Coyote (writer, storyteller, performer), Sean Devlin (from Truth Fool Communications and Shit Harper Did), Christine McAvoy (from YVR), Nettie Wild (renowned Canadian documentary filmmaker), and Kathleen Cross (Senior Lecturer at SFU School of Communications).

>>Opening Performance: Inter-cultural performance, including dance, song and beat.

>>Closing Performance: Local Super Group of indie musicians Dan Mangan, Aidan Knight, Hannah Epperson and Zachary Gray (of the Zolas).

Find more speakers info and other details on Facebook here:
http://www.facebook.com/events/335112269859136/

WHEN: May 7th, 2012 | 7pm (sharp) – 10pm (doors open at 6 PM)
WHERE: The Vogue Theatre
TICKETS: (all ages show): http://www.voguetheatre.com/detail.php?id=275

***Please note: Entry is FREE for OpenMedia.ca Allies at: http://reimaginethecbc.eventbrite.com/ - If you're not already a member you can join the OpenMedia.ca Allies program and support participatory public media at: http://openmedia.ca/allies

Uzume Taiko Spring 2012 News

bonnie soon — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:57:08 +0000

UPCOMING CONCERT! UZUME TAIKO ENSEMBLE will perform a new evening concert, ''DRUMS ON AIR'' at the NORMAN ROTHSTEIN THEATRE on Wednesday, JUNE 13 at 8:00 PM. Performers include Bonnie Soon, Jason Overy, Eileen Kage, Curtis Andrews and Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos. The musicians have been working together over the past year to develop the show. Keep posted for more details on purchasing concert tickets. Uzume Taiko gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the City of Vancouver, the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts in supporting our creative process to develop this new concert.

NEW! Uzume Taiko SPRING & SUMMER WORKSHOP & CLASS SCHEDULE is now posted at the Workshop Page. CHECK IT OUT! Courses need minimum enrollment to run so register early to avoid disappointment! Classes have been ongoing since March and we are happy to invite new taiko enthusiasts into our Studio to train. YOU COULD BE PART OF THE ACTION! Taiko Drumming is an activity that grows brain cells and is good for the heart, mind, body and soul!

UZUME TAIKO ENSEMBLE's GERMANY TOUR preparations are under way and we are excited to be invited to share our West Coast Canadian Taiko Drumming style with German audiences in the Fall of 2012. Dates and Venues are listed on our Schedule Page.

Japan Earthquake Relief Fundraising Event

bonnie soon — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:40:00 +0000

Special Guest Master Taiko Drummer from Japan, Art Lee joins Tetsu Taiko, Linda Ohama, Deadbeat Ninjas, Eileen Kage, Leslie Komori, JaVan, Chibi Taiko, Bonnie Soon, Isami Goma, Cheongdoong, Yuaikai Ryukyu Taiko and Sawayaka in a Fundraising Concert for Japan. Proceeds go towards rebuilding schools in Onagawa, Japan. There will be lots of taiko drumming! The event takes place on Friday, April 27 at 7:00 PM at Nikkei Place, 6688 Southoaks Crescent in Burnaby. Tickets are $20. advance and $25. at the door. Contact Jill: 604.644-8362 or Nicole: 778.554-2415 for tix or more info.

BACHI - Drumsticks

bonnie soon — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 04:44:23 +0000

BACHI - Drumsticks
A taiko player must take good care of their bachi to protect both their hands from splinters and the drum heads from excess wear from sharp, rough tips. A supply of various grade wood sandpaper will assist in the proper maintenance of bachi. Use 100 grit to begin with to sand deep grooves and sharp edges then finish off with 150 to 220 finer grit for a smooth, polished stick. Sanding also removes dirt and dark spots from the drum stick tips which inevitably builds up after prolonged drum playing.
Long & McQuade music stores http://www.long-mcquade.com/ carry affordable taiko drum sticks for under $20.00 which are suitable for using on larger barrel drums with thicker cowhide heads. Purchase various grade sandpaper at any hardware store.