HEARTBEAT OF JAPAN

File87photo S.Oguma

The Japan Culture Center of Western New York is proud to announce HEARTBEAT OF JAPAN- A Week of Japanese Visual and Performing Art” from October 19th to the 26th at Buffalo State College. The week will feature a series of workshops and seminars culminating in a performance of the world’s premier taiko soloist, Eitetsu Hayashi on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at Rockwell Hall on the Buffalo State College campus.  The program begins at 7:30pm and tickets are available at Rockwell Hall Box Office, (716)878-3005, or online at http://www.buffalostatepac.org.

Tickets can also be purchased at SATO restaurant at 739 Elmwood Ave. (716) 931-9146.  Their website is: www.satobuffalo.com

Taiko is a pulse-pounding blend of music and choreography – a physically and mentally rigorous artistic discipline that encompasses numerous playing styles, several of which Eitetsu pioneered. Taiko is often performed by an ensemble playing on different-sized drums, each with a different role. Only very few have followed in Hayashi’s path as solo artists.

This event will be a cross-cultural fusion that emphasizes our local connections to traditional Japanese music. The concert itself will consist of a series of pieces performed by Hayashi and his Fu-Un no Kai taiko group. Eitetsu’s ensemble includes the first and only foreign apprentice of Hayashi, Buffalo-native Joseph Small. In addition, Matthew Bassett of the Buffalo State music department and principal timpanist of the BPO will perform a “Kodo Duo” with Eitetsu. Lastly, “Kurofune”, consisting of Dr. Joshua Smith, professor at Buffalo State and owner of Sato Restuarant, and Dr. Shido Izukawa of the Osaka University of Arts, will also perform a shakuhachi (Japanese flute) improvisation with Eitetsu. During the week, we will provide workshops, seminars, and gatherings to allow interested persons to personally interact with and learn from these very talented musicians!

Due to the success of our previous kickstarter, we decided to hold another one for this exciting event- This one has an even bigger variety of rewards and pledge levels so we greatly appreciate any support you can give and hope to see you there!

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