We recently performed at IPFW for the Japanese School Benefit.  Sara Sherman joined us for her first performance as a Fort Wayne Taiko member.  Great job Sara!  We did some old favorites and reconfigured other songs.  Thanks go to the Japanese School for having us.

Fort Wayne Taiko is mentioned on Midday Matters.  Check out nipr.fm  podcasts from May 6.

Cherry Blossom is May 15th!  Fort Wayne Taiko opens at 12noon.  We are followed by a full day of Taiko events.

• Fort Wayne Taiko 12:45-1:15
• Great Lakes Taiko (Detroit) 1:30-2:00
• Kaiju Daiko (Chicago) 2:30-3:15
• John Yost (Kaiju Daiko) Community Drum Circle 3:30-4:15

Fort Wayne Taiko 5:15-5:45

Don’t forget about the concert Saturday evening…”A Magical Evening of Japanese Music” in the lower level auditorium at the Allen County Public Library downtown.  The concert features world-renowned Yoko Reikano Kimura (koto/shamisen), Local Philharmonic artists Hiromi Ito (violin), Hikaru Tamaki (cello), Akira Murotani (trumpet), Bob Nance (piano), Daniel Quinn (guitar), and Dorothy Kittaka and Janice Furtner (soprano).

Seating is limited.  Tickets are $15.00 for adults with $5.00 going to Japanese Disaster relief and $5.00 for children 12 and under.  Contact Michele Yamanaka 260-424-5070 yamanakam@cs.com for ticket information.

http://ftwaynemartialarts.com/2011/04/28/5th-annual-ft-wayne-japanese-cherry-blossom-festival/

Fort Wayne Taiko is now on Facebook!  Please check us out and “Like” us and you can get regular updates and lots of pics and videos!

Please come see us at the Japanese School Benefit Saturday, May 7th.  The event starts at 6:30pm with Hors D’oevres and a Silent Auction.  Performance starts at 8.  It will be held at the Rhinehart Music Center, IPFW Campus, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd.  Tickets are $50.00 with half being tax deductible.  The event will support the Japanese Saturday School and 100% of the proceeds from the silent auction will go to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund of the Japan-America Society of Indiana.

There are plenty of things to bid on…several area restaurant gift certificates, baseball tickets, a cooking class to learn to roll sushi, and an advanced origami class among many others.

The performance will include Ms. Yoko Reikano Kimura on the Koto and Shamisen, Mr. David Mendenhall on percussion, Ms. Shie Orami doing a Tea Ceremony Presentaion and Demonstration, and, of course Fort Wayne Taiko.
For tickets, contact Ms. Dorothy Kittaka at 260-704-3985.

Here are a few links that have been given to Fort Wayne Taiko in an effort to help with disaster relief in Japan.

*JASI (Japan-American Society of Indiana) was established in 1988 to act as a bridge between Japan and the US in the areas of business and friendship.  Contributions can be sent through your local bank and are tax deductible.

*Japanese Consulate or Embassy-affiliated with the Japanese Red Cross.

*Consulate General of Japan Chicago  http://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/About/news/egdoninfo.html

*Consulate General of Japan San Francisco http://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/archives/PR e/2011/pr 11 0314.htm

*Consulate General of Los Angele http://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jple web/cgjla donate.htm

*Embassy of Japan, Washington http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/j/anzen/jishin message.html

Cherry Blossom Festival is Saturday, May 14 from 6pm to 9pm and Sunday May 15 from 12pm to 6pm at the downtown branch of the Allen County Public Library.  A Japan Disaster Relief table will accept public donations through the Red Cross to provide disaster assistance to people in Japan.

Saturday evening from 6:30-8:30 will be A Magical Evening of Japanese Music in the Library Auditorium.  There will be many local artists as well as Fort Wayne Taiko.  The cost is $15 for adults with $5 going to disaster relief…Children 12 and under are $5 dollars.  Don’t miss this opportunity to hear some great music and offer your support for the people of  Japan!

The opening ceremony will take place Sunday with Fort Wayne Taiko leading into the event at 12:15pm.

For more information about Cherry Blossom Festival visit JapanInFortWayne.com

Fort Wayne Taiko’s heart goes out to all those in Japan.  The earthquake and ensuing Tsunami were incredibly devastating.  Words cannot express our sorrow for those in our sister city of Takaoka as well as all of Japan.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them during this terrible time.

Kodo presented their One Earth Tour at Clowes Hall in Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana last night.  I particularly enjoyed their precision  and the way they played the shime togther.  They had a song that featured chappas.  It was amazing.  The power and accuracy of the way they played have inspired me.  I was so grateful to be able to attend this show.