In advance of the exhibition Big Drum: Taiko in the United States (opening July 2005), musician, Yuta Kato will lead an eight-week course to give students a historical and practical approach to learning taiko. Early reservations are recommended due to limited space. Course fees are $100 for National Museum Members and $125 for non-members. Participants must be at least 16 years old.

Current National Museum Members are invited to attend a private opening celebration and preview of the exhibition before it opens to the public on Thursday, July 14, 2005.

Please RSVP by July 6, 2005 to membership@janm.org or 213.625.0414, ext. 2222. Invitation is good for a member and one guest and is non-transferable.

July 14, 2005 through January 8, 2006

The National Museum celebrates the opening of Big Drum: Taiko in the United States with a bang! Join other families for a fun, interactive, and informative taiko lesson followed by a lively, on-the-spot jam session.

Enjoy your lunch as you listen to the energetic and compelling rhythms performed by our guest taiko drummers. Every other Wednesday throughout the summer a different master drummer will share the power and meaning of taiko, exploring the diversity of the art form as practiced by master artists from across the Southland.

Since its founding in 1969 by members of Senshin Buddhist Temple, Kinnara Taiko has delighted audiences around the world with its powerful presence, stunning artistry, and exquisite collection of handcrafted percussion instruments.

Come early for a 6:30 DJ set of world music by some of the city's best. Food from Mama's Hot Tamales Cafe and a no-host bar will also be available.

This series is presented in association with the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy and is sponsored, in part, by the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department.

Enjoy your lunch as you listen to the energetic and compelling rhythms performed by our guest taiko drummers. Every other Wednesday throughout the summer a different master drummer will share the power and meaning of taiko, exploring the diversity of the art form as practiced by master artists from across the Southland.

Enjoy your lunch as you listen to the energetic and compelling rhythms performed by our guest taiko drummers. Every other Wednesday throughout the summer a different master drummer will share the power and meaning of taiko, exploring the diversity of the art form as practiced by master artists from across the Southland.

In this four-session workshop, children, ages 6-12, learn the basics principles of taiko. No previous experience needed; however, space is limited and advance reservations are required.

Class dates are: August 21, 28 and September 10, 17. Fees are $50 for National Museum members and $65 for non-members. Instructor: Yuta Kato.

Lead by master drummer Maceo Hernandez, East LA Taiko marries Afro-Cuban and Caribbean rhythms with driving taiko beats. This concert, which showcases their latest work, will begin with a screening of "Maceo: Demon Drummer of East LA", an award-winning film produced and directed by the National Museum's John Esaki, Director of the Frank H. Watase Media Arts Center.

Come early for a 6:30 DJ set of music from around the world by some of the city's best. Food from Mama's Hot Tamales Cafe and a no-host bar will also be available.

This series is presented in association with the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy and is sponsored, in part, by the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department.

Enjoy your lunch as you listen to the energetic and compelling rhythms performed by our guest taiko drummers. Every other Wednesday throughout the summer a different master drummer will share the power and meaning of taiko, exploring the diversity of the art form as practiced by master artists from across the Southland.

Enjoy your lunch as you listen to the energetic and compelling rhythms performed by our guest taiko drummers. Every other Wednesday throughout the summer a different master drummer will share the power and meaning of taiko, exploring the diversity of the art form as practiced by master artists from across the Southland.

Welcome the change in season with a magical evening featuring a group of internationally acclaimed musicians, including Kenny Endo. Hailing from India, Indonesia, Burma, China, and the United States, each is a master artist who recasts traditional melodies and rhythms into new sounds and textures. Together, these longtime friends offer a joy-filled celebration of creativity, music, and song.

Come early for a 6:30 DJ set of music from around the world by some of the city's best. Food from Mama's Hot Tamales Cafe and a no-host bar will also be available.

This event is presented in conjunction with the 2005 World Festival of Sacred Music - Los Angeles. For a complete Festival schedule, visit www.festivalofsacredmusic.org.

This series is presented in association with the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy and is sponsored, in part, by the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department.

October is National Arts Month...and, the Japanese American National Museum is pleased to help celebrate the arts in the first-ever "Museums Free-For-All" day on Saturday, October 1, 2005.

Admission is FREE to all 24 participating LA-area museums (check each museum for their normal hours of operation). A perfect opportunity to see the National Museum's current exhibitions, Big Drum: Taiko in the United States and Toshiko Takaezu: The Art of Clay!

For more information, click here.

Hear, touch, and play! A hands-on taiko experience for the whole family featuring Hydaiko, a network of taiko drummers from several groups in Southern California.

Inspired by images from the National Museum's collection of photographs, Kodo's Kaoru Watanabe and On Ensemble's Shoji Kameda have created an evening of music that showcases the singular beauty of the fue (Japanese flute) and taiko.

Two projects explore the contributions of master drummer Seiichi Tanaka, founder and the director of the renowned San Francisco Taiko Dojo.

The Way of Taiko written by Heidi Varian and Gayle Yamada's documentary, The Spirit of Taiko, are musts for anyone fascinated by the power of taiko as experienced by one of its leading practitioners.

Explore the diverse and wonderful world of drums with Chris Reid, master percussionist and founder of Bang-A-Drum. Kids will use instruments and learn songs from all corners of the globe. Instruments provided. $8 for National Museum members; $12 for non-members. Space is limited.

See description above.

Fun for the entire family! Learn traditional techniques, basic patterns of folk dances, and new songs from around the world.

Zampa Ufujishi-Daiko has designed a special workshop for intermediate and advanced drummers. Enhance your own practice by learning rhythms and techniques unique to Okinawa as taught by members of this internationally recognized ensemble.

Workshop fees are $20 National Museum Members, $25 non-members. Space is extremely limited. Advance registration required. For details, please call 213.625.0414.

The final weekend of Big Drum: Taiko in the United States features a spirited concert by one of Okinawa's most vibrant taiko ensembles, Zampa Ufujishi-Daiko. Don?t miss this rare opportunity to experience the power and beauty of these gifted young musicians from Japan?s southernmost prefecture.

Tickets $20 National Museum members, $25 non-members. Advance purchase recommended. For tickets and information, please call 213.625.0414.

Closing of the exhibition Big Drum: Taiko in the United States

FREE ADMISSION

Learn about New Year's symbols and traditions and join us for our annual celebration of culture and community.

Arts and crafts for children of all ages - 11:00 AM?4:00 PM

Instrument Making: Make a rain stick or den-den daiko and go home with your very own percussion piece.

Taiko Drum Master: Try your skill at this special taiko electronic game created by PlayStation? 2.

Shake, Rattle, & Roll: Created especially for our very youngest audiences—play with percussion instruments from around the world.

Mochitsuki - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM
Kagami Kai Taiko travels from San Francisco to present this dynamic performance of traditional rice cake pounding.

Storytelling - 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM
Actor Rodney Kageyama will enthrall listeners of all ages with The Ten Oni Drummers.

Concert - 3:00 PM
Zampa Ufujishi-Daiko's final Southern California performance is a mini-concert especially for families.

Please check back for updated information regarding the schedule of events.

Big Drum: Taiko in the United States is being adapted for display at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center (ONLC) in Portland, Oregon, from June 16 to August 27, 2006. Graphic and text panels as well as the exhibition's media pieces will be included in this display, which will be supplemented with materials curated by ONLC representing Oregon taiko history and groups. The exhibition will open during the Fifth Regional Taiko Gathering, which brings together taiko groups from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia.

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