May 21, 2009
Taiko in Pittsburgh
Now, it may seem a bit odd, my focus on taiko, especially considering that: a) there is not a big Japanese population in Pittsburgh (one of the smallest Asian populations in the city, according to the 2000 census); b) there isn’t a taiko group nearby (the nearest one is Icho Daiko, 3 hours away in Cleveland); and c) tours by the larger groups like Kodo rarely come through town.
However, when you take a closer look Pittsburgh has been pretty lucky on the taiko front. Even if the big groups rarely come around (San Jose Taiko did visit in Oct. 2007), This probably stems from the fact that most groups rely on the involvement of local groups to help support their concerts – no group generally means no concerts. Still, even though the Japanese populace in Pittsburgh is small, it tends to come out in droves for events. San Jose Taiko’s concert proved that, as did a performance by the Pittsburgh-born enka singer Jero, the recent Pittsburgh Sakura Project planting ceremony, and other such events.
Even with that being the case, there have been several taiko concerts every year for the past several years, thanks to area organizations. The DrumTalk Rhythm Festival, hosted by the organization Afrika Yetu, has for the past few years featured among the guests artists Takumi Kato, the 2008 winner of the Tokyo International Taiko Contest (the youngest such winner). Takumi’s visits to the area have also been sponsored by the Bethany College Japan Outreach Program from Bethany, WV (ab0ut a hour southwest of Pittsburgh). He’s also given workshops and performed concerts in the Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio area.
Similarly, Bethany’s Japan Outreach Project has also brought Ryo Shiobara, the 2007 winner of the Tokyo International Taiko Contest, to the area; together with Takumi, they have played concerts and given workshops every Spring for the few years.
I find the fact that two taiko performers like Kato and Shiobara regularly come to the Pittsburgh area and perform (they performed at the University of Pittsburgh in Oct. 2007, Slippery Rock University & the Pittsburgh Sakura Project Planting Ceremony in April 2009) to be rather impressive, especially considering that there’s no group here. The concerts are always well-attended and well-received, and the artists have said that they enjoy coming to the area. Not very many cities can claim such a thing.
Now, if only a taiko group could get started in the area somehow…
The Road Goes Ever On and On... 