BPA to host ‘Taiko Drumming: Sounds from Japan’

Bainbridge Performing Arts’ Cultural Outreach Series brings the powerful and beautiful tones of Japanese taiko drumming and other Japanese instruments to Winslow Friday, Feb. 28.

The concert is created and led by Japanese professional taiko performers Ringtaro Tateishi and Asako Tateishi. Since 2009, the two have led taiko programs at the Seattle-based CHIKIRI & The School of TAIKO.

Launched nearly five decades ago, Ringtaro’s unparalleled taiko experience spans a 10-year world tour as a member of the world-renowned taiko group Ondekoza and seven years of daily performances at EPCOT/Walt Disney World.

With Ondekoza, Ringtaro visited 26 countries, held more than 1,000 performances — including four concerts at Carnegie Hall, and traveled the United States in a three-year marathon tour.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 public performance are $12 for adults and $10 for children and may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206-842-8569 or in person at BPA (200 Madison Ave. North). Box office hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and one hour prior to each performance.

A special school outreach demonstration and performance for teachers and K-12 students will be held on at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 28. Attendance may be arranged with BPA operations manager Siobhan Maguire (206-842-4560).

This 45-minute performance ties to the academic curriculum in a number of areas including the role music plays in a global world. Student tickets are $7 per person, and the accompanying teacher and up to two chaperone tickets are included free of charge.