KINGSTON, R.I.–September 15, 2009–If you have rhythm and apparently everyone does, you鈥檙e in for a treat on Friday, Oct. 2 when Odaiko New England will perform at the 溏心vlog免费B站.
The concert, free and open to the public, will be held in Edwards Auditorium, 64 Upper College Road, Kingston. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. performance. Pangaea: The 溏心vlog免费B站 Roots Music Series sponsors the program.
The group鈥檚 artistic director Mark H. Rooney told The Epoch Times: 鈥淚f you have a heartbeat, you have rhythm.鈥�
People鈥檚 natural affinity to drums throughout history can help explain why Odaiko New England, often referred to by its acronym ONE, has attracted large audiences throughout the region since it was formed 15 years ago. The ensemble鈥檚 moving and drumming in unison creates a sensation that can be felt as much as seen and heard.
ONE, the largest taiko drumming ensemble in southern New England, is based in Woburn, Mass. 鈥淭aiko鈥� is the Japanese word for drum, but it is also used in America to describe the art form of Japanese-style ensemble drumming. In Japan, the sounds of taiko are infused into various aspects of daily life, from Shinto and Buddhist rituals to festivals. The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese.
ONE aims to make taiko a familiar art form for American audiences, thereby encouraging a greater appreciation and understanding of Asian American cultures.
鈥淥daiko, ONE, really rocks the house with its energy and pulls the audience along with it,鈥� said Michael Lapointe who organizes the annual series. 鈥淭his is the first group to be invited back three times in Pangaea鈥檚 dozen year history. The ensemble never disappoints.鈥�
Pangaea is a branch of 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Department of Housing and Residential Life. Its events are coordinated to coincide with the University鈥檚 Diversity Week Celebration. Questions can be directed to Lapointe at 401.837.3921.