Tag ‘Earth Celebration’
Kodo Distinguished Members to Take the Stage Together at EC!
On Aug. 12, there was a rehearsal for the Shiroyama Concert on the opening night of Earth Celebration, “UMI / OCEAN.” All the Kodo Distinguished Members will join the cast for the performance, too. Did somebody say something about a surprise piece…?!
The cast for “UMI / OCEAN” is all 32 Kodo performers, ranging from the Distinguished Members through to the junior members. It will be the first time for this cast to perform ALL together. Please join us!
Right into Rehearsals for EC Theatre “Kodo Dai Ginjo: Seasoned Quintet”!
“Kodo Dai Ginjo: Seasoned Quintet,” a new programme that will take the stage at EC Theatre, has started to take shape, little by a little.
Here you can see the performers sitting face-to-face in a circle as they create a new piece to debut at EC Theatre on Aug. 24.
Yoshie Abe will return to the stage to join the cast of male power-hitters & veterans for this performance. The sounds of taiko, shamisen, and shinobue (bamboo flute) will entwine and fill the hall with an array of sounds.
They have prepared some unique stage props for this performance, too, so please come along and see!
We really hope to see you there!
EC Theatre | Kodo Dai Ginjo “Seasoned Quintet” http://www.kodo.or.jp/ec/en/eventinfo/ectheatre/
“Rehearsals for EC ‘Shukusai / Celebration’ Today” by Kenta Nakagome
Aug. 11, 2014
Today we had rehearsals for the concert on the third day of Earth Celebration, “Shukusai / Celebration.”
We’re on a drumming rampage, making some serious noise! Please look forward to it!
Yoshie Abe to Appear in EC Theatre & Special Fringe Performances
Yoshie Abe to Appear in EC Theatre & Special Fringe Performances
Yoshie Abe (née Sunahata) is working as a Kodo staff member while raising her daughter, but on Day 3 of Earth Celebration 2014 she will return to the stage to sing in EC Theatre’s “Kodo Dai Ginjo: Seasoned Quintet” and in Special Fringe event “Yoi no Yunzuru.” We look forward to presenting her beautiful voice in these feel-good programmes. If you’re one of Yoshie’s fans, don’t miss your chance to see her perform again live!
Message from Yoshie Abe
Hello, everyone! Long time, no see!
I am really looking forward to the opportunity to perform at EC Theatre in “Kodo Dai Ginjo: Seasoned Quintet”!
The songs I will sing are still a secret, but I can tell you that I will be playing an upright harp for the first time. The artistic direction by Yuichiro Funabashi is taking a somewhat refined path, but it is couple with unique ideas and will create a truly unique atmosphere.
Without a doubt, it’s going to be an interesting performance! By all means, please come and share this special time with us.
EC Theatre | Kodo Dai Ginjo “Seasoned Quintet” http://www.kodo.or.jp/ec/en/eventinfo/ectheatre/
Rehearsals for EC Theatre “Kodo Dai Ginjo: Seasoned Quintet”
Earth Celebration 2014 EC Theatre
Rehearsals are moving along for EC Theatre “Kodo Dai Ginjo: Seasoned Quintet.” They really work carefully to create both the programme and their sound for it.
EC Theatre | Kodo Dai Ginjo “Seasoned Quintet” http://www.kodo.or.jp/ec/en/eventinfo/ectheatre/
Aug. 24 (Sun) Start: 14:30 Venue: Ayusu Kaikan, Ogi, Sado Island, Niigata
Join us for this EC Theatre concert performed by 5 veteran Kodo players, well trained and matured musicians who relentlessly seek new musical horizons. This matinee performance takes place in small venue where the audience can be close to the performers and can experience the passion of the music and the musicians.
“EC Rehearsals Resume!” by Satoshi Nakano
Aug. 9, 2014
Upon returning from our summer vacation, we had rehearsals for “Daichi / Earth,” the Shiroyama Concert that will take place on the second day of Earth Celebration 2014.
The booming sound of the taiko echoes to your core. It really is a festival of the earth, just like the title suggests.
It’s only 2 weeks until EC begins and everyday we are working on contents to get it ready for the stage.
Program Appearance: BBC World News’ “The Travel Show”
On July 26, “Earth Celebration” was introduced as a “Must-see event” on the BBC World News program, “The Travel Show.”
EC Shiroyama Concert Rehearsals for Day 3’s ‘Shukusai / Celebration’” by Jun Akimoto
Aug. 7, 2014
On August 1, we had rehearsals for the Aug. 24 Shiroyama Concert finale “Shukusai / Celebration.” The artistic director for this performance is Yosuke Oda and his ideas are taking shape.
The “Shukusai” performance will feature both guest artists BLUE TOKYO and DAZZLE. It is going to be a power-packed concert with all of the performers and instruments sharing the same stage!
The finale for Earth Celebration will be a colorful extravaganza! We hope you’re looking forward to it!
“For Kodo, August Means Earth Celebration” by Tomohiro Mitome
This is Tomohiro Mitome, leader of taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo.
In July, the weather was mostly sunny despite it being the rainy season here. However, there were also heavy rain and flood warnings and landslides ocurred in some areas. Thank you to everyone who expressed their concern for our safety.
As for our tours, the “Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery” Japan tour members returned to Sado after two and half months on the road and the Kodo “DADAN” Europe tour members left at the beginning of July, gave performances in Spain and France, and have now safely returned to Sado.
Now, it is August.
August means it is time for our annual festival “Earth Celebration” (EC).
This year Earth Celebration will be held for the 27th time. The first evening’s Shiroyama Concert “UMI / OCEAN” will feature the entire Kodo group, from its youngest performers to its veterans. For the second night’s concert “DAICHI / EARTH,” Kodo has invited “BLUE TOKYO.” For the third night’s concert “SHUKUSAI / CELEBRATION,” Kodo has invited two groups: BLUE TOKYO and “DAZZLE,” as well as drummer Tetsuya Kajiwara as a special guest. We will hold concerts for three-days.
The Shiroyama Concerts, EC’s main concert events, take place up on the hill in Shiroyama Park’s lush green surroundings. A star-filled sky and the chirp of cicadas complete this natural outdoor arena. This is one of the only chances you get each year to lie back on the grass and watch Kodo perform outside.
Concerts are not the only focus of Earth Celebration. You can watch the pre-event Noh performance and take workshops to learn taiko, Sado traditional performing arts and dance. You can experience the history, nature and culture of Sado through “Exploring the Charm of Sado Island” activities, watch free Fringe Event performances, and enjoy the international food and goods at Harbour Market. These are just some of the many things that will be on offer at the festival!
This year, EC Theatre is back on the lineup. I will be taking part in this small ensemble performance, called “Kodo Dai Ginjo “Seasoned Quintet.” We have been rehearsing and rehearsing and it will be a special performance, a programme only possible by a small group of us in an intimate venue! We hope you can come along!
So, I hope you will join us for all of EC, not only the main concerts. Please come along for the full three days to thoroughly enjoy all that the festival has to offer.
During the festival, people from all over Japan and all around the world gather in the south-west corner of Sado Island, the Ogi Peninsula where Kodo is based. During the three days of festivities, I hope both repeaters and first-timers alike will enjoy their summer stay on Sado in their own way, at their own pace. We want to have a good time with all of you!
Please come to Sado Island this summer and experience our outdoor concerts for yourself. We are looking forward to seeing you here.
Earth Celebration Shiroyama Concerts 2014
“Taiko Drummers of Japan” on CBS News Sunday Morning
CBS News “Taiko Drummers of Japan”
On Aug. 3, Kodo & Earth Celebration were featured on CBS News “Sunday Morning.”
Check it out!