Colorado Springs Recap
Fujisan Kaen Taiko (富士山火焔太鼓) visited Colorado Springs from October 23rd to October 30th 2005 for a week of touring around local schools and a grand finale at the Pikes Peak Center. For the people of Colorado Springs, it was a good chance to get to know the beauty and intesity of Taiko drumming. For the members of Fujisan Kaen Taiko it was a chance to share their art and experience America up close. For me, it was a return to my townie roots and a chance to show off my moves. Here's some of the better photos from our performances.
Setting up the stage at The Pikes Peak Center.
Performance time. Notice the tall white guy in the set towards the upper left of the photo.
On the big drum playing "Garden of the Gods" (神々の庭).
At Rampart High School.
This has got to be the best photo taken the entire tour. Shimura Sensei in the audience at Rampart High School performing the piece "Hayashi." This piece is played to get the crowd involved, and was everyone's favorite.
I loved performing music since elementary school, so when the chance to play Taiko came up in Japan I took it. I didn't know at that time that I would be returning to Colorado Springs for a hometown performance with the group, but it was a very exciting opportunity. Fujisan Kaen Taiko is a volunteer group that plays mainly at festivals around Fujiyoshida. Occasionaly they have attended competitions and have toured twice to Colorado Springs, and once to Charmonix, France; Fujiyoshida's two sister cities.
Setting up the stage at The Pikes Peak Center.
Performance time. Notice the tall white guy in the set towards the upper left of the photo.
On the big drum playing "Garden of the Gods" (神々の庭).
At Rampart High School.
This has got to be the best photo taken the entire tour. Shimura Sensei in the audience at Rampart High School performing the piece "Hayashi." This piece is played to get the crowd involved, and was everyone's favorite.
I loved performing music since elementary school, so when the chance to play Taiko came up in Japan I took it. I didn't know at that time that I would be returning to Colorado Springs for a hometown performance with the group, but it was a very exciting opportunity. Fujisan Kaen Taiko is a volunteer group that plays mainly at festivals around Fujiyoshida. Occasionaly they have attended competitions and have toured twice to Colorado Springs, and once to Charmonix, France; Fujiyoshida's two sister cities.
posted by smithamcd at 4:52 AM
1 Comments:
Cool photos throughout the blog. Good ones of Fuji. I was struck by the wacky coincidence of finding and reading this blog.
I'm running in the Pikes Peak Marathon this year and I was researching Mt. Fuji and the annual race to the summit. The local Fujiyoshida site had the link to your great photos and blog. I was just looking around after finding what I wanted about the race.
Anyway, surprise - I find these photos of you performing at the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado springs.
Wild.
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