Event

St. Louis Osuwa Taiko (opening: Joia)

Part dance, part athletic demonstration, but mostly percussion-centered music, Taiko is a traditional Japanese musical form. Modeled after Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchis original Osuwa Daiko, St. Louis Osuwa Taiko was founded here by Oguchi-sensei himself thirty years ago on a visit from Suwa, Japan, and is one of only a few Taiko groups in the Midwest. The group performs an eclectic mix of traditional and original Taiko, featuring flute and violin as well as percussion; theyre most notable as a permanent feature of the annual Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden, where they amaze and delight thousands every year. In October 2015, they opened for the nationally-touring On Ensemble here at The Focal Point, and theyve been an annual fixture since then. We couldnt be more pleased to welcome them back!

http://www.stltaiko.com/

Opening:

JOIA!! Bright, brilliant, clear and shining jewel is the translation from Portuguese. The musical translation in St. Louis is a dynamic, mobile world percussion ensemble with a contagious, primal pulse. Led by Rick Kramer, Joia is not only a band, but a musical community based on the concept of making the experience of percussion performance accessible to anyone with the combination of desire and commitment. Different and evolving configurations of personnel perform a core repertoire of music steeped in the traditions of Brazil, Africa, Cuba, Japan and other world music forms. This year, Joia celebrates 25 years of drumming at the speed of life!

http://www.joia.com/joia.html