On January 10, 2015 the Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition (SAJCC) sponsored their 2nd Annual mochi pounding celebration for the new Year of the Sheep. Here are photos of that lively event, held at the Rhythm Industry Performance Factory, home of Odaiko Sonora (taiko drummers), 1013 S. Tyndall Ave. All photos except for the last one taken by freelance photographer James Tokishi.
Join our Japanese community here in Tucson for a mochi (rice cake) pounding and tasting festival, with taiko drumming, songs by Yuki Ibuki (from Kyoto), raffle prizes, Japanese game playing (ayatori, fukuwarai, kendama, go/igo, and hanafuda – latter taught by yours truly), and origami folding. Admission only $5, with children 5 years and under free. … Read more
Odaiko Sonora (taiko drumming group) hosts this event on September 6, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rhythm Industry Performance Center. “In preparation for All Souls Procession (ASP) on November 9, Odaiko Sonora invites you to join the first ever Viral Chant Group. We’ve commissioned the chant from Toronto artist Aki Takahashi, who you may … Read more
For 12 years Odaiko Sonora has been performing their lively taiko Japanese drumming in Arizona (and elsewhere). I personally know founders Karen Falkenstrom (half Korean) and Rome Hamner (lived in Japan as a teacher for a year), and they have created a wonderful troupe of enthusiastic and talented drummers.
If you haven’t heard them before, this is your big chance to hear them for free at 2nd Saturdays Downtown on May 10, on the popular Scott Avenue Stage (between Congress St. and Broadway Blvd.) at 6:30 p.m. It will be over an hour’s show till 7:45 p.m. so stop by, pick up some delicious food from the ubiquitous food trucks and enjoy some Japanese music/culture.