Widespot to feature Japanese drumming performance September 6

The Widespot Performing Arts Center is welcoming back Mu Daiko—a Twin Cities-based Japanese taiko drumming ensemble—September 6 at 7 p.m.

Taiko means "big drum" in Japanese. Widespot representatives say the performance is sure to pack the house and infuse every soul with the infectious energy of the dramatic, power-packed performance. 

According to its website, "Mu Performing Arts was first founded in 1992 as Theater Mu, a theater company dedicated to bringing Asian American voices to the stage in the Twin Cities at a time when Asian American theater did not exist in the area, and the Asian American community was rarely recognized."

The company was rebranded as Mu Performing Arts after performing Mu Daiko, a taiko drumming ensemble. The company is Minnesota's only pan-Asian performing arts organization, and has grown to be one of the largest in the United States. 

Mu Daiko was founded in early 1997 by artist director Rick Shiomi, who began his taiko career with Katari Taiko in Vancouver in the late 1970s. The first Mu Daiko performance was in August 1997, and presented its first full-length concert in October 1997.

Performer Cathie VanDanacker said they have drums up to three feet in diameter in the studio. She has been taking classes and studying taiko for eight years.

"They say you're not a true taiko player until you've been playing for 20 years," she said. 

Van Danacker said her family always got together for a movie night once a month, and her brother had mentioned wanting to check out taiko drumming in a local park.

"It is very physical, and taxing on the mind," she said. "There's a spiritual aspect to taiko, as well. I felt very drawn to it, and a few years later a friend of mine was in a choir that was involved with Mu Daiko, and I got involved when I found out they offered classes."

Van Danacker said taiko is physically demanding, mentally challenging, and spiritually uplifting. 

"When you step into the dojo, you leave everything else behind," she said. 

A past Stockholm Village Board member who is familiar with taiko drumming sponsors the performance at Widespot every year. Van Danacker said she believes Mu Daiko has performed at Widespot four or five times.

"Our sponsor thought it would be a good fit for the performing arts center," she said.

At this weekend's performance, the ensemble will be performing seven songs.

"We give an intro of each piece, and the inspiration behind why it was written," Van Danacker said. "We also talk about why we choose to be a part of Mu Daiko. This event is to celebrate Widespot and kick off the next season of performances."

Each song will be around four to five minutes.

"Viewers will see the ensemble transform and move," she said.

The ensemble consists of four  performers.

"Two are interns, and are very excited to be featured and have more stage time," Van Danacker said. "Susan Tanabe is our senior member, and she's been in the ensemble about nine years. She's a percussion major, and is a gifted performer outside of taiko, as well."

Van Danacker said taiko correlates to the first thing you hear in your mother's womb—the heartbeat—which is like a drum. 

"It's something primal," Van Danacker said. "You can feel it in your body and soul. Taiko touches you in a way few other art forms do. It's very basic, and very fulfilling."

Dori Haugen, from the Widespot, described the performance as grounding.

"I imagine people would be amazed at the strength of the performers," she said.

"You can't be worried about life when you're performing," Van Danacker said. "You have to be very present when performing and connected to the group. You need to blend, harmonize ,and be in sync with the people you're performing with."

Van Danacker said taiko isn't something a person comes across very often. 

"It's a unique art form," she said. "It's hard to describe. People need to experience it for themselves."

Van Danacker said she has friends who she has told about performing.

"When they finally come see a performance they're blown away," she said. "It's challenging to sum it up—you really need to experience it for yourself."

Mu Daiko marketing coordinator Eric Sharp said the company tours to several locations in Wisconsin, as well as national conferences.

"Some of our members go on researchships to Japan," he said. "The majority of our performances are in the midwest."

Mu Daiko has a studio in the Twin Cities in which they teach students from age 9 to 96.

"We perform wherever there's interest," he said. "Typically someone sees a performance somewhere and wants to bring Mu Daiko to another location."

Sharp said most commonly, Mu Daiko performs for schools, or at senior centers. 

"It's amazing to see an artform, which is very specific, that anyone can enjoy and learn," Sharp said. "It's been transformative for the company."

With theatre being a local phenomenon, Sharp said taiko is a force for the performing arts. 

"We're looking forward to bringing our performance back to Stockholm," he said. 

For more information on Mu Daiko, visit www.muperformingarts.org. For more information on this event, or other events at Widespot, visit www.widespotperformingarts.org/