ShastaYama Taiko Festival to Be Held July 31
MOUNT SHASTA — The sixth annual ShastaYama Taiko Festival will be held Saturday, July 31, at 6 p.m. at Shastice Park, Rockfellow and Adams Drive.
In the alpine beauty of Mount Shasta, a cultural phenomenon has taken hold. Japanese drumming is gaining popularity worldwide and has found its way to Mount Shasta. 25 years ago, taiko pioneers and musicians Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer founded Shasta Taiko, and their taiko program has had a direct impact on the development of American taiko.
In 2005, the first ShastaYama Festival was launched by Shasta Taiko, and this year, the festival will once again entertain and inspire audiences with a spectacle of Japanese drumming, dance, and music. Last year’s event attracted 1,200 concert-goers, who experienced world-class artistry in the dramatic outdoor venue of Mount Shasta’s Shastice Park.
This year’s line-up includes TaikoProject from Los Angeles, the first American taiko group to win first place at the Tokyo International Taiko Contest in Japan. The group also performed at the 2009 Academy Awards, among many other high-profile projects.
Leading taiko artist Masato Baba is returning serving as the musical director for TaikoProject and will also perform with Shasta Taiko. Michelle Fujii and Toru Watanabe, admired for their virtuoso taiko artistry and dancing, will once again grace the stage.
Completing the program will be the elegant and powerful Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble from the Bay Area and the always inspirational Shasta Taiko.
“Organizing ShastaYama takes a lot of time and energy,” says Russel Baba, “but the precious wonderful hours of the festival are magical, making it worth the effort. The audience, artists, and the local organizations, businesses, and volunteers involved are all inspired and uplifted by ShastaYama. Taiko brings people together, and the ShastaYama Festival merges culture and art with nature, a great formula for growth on many levels. Jeanne and I recognize a special treasure is here to nurture and grow.”
Masato Baba is the son of Jeanne and Russel and also a member of the On Ensemble, ShastaYama 2007’s featured guest group. Fujii is artistic director of Portland Taiko and Watanabe performs with Portland Taiko and Warabiza, Japan’s foremost folk dance troupe. Baba, Fujii and Watanabe are top American taiko artists and inspirational leaders of a new taiko generation.
Shasta Taiko’s members are from the community of Mount Shasta and perform for schools, events, and concerts throughout the western U.S.
“ShastaYama introduces our group and the community to many styles of taiko and music on a scale not often seen even in larger communities,” Mercer said.
Located at the base of Mount Shasta in Shastice Park, ShastaYama is the perfect venue to enjoy an evening of taiko, music, and dance.
“Combining these arts with the awe-inspiring beauty of the Mount Shasta area is a perfect fit,” says Russel Baba.
The gate opens at 5 p.m. Bring a picnic or enjoy the food and refreshments offered at the food court. Seating is on the grass, and lawn chairs, blankets, and warm clothes and flashlights for after sunset are advised. No pets or glass are allowed in the venue.
Tickets are $25 (age 18 and up), $20 (13-17), $15 (5-12), and free for age 4 and under. Tickets may be purchased at Village Books and Soul Connections in Mount Shasta, Yreka Chamber of Commerce, Bogbean Books & Music in Redding, and at the gate.
For credit card purchase, call (800) 926-4865, ext. 203, and online at www.shastayama.org. For more information call (530) 859-8686 or visit the website.
ShastaYama is sponsored by Shasta Taiko, Mt. Shasta Recreation District, and Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce.
