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Programs Gen Taiko serves the Asian American and multicultural community of the San Francisco Bay Area through: 1) Public Performances. 2) A Taiko school located at the JCCCNC. 3) School-site residencies and assembly performances. 4) Creating collaborations among traditional artists and with contemporary artists. Classes A popular taiko school located at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, holding classes 5 days a week for 45 weeks per year providing instruction to 60 children (ages 4-14) and 15 adults. In addition to regular classes the school hosts special workshops with guest master artists in minyo (folk song) and bon odori (folk dance). Residencies Residencies for over 600 student participants in the past two years at Jean Parker, William De Avila, JBBP West, Clarendon, Golden Gate, Lawton and Sutro Elementary Schools in San Francisco Unified School District ranging from 8 to 15 weeks teaching taiko and dance. Performances An average of 25 public performances per year for the past six years at various community events and festivals including appearances at the Japantown Peace Plaza, San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts as well as school performances through Young Audiences, Inc. In addition, Gen Taiko has produced 5 full evening length concerts at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California and the Gershwin Theater at the University of San Francisco with its ensemble members, guest artists and students featuring traditional works as well as original music and theater pieces. Collaborations Collaborating in the launch of Sambasia, a samba school based in Japantown featuring collaboration between taiko, folk dance and Afro-Brazilian music led by Artist in Residence Jimmy Biala. The resulting collaboration in May 2003 included 150 participants and was featured in the 25th Annual Carnival Parade through San Francisco's Mission District before 250,000 people. |
