tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81558025209492870232024-03-26T02:18:43.959-07:00TAIKOPROJECT: The Taiko BlogCome read what we've been up to! This taiko blog is written by the TAIKOPROJECT members about various experiences we're having while on the road, performing, etc. You can also check us out online at www.taikoproject.com.
Thanks for visiting!Yuri Yoshidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573298869624564273noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-41652649723056876352013-04-24T22:29:00.000-07:002013-05-31T22:34:26.530-07:00Lancer CupOn April 23rd, a group of us traveled out to California Baptist University to help kick off their Lancer Cup event. The Lancer cup is an annual event tied to their intramural sports program. Each soccer team was named after a country and many of the students on campus came out that evening to enjoy the festivities, partake in the many food trucks that lined up along the perimeter of the field and enjoy the live music.<br />
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We played two sets before the kick off, sandwiched in between a performance by a South African drumming group. The whole evening was filled with great energy and it always feels great playing outdoors in gorgeous weather for enthusiastic audiences. After out sets, we also took some time to enjoy the food trucks and watch the soccer matches ensue.Jen Baikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510049334163315238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-83178431849138072162012-02-02T16:14:00.001-08:002012-02-02T16:14:54.201-08:00NEW BLOG!Hello~!<div><br /><div>Please visit our new blog home at www.taikoproject.com/blog!</div><div><br /></div><div>See you there!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Yuri Yoshidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573298869624564273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-30375723142317449882012-01-30T01:25:00.000-08:002012-01-30T01:43:44.617-08:00Riverside Lunar New Year Festival!On Jan. 28th, we packed up the van and drove out to Riverside for their Lunar New Year Festival! Maz, Andrew, Candice, Kevin, and I met in Little Tokyo to drive together and we picked up Jen near her home on the way. It was super windy once we got closer to Riverside and Maz had to drive carefully to make sure we were all safe. <div><br /></div><div>This is a great festival!! There were so many different stages with lot of entertainment and activities, along with many booths set up by different organizations and food vendors. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our first set was in front of the library and then we moved our equipment to the main stage for our second set. I really liked how the different stages have their own unique feeling to them. The library "stage" was actually on the ground, level with the audience. Many people were sitting on the ground in front of us and people gathered all around. It was a nice, intimate feeling. The main stage was quite different. We were definitely much higher then the audience where they sat in chairs. There was a big tent behind the stage for the performers to store equipment and change. It had a more of a "concert" feel. One thing that remained constant from stage to stage was the amazing audience. :) We also saw fellow taiko players from UCR Senryu Taiko! Hi Senryu! </div><div><br /></div><div>There were lots of funny moments and I only took one photo, which I would totally share with you... but it's a picture of 4 of the members that fell asleep in the van... at the same time. It's not the most attractive photo, and since I'm such a nice person, I won't post it. :D hah!</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy lunar new year!!!! </div><div><br /></div>Yuri Yoshidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573298869624564273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-74073264903465857812012-01-06T17:26:00.000-08:002012-01-06T17:46:44.813-08:00Ending 2011 and Starting 2012 with TAIKOPROJECT!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2z_bJrMX67E5OY1RwvIuGcxuyKbMhHazgmeQXDpOnV4TJnbNfHaWGAX_k0rj4oPxTKvkDfK1uvo7kQEiFOoqDu5mkfTqpAGJ0CrkcyYev9wjUXCTGSH41nGb7sDcoG3ciOpwU9iqc5YF/s1600/Mansour+-+Darren+with+Cosmo.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2z_bJrMX67E5OY1RwvIuGcxuyKbMhHazgmeQXDpOnV4TJnbNfHaWGAX_k0rj4oPxTKvkDfK1uvo7kQEiFOoqDu5mkfTqpAGJ0CrkcyYev9wjUXCTGSH41nGb7sDcoG3ciOpwU9iqc5YF/s200/Mansour+-+Darren+with+Cosmo.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694700524546784978" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Normally during my winter break from work, I am bustling at the mall doing last minute shopping, catching up with friends and family and resting after a long year. BUT NOT WINTER 2011-2012! It has been a holiday season filled with 3 major TAIKOPROJECT performances of all different types. <div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><div>Christmas Eve was spent playing backup for Mansour at Persian Xmas at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. We learned lots of new and super exciting material to supporting his fabulous music which was be loved by all in attendance! He is truly an artist committed to his fans and his work...and who can complain about a trip to Vegas! Merci!</div><div><div><span ><u><br /></u></span></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk8BUKVa6yz-yRgMBzyTexiM80HXvqDfIKpdNBqsoRpalMsifrdfiAhINDJbHtMu12lAvzqhn_4oWMwuWEayMnAy0o-zUVGeFkQ72XiiBx6zz6co0_2gCUlQzzw3zsCZibEDXkduQoGch/s320/Mansour+-+Group+Pic+with+TP.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694700019296657842" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8vegL8RifApwxiNilmoSbMCJ_ZoYYStEyXk0JfiNxW-0DdnlZ3wZRP52XIID3ZtWqB1EGLxcNTF5uznMx8Q_X4g4uoRYl4cNBs0f1-bX1pyGANLwCvqYmrAqIRx6KjffBPN1mxKmPLTu/s320/Mansour+-+PH+Theater.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694700287442863410" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span ><u><br /></u></span></div></div></div><div>Then onto New Year's Eve at First Night Fullerton which is a big deal. There were soo many couples, families and friends out in the freezing cold, celebrating the end of 2011. We played 3 sets to more than packed houses! Thanks Fullerton!</div><div><div><span ><u><br /></u></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And a hometown favorite of mine, Oshogatsu New Year's Day celebration in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. New Year's is such a rich holiday in the Japanese culture, filled with tradition, family and celebration! Truly and honor to ring in the new year at this awesome event!</div><div>Happy 2012 everyone!!! Love, Darren</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Darren Endohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964864590521264448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-57356519436337304282012-01-05T08:45:00.000-08:002012-01-05T09:31:32.925-08:00TP End-of-Year Taiko MarathonDuring the last few hours of the last day of 2011, Bryan, Darren, Emily, Jason, Tomomi and I dared to complete the Taiko Marathon. We had three 30-minute shows in a row, with enough time in between to watch a few of our favorite YouTube videos backstage. The six of us were cozied up inside the First Christian Church in Fullerton, CA with the attendees of Fullerton's 21st annual <a href="http://www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/residents/community_events/first_night_in_fullerton.asp">First Night</a> event. First Night is a tradition of Downtown Fullerton's. The event brings community members together to celebrate the new year in a safe environment. First Night had food of all sorts, entertainment stages in every direction, ample seating and even an ice rink!<br /><br />When we arrived and found out we'd be playing inside the church, away from the hustle and bustle of the night outside, we initially expected a quiet evening. After all, who would venture inside and away from all of the fun (and more importantly, food) outside? Well, much to our surprise, the evening attracted a dense fog and chilly conditions, resulting in a long line of people waiting to come inside to hang out with us!<br /><br />Our first show went quite smoothly. I remember a bachi flying somewhere, but we handled it well. :)<br /><br />Our second show was going just as smoothly until I started feeling the first signs of fatigue during our last song, Many Sides. All that cardio after 2 weeks of vacation was intense! All of a sudden, I was hungry. It was like approaching mile 12 and really wanting a burger. Mitchell read our futures and knew we'd be starving, so he arrived after Show #2 with six delicious corn dogs! Thanks Mitchell!<br /><br />The third show was difficult, exhausting and a piece of cake all in one. It's tricky to describe the feeling of fighting to get through, yet knowing you could do it all over again at the end. By that time, we were on auto pilot. We had made whatever mistakes we were going to make, and we were looking at the finish line. Once again, bachi went flying. However this time, the bachi came back to us! See what I mean about it being a piece of cake? A youngster in the audience was victim to one of our sticks, and after a bit of encouragement, he gracefully tossed it back up onstage so we could finish our set. How wonderful. I'll never forget what a great throw he had!<br /><br />All in all, First Night was a success. I'm thinking about going back at the end of this year! Have a great 2012 everybody!Liz Ishidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14327831799562868047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-6068540964669976242011-10-21T14:48:00.000-07:002011-10-26T20:27:48.346-07:00TAIKOPROJECT performs with Blush!<span class="Apple-style-span">At the end of September and beginning of October, Jen, Liz, Courtney, Candice, and I had the pleasure of performing at a few gigs with Blush! Blush is a new pan-Asian girl band sensation, with members from China, Korea, Japan, India, and the Philippines. Victoria, JiHae, Natsuko, Alisha, and Angeli are all incredibly talented performers with amazing singing and dancing skills. The girls joined us at a couple of our TAIKOPROJECT rehearsals to get ready for the gigs, and it was so much fun having them with us! Th</span><span class="Apple-style-span">ey told us that they had learned some taiko while they were in Hong Kong, so when we taught them a few lines to play for the gigs, they picked it up in no time.</span><div><br />Our first performance was at San Gabriel High School, and we performed right in the middle of the quad area. It was so hot! We played a minute or two of Here We Go Now to introduce Blush, and by the time we were finished we were all sweating! I felt so bad for Blush since they had to sing AND dance in the hot sun for another 20 minutes. The students really seemed to enjoy their performance, despite having to bear the heat. <span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span>The next day we performed at Redondo Union High School and thankfully it was in a shaded area, so it was much cooler. We tried something different this time and opened with a small segment of Expanding. Blush came on and did their thing, then we helped pass out posters, CDs, and bracelets. That night Jen, Courtney, and I met Blush at the Queen Mary to sound check for our performance th<span class="Apple-style-span"></span>e following day. While we were there, we got to bond a bit more with the girls and get used to the venue. My friend Dan Matthews from Afterschoolspecial was busily running aroun<span class="Apple-style-span">d making sure the sound and lighting setup was running smoothly. Thanks, Dan, for all your help!!<div><br /></div></span>The day after was the big performance. We all met up at the Queen Mary in Long Beach for the International Secret Agents, which is a huge concert that showcases the many talents of the upcoming generation. It's a touring concert that starts in Seattle, then works its way down to San Francisco, and makes its final stop in Long Beach. In previous years, ISA was strictly a 3-4 hour long, sit-down-only concert. This year <span class="Apple-style-span"></span>however, they wanted to try turning ISA into an art festival. After we did our second sound check, we had some time to walk around and check out the different vendors and food trucks. We stopped by the Designs by Steppie booth and purchased some cute shirts and accessories. </div><div><br /></div><div>At 2:40, B<span class="Apple-style-span">lush was the first group to perform and we opened with Expanding. Since we had so chances to rehearse with them, the performance was great! The crowd seemed to really like our intro and Blush's set. After we performed, Jen and I stayed to enjoy the festival and watch the other performances. Afterschoolspecial, New Heights, Clara C, B.O.B., Dumbfounded, AJ Rafael, Wong Fu Productions, and Far East Movement were some of my favorites. Sean Kingston closed the show, but Jen and I were exhausted from such a long weekend, so we decided to leave before his set.<div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksr_A5Ylz42-itgwTYJp3_1N_2xf3XochqNLtJJ0uQ2dRc5lcDoOvVcxKs49vi6itYJYti-fCq4RuYNRcAE_B9DLskdPRMTRACQctwODmc3UNVecvfgA-Di77m4LrvBCavauUshbKIia4/s320/blush+singing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668006162542616338" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QRByFrnm16ZNDezZPnYiLRpld-dly_kFty6zPUSIUoUiKX1rI9ASBh9hNHMUtR0j8ryDZ7Cot62C-d4cETUwRrwUw5AKQH-1X737R5T4L9ZN2SB1Kkv363e1aO2_h-JYnV4YW4WhzvCN/s320/blush+at+isa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668005701942157426" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div>Thank you to Derek Nakamoto for the awesome photos!</div><div><br /></div><div>Working with Blush was such an incredible experience. They're all such amazing people and we wish them the best of luck with their careers! We hope to see them again soon!</div></span><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz60rHOKel2zzGQxND4jtZ7KaSekPGrdmLTRYD2cR7CJdrCPPwkhAA_RPKI7N6nVKuNhoVJFwRdoOLSqCn1YkAL_XzwJ-AY02K471B5ZjUC8u9CXYctkH8zl_wTZNQZwBMb6LUpa-trjWG/s320/blush.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668006489277889890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span"><div>Jen, Courtney, Liz, Candice, and I all got bracelets from each of the girls!</div><div><br /></div></span></div>Emily Yoshiharahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00669324216665560435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-57881720007764011792011-10-04T22:42:00.000-07:002011-10-05T00:09:06.546-07:00Adventures in Idaho Falls!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">What was Idaho Falls like? Well, let's rewind about a month and a half and let's go see :)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">It was actually a very relaxing place :) Here's a few highlights from our visit:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">- Jen, Liz and I took a nice morning run by Snake River.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">- Candlewood Suites was awesome! It was an extended stay hotel so it had a full kitchen with pots, pans, plates, utensils, etc.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">- Late night excursion to see the meteor shower</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">- Beers after the show with Snake River Taiko </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">- Redvines!..ok, this has nothing to do with Idaho Falls, but we went through a large pack like it was nothing</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">There was a lot more, but i'll let the pictures explain the rest...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Jen, David and Maz sitting by the river.</span></div></span></span><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_mCYaCtayQpeZ5wH7Bp1WXEF5pry-Hyjr914xUNF1FI-Of2X0RDaJIuUgwwwpkSr4u_cymvlSiOVzp1rR61Ai2IfXhLnps2I-FBqn2B_3ZfgX3McuBSk1fHbMYSRkpN9VhMFQTuD5T8/s320/DSC_0085.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659889950252950978" /><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Jen and David looking to see how deep the water is...? Or debating whether or not to jump in! :D</span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9gR7T_TTnP17MxixRFd_tDmo5aMtrduYxfzmxXkBtrCslRGg3L25kkY97ovYgXTeORMEKQOrby3_BEFwSP3A87on0wrQJhp28cKAzO_PZvOjtFE27MzevZr6CnfY_Ey9QqLlIkvn3vA/s320/DSC_0078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659889956174346770" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:webdings;">There was an area of the park where they had hula hoops and trashbin-hubcap-canoe-different-items drum setup thing for the kids...so naturally we played with all the stuff too :-P</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIldWsDOGZxQy0QybKwrqSjZTqZ38QQkM17u0pFcFcTchyphenhyphenZWjVJNEjLvdAM9GeYryqK1PbtZAAPHT3p5CAh1QKPyPtyCIsRu4enQEGqXKNa2cjruHKJNX4EE0p90OEagDcfhBasMDVBLw/s320/DSC_0098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659889966074312530" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaTvKamRTqFbLVDM7WTDIK4wiMgqjwGu1ZPOlcvigmuXVLhb5hgcra3bp3skEwqhfq5DQr8fwG8d1VD5woo7zhbUqygkEz4JrxOh3m7Z4Wh2-wjUNL1L5ZpWxOhFM3Fj7kRojhdfvHEc/s320/DSC_0101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659889973280115874" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Where's Liz go?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWk68r_SXr5-ZMT_ob5pJ3Xgz6HCsceAavUh0g7HYCg_5I42lZB5vjzQxB9DtDPaB0646u3cU9Ev3nLyPn-pkFNqNnuOoYtWLCYiLgmg2gYC3YLS8URWsnpH_fPz1h9XGNXNGh-Kk0ns/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWk68r_SXr5-ZMT_ob5pJ3Xgz6HCsceAavUh0g7HYCg_5I42lZB5vjzQxB9DtDPaB0646u3cU9Ev3nLyPn-pkFNqNnuOoYtWLCYiLgmg2gYC3YLS8URWsnpH_fPz1h9XGNXNGh-Kk0ns/s320/DSC_0089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659894727504621218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: webdings; ">Oh, there she is!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Hawaiian shaved ice, yum!!! :D</span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDTEZas4ufp_fpakRNJqUXyvf8an4HR_NqyQ0SLXWTeT8tq-0RAETVd8ulA_OPTMKlfgv21Y0NaNBB_2detHTg4ba_Y3gYv9oKJmi0qv7kUixPwQ-BmnyB_pzTlQFLuyGHT098moVFAY/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDTEZas4ufp_fpakRNJqUXyvf8an4HR_NqyQ0SLXWTeT8tq-0RAETVd8ulA_OPTMKlfgv21Y0NaNBB_2detHTg4ba_Y3gYv9oKJmi0qv7kUixPwQ-BmnyB_pzTlQFLuyGHT098moVFAY/s320/DSC_0102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659894735591725442" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Random, but they had a bunch of these fun benches around the town. Here are a few of them..</span><br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2c3gPUDOWILKGsmr9bz_Z84Za_c4bYbC3e8lWTTxumYlYdjsEq8PGoca1IVyId7-pkaWh-ubq35LPYyNPmXcuYb0dLzkur03Ajv-BCPvEDHpeP8KSlyXXidjdXIIJSMJ8C4GFGSH1sBA/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659882872914006466" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmILuvrxerbyLzPysOh6AMD8OhfjzxnRrMfX6yFMNIAQuw6xQGkboWDL7XrdWuNSfZ5l1R_49erMOlHDQ6A0x0HZwYCk9ILU6Batr7L_hDH6HZxn9SMdwmp4Jzm_B0bT14ZoH-ZwFybSc/s320/DSC_0071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659882868745335282" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2Z_rJv9Sn2lfwVcyjvgY2EE6K8_-y2dUBLu3TXEB5ktdHGzKVSp6XZHnOnFeXms3mkgn1TgmOo20SEl7yeKukuj3edM6-ProIASSyLuestRpRh4_WsswlQ4oeD4Lk9YxXwur9YqPA5w/s320/DSC_0070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659882865452008242" /><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Some of the other ones that we saw were a big skateboard bench, bicycle bench, and a bench shaped like the handle of a violin! I looked it up when I got home and found out that they are a part of the 2010 Greenbelt Art Bench Project. It would be so cool to see something like that down here in Irvine!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Snake River at night, so awesome! This was right outside of our hotel room too! I think I took this on the night that we went to go look at the meteor shower until the AMs.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wpBDkpbiiWdSnlAzGZJj8A2b-cTZAUBfBBeeKaGxVKK9ClUwqa4gIJxqfQvQkdCDsT8cOqVmtkqpAxQrQ-mwqKnxNGvVxAI6L8WIW5LZgkAyMtVe8cPPXSia34ITp_42qEBROy2dV58/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wpBDkpbiiWdSnlAzGZJj8A2b-cTZAUBfBBeeKaGxVKK9ClUwqa4gIJxqfQvQkdCDsT8cOqVmtkqpAxQrQ-mwqKnxNGvVxAI6L8WIW5LZgkAyMtVe8cPPXSia34ITp_42qEBROy2dV58/s320/DSC_0145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659894746104231474" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">And now...getting ready for the show!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHr3U2mmJk3OX71blv-cigtfxcvTJe57ras5AreVuWI6JBTsBelPdnr95djCbZTsBtrprtuSjXU9ZbF67YsjZtXiyFyp4iQKZlJwVxRMJQ2OmRnFCbDkujYXRlq2pH6c0_kADaQxQ1neE/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHr3U2mmJk3OX71blv-cigtfxcvTJe57ras5AreVuWI6JBTsBelPdnr95djCbZTsBtrprtuSjXU9ZbF67YsjZtXiyFyp4iQKZlJwVxRMJQ2OmRnFCbDkujYXRlq2pH6c0_kADaQxQ1neE/s320/DSC_0118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659897386814893650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Oslc7wGaFk6vjDvqPYcr0i7wjHCWezMaw-TABFJO3LPKaC0VC_0uM1yP2vgkdBe4QV4ct8UjJG-QoZ6vLmHxQg7pZshWeQGIcFmCDTN8myoT3bCRrgL6FUgjOHvmZQ46xAJNyI-ZF8I/s320/DSC_0114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659897378006505314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkB42YyCk5hYs6LC4Xk4m1RyNXvY1bF1_7sYy7udRpeQfGzDpHDjLlsidpHa6b_3cr6PJLnrKiZP2ys9Kirnh-1oksvJaZo_FauxNoZKDBqiEO3Zb9aIyVFINOhEtj2eAL7RezcXSGtc/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkB42YyCk5hYs6LC4Xk4m1RyNXvY1bF1_7sYy7udRpeQfGzDpHDjLlsidpHa6b_3cr6PJLnrKiZP2ys9Kirnh-1oksvJaZo_FauxNoZKDBqiEO3Zb9aIyVFINOhEtj2eAL7RezcXSGtc/s320/DSC_0115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659897384084578418" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQZRSZ8QY_-1PjEx71FBiQvmxdciWMMkpAK0EnEEQl9Vl1lv77DetjSMszMhvFACby4XvZPfVxjB7Wm57I6c6aJkUNlEjv9yGcdDpBX74yfkP0GL0Ma71AEPFo6QSy4n6LQFbmkH_mKM/s1600/DSC_0136.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQZRSZ8QY_-1PjEx71FBiQvmxdciWMMkpAK0EnEEQl9Vl1lv77DetjSMszMhvFACby4XvZPfVxjB7Wm57I6c6aJkUNlEjv9yGcdDpBX74yfkP0GL0Ma71AEPFo6QSy4n6LQFbmkH_mKM/s320/DSC_0136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659894742413202306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Showtime~!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IpTquaXmzQshNHDoDiIcURM2xcCnx-YlApgF_yXP5U0GKMVl-Ku79LDHJhfU47E1MRZdl6HKyId7gznsr_-740frWnAjs_XNgmhzWVrV2OVyzYuLeqhpYo0_p8b3eneatZmQXaDlWfE/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IpTquaXmzQshNHDoDiIcURM2xcCnx-YlApgF_yXP5U0GKMVl-Ku79LDHJhfU47E1MRZdl6HKyId7gznsr_-740frWnAjs_XNgmhzWVrV2OVyzYuLeqhpYo0_p8b3eneatZmQXaDlWfE/s320/DSC_0131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659897372757472834" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Thank you Snake River Taiko for your hospitality!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Thought I'd end it with a cast photo...actually, this is a picture from the Wyoming show, but that's ok, right? ^_^</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3QsIq9ILhHDq_r9zCPei-gas43UK8Ymwb6QCSyA9V59Uur8EWYBtr9OQamY4QPw0XgCWsCOPdXsoJomdUiHzWM1DhMuFjhkvWLdiiuASAV3yEOLmmc07tXWPWmwSlSUMv6UxrF86-SA/s1600/DSC_0192.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3QsIq9ILhHDq_r9zCPei-gas43UK8Ymwb6QCSyA9V59Uur8EWYBtr9OQamY4QPw0XgCWsCOPdXsoJomdUiHzWM1DhMuFjhkvWLdiiuASAV3yEOLmmc07tXWPWmwSlSUMv6UxrF86-SA/s320/DSC_0192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659894747990820962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">Hope you enjoyed!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;"><br /></span></div></div>Yumi Saitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02503204556276055490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-55296988453994474402011-09-28T09:26:00.000-07:002011-09-28T09:31:40.360-07:00Taiko Conference wrap-upYou wouldn't think it would take me a whole month to recover, but I've finally caught up post-Taiko Conference. Whew! TaikoProject members participated in many aspects of Taiko Conference; Maz and I performed in Taiko Ten and Bryan taught a workshop called Hip-Hop Taiko along with TP assistants. The event was a grand success... looking forward to 2013!Kris Bergstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13614670758308152448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-45431595710210199232011-09-18T12:31:00.000-07:002011-09-18T13:20:17.127-07:00Lobsterfest 2011!<div style="text-align: left;">Last night, we performed at the <a href="http://lobsterfest.com/">Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival</a>!</div><div><div>We unloaded all of our equipment and air-bachi'd through our set behind the stage. Since we had some time before we went on, we decided to walk around the festival. There was SO MUCH food! There was, of course, lobster, but also many food trucks and other food vendors. The line to get the lobster dinner was extremely long. I was getting hungry just walking around, but we all decided to wait to eat until after the show (well, almost all of us...).</div></div><div>Then, it was our turn to perform on the main stage. The crowd was amazing! I love performing and I especially love performing to an awesome audience! We even saw a few familiar faces. :)</div><div>We quickly loaded the drums back into the van and headed towards the food once again to get our complimentary lobster dinner. I was dreading the line, but there wasn't one! Yay! It was fun eating lobster with everyone. Some of us demolished our lobsters! Candice used up ALL of her butter!! Okay, just kidding... but it looked like she did so I was telling everyone she did. hah. :p</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtuxKjixJZZOVFtDM6Sf8NFn2YMGbRMrizB33VnOnCRRFcQH1Efs0CXBky2c2xaS2_djiZMgkNfCptCaC0sJyqIfmnc6TpzeSaDLVSq4031Q_2EYUZqFF9_VnYnXAZ-80mB83JBM6OQs/s400/IMAG0848.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653787353096155266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Here we are! </div><div>On the left is Darren, Jen, Brian, and Candice (I sat between Brian and Candi).</div><div>On the right is Kevin, Jenny, Emily, Courtney, and Maz. </div><div>Liz and David were out looking for a non-lobster dinner and joined us a little bit later. Oh yes, Lobsterfest also gave us free drinks! :D </div><div>Thanks Lobsterfest for inviting us to perform and for the dinner!! We had a lot of fun!!!!</div>Yuri Yoshidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573298869624564273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-77408160213527069732011-09-15T14:00:00.000-07:002011-09-15T14:07:37.859-07:00Rhythmic Relations 2011!!!<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal">Greetings to all of the TAIKOPROJECT blog followers!! We are having quite the busy summer, full of performances, tours and a lot of travelling. But lets rewind things back to the end of June for a recap of our Rhythmic Relations 2011 show at the JACCC Plaza.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoErTYHQgCfig2s_QTNUA8f0jUj9UVjCQf7iO2jOPmW9k315uM6AKBABFuhMAe3OiGr1i2MvUtG1OW7_nXVntRHDQNxnmlti0fOJiloOv5G_XFJqvYkr2AV0zYqc0C6eFWaG-Stckct_PC/s1600/ryutaro.jpg"><br /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PyrcmfNTyochQ5ojkvr64DtD5k6Uw5xCBaHmegjqZTYMUEtC-sxJmdb2fSywfLwZk4QFBwpj67vmA75WDFerXXNpeQfJMMQZ4_JweOPfh3OlxdLFCNY_Wv5QdxM4jmNfKBtwkWLBEWfU/s1600/taikoblog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PyrcmfNTyochQ5ojkvr64DtD5k6Uw5xCBaHmegjqZTYMUEtC-sxJmdb2fSywfLwZk4QFBwpj67vmA75WDFerXXNpeQfJMMQZ4_JweOPfh3OlxdLFCNY_Wv5QdxM4jmNfKBtwkWLBEWfU/s320/taikoblog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652694507986148658" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Stage setup at the JACCC Plaza</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">This past Rhythmic Relations was my first Rhythmic Relations concert and it was very stressful and tiring weekend, but in the long run it was a truly amazing experience to be a part of such a big show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The first act featured Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko, Loma Pacific Taiko and the Chibi’s, all of the groups that we help teach throughout the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since I don’t get to see all of groups on a regular basis, it was really special to play the stroll with all of them at the top of the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everyone’s positive energy and excitement has always inspired me to play from the heart and it was truly so much fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Being one of the newer members to the TAIKOPROJECT family, I was awestruck by all the songs performed by each group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everyone had such big smiles on their faces and it was very evident that each person was giving their very best and enjoying every minute of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You guys did an amazing job!!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoErTYHQgCfig2s_QTNUA8f0jUj9UVjCQf7iO2jOPmW9k315uM6AKBABFuhMAe3OiGr1i2MvUtG1OW7_nXVntRHDQNxnmlti0fOJiloOv5G_XFJqvYkr2AV0zYqc0C6eFWaG-Stckct_PC/s1600/ryutaro.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoErTYHQgCfig2s_QTNUA8f0jUj9UVjCQf7iO2jOPmW9k315uM6AKBABFuhMAe3OiGr1i2MvUtG1OW7_nXVntRHDQNxnmlti0fOJiloOv5G_XFJqvYkr2AV0zYqc0C6eFWaG-Stckct_PC/s320/ryutaro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652695000639573746" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ryutaro Kaneko</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">For the second act, TAIKOPROJECT took the stage with Ryutaro Kaneko who was a member of Kodo, the taiko drumming ensemble on Sado Island in Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For many months before the concert, Bryan, Maz and Kris worked with Ryutaro to remix songs both from Kodo’s repertoire and TAIKOPROJECT’s repertoire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One of the songs we remixed was Kodo’s Bird Island, which is a very fast piece and we even got the chance to choreograph a paranku part which is common in Eisa, Okinawan taiko drumming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thanks to Yumi, her choreography gave our performance a little more depth beyond stationary drumming that we are normally used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ryutaro was also given the opportunity to remix one of our songs and the song he showed a lot of interest in was Seiza, our piece that features the koto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Creating a new middle section to the piece featuring a four-drum taiko set solo and several new accompany parts, Ryutaro expanded the normally six-person song to a sixteen-person song. That is almost the entire TAIKOPROJECT cast!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This concert took a lot of work, but with everyone’s combined effort we pulled off a very fun and exciting show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thanks to the JACCC for providing us with such a nice stage setup and countless hours of help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A special thank you to all of our donors, without your generous support we would not have the chance to share our passion of taiko with the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A huge thank you to all the friends, family, and fans of TAIKOPROJECT for coming out to the performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We would also like to show the upmost gratitude to Ryutaro, for taking time out of his schedule to teach and participate in our Rhythmic Relations 2011 show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thanks for reading TAIKOPROJECT blog followers and see you next time!! :]</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomKMyF3cbjMjGOqi6DqjLt3zmfQB6z7kT-oWr1cYhPeIU7hA2yL0oCq9JYlDfWLUcUl-eVvlmONNORwjrY1yYB1VZDgRfqmfOLZI9_36x7UMdBVMwCWzQ5P6uqZtgyUCaBt1UqOtJNk8l/s1600/taikofamily.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomKMyF3cbjMjGOqi6DqjLt3zmfQB6z7kT-oWr1cYhPeIU7hA2yL0oCq9JYlDfWLUcUl-eVvlmONNORwjrY1yYB1VZDgRfqmfOLZI9_36x7UMdBVMwCWzQ5P6uqZtgyUCaBt1UqOtJNk8l/s320/taikofamily.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652695434512621042" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">TAIKOPROJECT, Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko, Loma Pacific Taiko, Chibis</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Our Happy Taiko Family!!! :D</span><br /></p>Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833166395918485646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-2112137674377352212011-09-05T18:39:00.000-07:002011-09-06T03:32:19.267-07:00Continuum show in Casper, Wyoming<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; "><p>August was a busy flying month for me. After the fun adventures in Coeur d'Alene, I flew back to LAX only to take another flight to Mammoth Lakes the same day for a family vacation. This was a good chance for me to relax and do some fishing, hiking, and even try to take photos of the Perseid meteor shower. But don't you worry, after my vacation ended I got right back on a plane with my bachi in order to meet up with the rest of the cast in Wyoming.</p><p>Our Casper, WY show was on Sunday, August 14. I flew into Denver on Saturday and met up with Scott. From there we rented a car and had a bit of a drive to Casper. There were very few cities (or anything besides flat land) along our route. The occasional tree or cow was enough to get Scott and me excited! When we finally made it to Casper about 5 hours later, we joined Maz, David, Liz, Jen, and Yumi for dinner at On the Border. I ordered something called the Big Bordurrito because it sounded big. It was :). </p><p>Sunday was the day of our Continuum show. After breakfast, we drove to Natrona County High School. Our show was in the auditorium, which looked to be built quite a long time ago. The building had a lot of nice details inside and out, which I took immediate notice of because I thought it was quite nifty. Once we finished unloading with the help of their crew, we prepped everything for our tech and run through.</p><p>Originally, Bryan was cast for this show, but he couldn't do it anymore once TP was confirmed for the VH1 Do Something Awards on the same weekend. I took his place and was excited to do the show, but was a little apprehensive as well. I had to learn and perform several new parts that I had never done before, including odaiko for BTO. So not only did I have to fill Bryan's shoes, but his fundoshi as well... Luckily for me, I'm not being literal! I had my own fundoshi to wear for the occasion. The auditorium actually had no air conditioning, so fundoshi was probably the most comfy thing to wear. During our tech, we were all hot and sweaty, so I suggested we all perform in fundoshi, but that motion didn't pass! </p><p>We had a few hours of time to rest and eat before the show. Thank you to our presenter who had prepared a delicious dinner for us! When it was finally showtime, we went out with a lot of energy and had a great show. We had the chance to meet and talk with people in the lobby afterwards, which is always fun.</p><p>We wanted to celebrate and wind down the night, but almost everywhere was closed. Much to David's delight, the only place we found open was a Wendy's. We all ended up eating Frostys and sea salt fries, yum!</p><p>The next morning, Jen, Yumi, Liz, Scott and I said our good byes to David and Maz as they continued on their romantic journey together. The five of us got comfortable in our Corolla and headed back to Denver with a few hours of time to spare before our flight. We decided to walk around downtown Denver for a bit. We ate some pizza at the Mellow Mushroom and took a nice stroll by the river. This was a quick and tiring trip for me, but I thought everything went really well and we all had a good time!</p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDHriBgJ678pwffQRKNcVhlMe1P1HcGD66t_GfCh7OXtrrjbsj206kfevdrAsJ567zhSyRec47w30HlEr38QOp_MBa2-dxtetLAveH6uzpBm3Q_HQOOJ5Sj3mmlUS7KqzZJKKaR0iM9O-/s1600/Photo_E9664AA4-82C4-899C-9227-E404B174E39C.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDHriBgJ678pwffQRKNcVhlMe1P1HcGD66t_GfCh7OXtrrjbsj206kfevdrAsJ567zhSyRec47w30HlEr38QOp_MBa2-dxtetLAveH6uzpBm3Q_HQOOJ5Sj3mmlUS7KqzZJKKaR0iM9O-/s320/Photo_E9664AA4-82C4-899C-9227-E404B174E39C.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649181452537700978" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div>On stage for tech<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR2Gfv_vzuVA2pwiTMAw9dOG2Jh5IuixFecn3gGKIXB7Wpp0AauKSzHKK6E_FSu-TluOMbKUPG61m1O6-0q9iiva1RUqRmGDUG7u-G6fN8Cv6TUAxGCV5lzYPS1pVdAb8_EkD2JHcV8ou/s1600/Photo_BA63CDB4-765E-164F-2800-6B2E82ECA914.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR2Gfv_vzuVA2pwiTMAw9dOG2Jh5IuixFecn3gGKIXB7Wpp0AauKSzHKK6E_FSu-TluOMbKUPG61m1O6-0q9iiva1RUqRmGDUG7u-G6fN8Cv6TUAxGCV5lzYPS1pVdAb8_EkD2JHcV8ou/s320/Photo_BA63CDB4-765E-164F-2800-6B2E82ECA914.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649181457978209330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Looking tired at hotel breakfast, my skillet!<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkuzBciP6peg_ZyeEM1f2XYCKHV74J_RxjFv1Dj7QeH_v-hF6DTiAGVS6OGhgA_Tp_X7xikrt62j_Vo7SP7fpXy8FLWhVxHgRj6NeYw9WoY1vh7Y3v2FYiMoh1Hvuy5WAYRd1RxeB_Gsb/s1600/Photo_FD9A0F47-9AC8-6798-1B4F-70C0C4A8E1B4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkuzBciP6peg_ZyeEM1f2XYCKHV74J_RxjFv1Dj7QeH_v-hF6DTiAGVS6OGhgA_Tp_X7xikrt62j_Vo7SP7fpXy8FLWhVxHgRj6NeYw9WoY1vh7Y3v2FYiMoh1Hvuy5WAYRd1RxeB_Gsb/s320/Photo_FD9A0F47-9AC8-6798-1B4F-70C0C4A8E1B4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649181462774466466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br />Watching people tubing on Platte River in Denver.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrmrdp5ETjyCnYfl_FJ9oKuwgmaiGHMNYG0btdg68kW2CyDFZyulXCfVAh8M9-lS90hA5GlKMt_WF4b8u5xr2AOYym7OdJvoWj9n4XvnFlml84PtrdeV963OVmqmSKeBEbSipbKT4ObYP/s1600/Photo_5B702354-A32D-4AA8-65A9-E6CAFA4714C9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrmrdp5ETjyCnYfl_FJ9oKuwgmaiGHMNYG0btdg68kW2CyDFZyulXCfVAh8M9-lS90hA5GlKMt_WF4b8u5xr2AOYym7OdJvoWj9n4XvnFlml84PtrdeV963OVmqmSKeBEbSipbKT4ObYP/s320/Photo_5B702354-A32D-4AA8-65A9-E6CAFA4714C9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649189052710722658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Pizza at Mellow Mushroom, delish!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEohmIdKcYWNKqHptebIMngHvD83qBPqHY01mgiBE331mChkow6F6bLSgCq58K5ZHU_Ut_SV9374QGBmNYx5LKhljTFQ30yM8_0LNC9H8qzm-A2TGFGEqOs4qr6JE2CpbNYcOEGOH7Lsv/s1600/Photo_51D9525E-4CBF-B1AC-0A13-675CA4F37E33.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEohmIdKcYWNKqHptebIMngHvD83qBPqHY01mgiBE331mChkow6F6bLSgCq58K5ZHU_Ut_SV9374QGBmNYx5LKhljTFQ30yM8_0LNC9H8qzm-A2TGFGEqOs4qr6JE2CpbNYcOEGOH7Lsv/s320/Photo_51D9525E-4CBF-B1AC-0A13-675CA4F37E33.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649181470019888578" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br />Yumi and Jen sit at a bench made for giants before heading to airport.<br /><br /></div></div></div>brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15201338406314210542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-2330246616210847072011-09-04T16:08:00.000-07:002011-09-04T16:22:45.993-07:00be inspired... Do something!
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margin-left:90.0pt; text-indent:-18.0pt; font-family:"Courier New";} @list l0:level4 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-style-link:"Note Level 4"; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:108.0pt; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:126.0pt; text-indent:-18.0pt; font-family:Wingdings;} @list l0:level5 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-style-link:"Note Level 5"; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:144.0pt; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:162.0pt; text-indent:-18.0pt; font-family:Wingdings;} @list l0:level6 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-style-link:"Note Level 6"; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:180.0pt; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:198.0pt; text-indent:-18.0pt; font-family:Symbol;} @list l0:level7 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-style-link:"Note Level 7"; mso-level-text:o; mso-level-tab-stop:216.0pt; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:234.0pt; text-indent:-18.0pt; font-family:"Courier New";} @list l0:level8 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-style-link:"Note Level 8"; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:252.0pt; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:270.0pt; text-indent:-18.0pt; font-family:Wingdings;} @list l0:level9 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-style-link:"Note Level 9"; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:288.0pt; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:306.0pt; text-indent:-18.0pt; font-family:Wingdings;} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bo</style><span style="font-family:verdana;">As if the Grammy’s and traveling to the UK weren’t enough, this year TP received yet another amazing opportunity to be part of the relatively new VH1 Do Something Awards Show hosted by Jane Lynch!</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">There were twelve of us in total that were scheduled to perform throughout the show.
<br />
<br /></span><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family:verdana;"> </p><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family:verdana;">A little about this awards show, “Do Something” is a wonderful organization that aims to recognize everyday individuals under 25 years who strive to make a difference in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This year... there were some amazing finalists whose focus ranged from promoting healthy habits and eating, to reaching out to military widows/widowers , to providing high school teenagers with physical and mental disabilities with an opportunity to be included.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was our great pleasure to be able to play as they strolled down the aisle to be recognized for their accomplishments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>=D<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> T</span>his was a star-studded event which left some of us in awe that this show was not more well-known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>From the moment we arrived, I zoomed in to the area reserved for celebrities with their picture reserving their seats from Mario Lopez, to Tyra Banks, to Will Ferrell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The tech day/rehearsal day as well as the day of were long hours spent getting private shows with performances from One Republic, Demi Lovato, and Foster the People among others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And the icing on the cake, was that our “waiting area” happened to be the place where the celebrity winners would just so happen to walk down to get their picture taken. EEK!</p><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" face="verdana" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; ">
<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1" face="verdana" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; "> </p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;">The hardest part of the gig?</p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;"> </p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;"> </p><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;">
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;">Restraining myself from not sneaking a close up picture of....</p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;"> </p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;"> </p><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb0-TfZP-h_YbvJTzRAmyBAcGT0wAY0HjtWSKjKCY-IRLo19n-hgvSlxc9zHHTyxri-G6dplYn6wQ1FVpS7-PamJiqBv6ixBpjhxfpnR0g-YZQjMLJLcZ61X4e7ZvmAIS5p9kIyTgtsCr/s1600/David%252BBeckham%252B2011%252BVH1%252BSomething%252BAwards%252BBackstage%252BV66Z3yR5CCHl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb0-TfZP-h_YbvJTzRAmyBAcGT0wAY0HjtWSKjKCY-IRLo19n-hgvSlxc9zHHTyxri-G6dplYn6wQ1FVpS7-PamJiqBv6ixBpjhxfpnR0g-YZQjMLJLcZ61X4e7ZvmAIS5p9kIyTgtsCr/s320/David%252BBeckham%252B2011%252BVH1%252BSomething%252BAwards%252BBackstage%252BV66Z3yR5CCHl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648646120376913186" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;">david beckham! This picture was LITERALLY taken with me right next to the photographer as Kevin and I were trying to get onto the stage.... They were blocking the staircase... *swoon*</p><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_CVcdCZeCerDyobzvLqCVoAQ0f3ioodi7wY3AX6M9Pa-vJLbUEd510URgy7XIYFpn56hJLaH9VSoaNm49JMZBk6oxRev1F4UCT7XEH-dvY8aCeckeqv2wadZwwFNPT_lGHFEsEuqEHEI/s1600/Screen%25252520shot%252525202011-08-26%25252520at%2525252012.03.41%25252520PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_CVcdCZeCerDyobzvLqCVoAQ0f3ioodi7wY3AX6M9Pa-vJLbUEd510URgy7XIYFpn56hJLaH9VSoaNm49JMZBk6oxRev1F4UCT7XEH-dvY8aCeckeqv2wadZwwFNPT_lGHFEsEuqEHEI/s320/Screen%25252520shot%252525202011-08-26%25252520at%2525252012.03.41%25252520PM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648648681107582002" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;">The okedo players making the entrance for the 5 finalists...
<br /></p><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAO4iBmnhTdPTCjFov0cmRMGLGwunrEhLXEuNOaaSIfVKLqVwd7rzGDE9S_U-dVm6TBKwFH_p3ke00PDqXjCp3Djr12DoY3c7LSOb2ky-sT6AP1gTIt24Fg68mlKLWoJavKrqH739IxGk/s1600/Screen%25252520shot%252525202011-08-26%25252520at%2525252012.08.50%25252520PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAO4iBmnhTdPTCjFov0cmRMGLGwunrEhLXEuNOaaSIfVKLqVwd7rzGDE9S_U-dVm6TBKwFH_p3ke00PDqXjCp3Djr12DoY3c7LSOb2ky-sT6AP1gTIt24Fg68mlKLWoJavKrqH739IxGk/s320/Screen%25252520shot%252525202011-08-26%25252520at%2525252012.08.50%25252520PM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648647697114853874" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;">The chu players on stage. =D
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;"> </p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; font-family: verdana;">In all seriousness, this truly was a wonderful experience, with the reminder of the value of doing good for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The winner of the show was Sarah Cronk who initiated a series of all-inclusive cheerleading troupes in high schools around the world .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Inspired by her older brother who has a diagnosis of Autism, but has shown her that the sky is the limit, Sarah acknowledges the potential hardships of high school and “fitting in” and has worked to raise awareness of schools everywhere that the world is big enough to accept people of all shapes, sizes, AND abilities. But all these finalists should be commended for their great work and efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No matter how big or small the venture, these individuals have touched lives and consequently will inspire others to make a difference in the world. </p> Courtney Deguchihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15912721002445386110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-46030581440519131442011-09-02T11:58:00.000-07:002011-09-02T12:10:01.367-07:00Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California Adventure!Day 1, August 4
<br />David and I left Los Angeles for my home town, Mt. Shasta, CA! I actually just came back from there on Monday after my parents' big taiko festival, ShastaYama. The past couple of days have been crazy trying to pack and get ready for the road. David's aunt Karen made us a yummy lunch of musubi, chicken, and sandwiches, but what I was really impressed by was the awesome ginger chocolate cookies she made for us. Thank you Aunt Karen! I want that recipe. We had a nice salmon and chicken sausage dinner from the bbq with my parents.
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<br />Day 2, August 5
<br />Loooong 12 hour drive to Coeur d'Alene, ID. We were pumped up about the first of many Indian curry lunches from Trader Joe's that Kris always makes on our tours. The first lunch was frickin' spicy!!! I think cumin was coming out of our pores. During the morning it looked like it was snowing, but to our disgust, it was actually a cloud of bugs which went on for a good 5 minutes. Our windshield was caked with nasty bug juice. Sorry bugs! Arrived in Coeur d'Alene in time for a nice Applebee's dinner. David enjoyed a quesadilla burger. We went to the stage, loaded in, started a soundcheck and everyone else arrived. Then we went back to Applebee's for a beer while everyone else was starved for dinner, but we forgot Liz at the venue! Sorry Liz! That was a first. Bad communication. We went back to get her. She was fine. Applebee's was fun. You can read her in-depth blog about the adventure below.
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<br />Day 3, August 6
<br />Got to sleep in a bit. Headed over to the venue to practice a couple of pieces. Walked around the "Art on the Green Festival". It was huge! Hundreds of vendors and the location was nice right on the Lake Coeur d'Alene. Performance went well. The first of many to come.
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<br />Day 4, August 7
<br />Bryan, Yuri, Brian, and Scott leave the hotel at like 3:30am. I said goodbye, then went back to sleep. David, Liz, and I drive to Ontario, OR on a small two way highway through Hell's Canyon. It was beautiful. Today we drove through the smallest population we've ever seen: 10 people! We arrived at the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple and had dinner with Reverend Fujimoto and Michelle.
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<br />Day 5, August 8
<br />Went running with Liz and made omelets afterwards. Good to feel healthy. We had our first workshops on Many Sides and Stage Presence with Sangha Taiko. It was fun and the group was very enthusiastic.
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<br />Day 6, August 9
<br />Went running and ate omelets again! Yay! David loves candy and sweets, so we put together his breakfast in a cardboard box with candy and coke and wrote "David's breakfast" on it. He had a good laugh. Had our second workshop with another group in the are with mainly kids. They did well.
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<br />Day 7, August 10
<br />Running and omelets! We ate 9 eggs each in the 3 mornings we were here! Thank you so much to the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple, Reverend Fujimoto, Michelle, and Sharmon for putting us up. We had the best time ever! David, Liz, and I picked up Jen and Yumi at the Boise Airport en route to Idaho Falls. We stopped at the Minidoka Internment Camp. My mom was born there. It was very surreal. I can't believe my family was forced to live out here in the middle of nowhere. Drove the rest of the way to Idaho Falls and checked in to our awesome hotel on the river! We went to the supermarket to stock up on breakfast foods and candy for David.
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<br />Day 8, August 11
<br />Met up with Fireman Bob from Snake River Taiko. He let us use his practice taiko for the workshop we taught to kids for the Snake River Festival which the presenter set up. Went to the theater and did our tech rehearsal and relaxed until the show started which went well. I always love doing lecture/demonstrations for kids. We went back to the hotel and watched "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" which is one of the funniest movies ever.
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<br />Day 9, August 12
<br />More of the same today. After the show we stayed up really late to see the meteor shower. David saw 14, Yumi and Jen saw about 8, and I only saw like 5. I blame it on my age. Went to sleep at like 4am.
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<br />Day 10, August 13
<br />The drive started off beautiful. Eastern Idaho and western Wyoming are very picturesque. We drove just south of Yellowstone and through Grand Teton. However, we went down a very steep 10% grade and the van brakes were burning and shaking very violently. I was in second gear and it was still bad. Fortunately, we made it down to Jackson Hole, WY and found a Big O Tires and replaced the brakes... thank god for gps and smart phones and civilization. We were very lucky to be able to make it to a town with a garage that was open on a Saturday! Drove carefully the rest of the way to Casper and met up with Scott and Brian for dinner. Ran over the set for the concert the next day.
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<br />Day 11, August 14
<br />Breakfast! Headed to the theater for our tech rehearsal. It went really fast. We actually had three hours to relax before the performance. A rarity! The concert was fun, but we all felt the altitude at the end. It was hard to get through Here We Go Now!! It was over 5,000 feet in Casper. We tried to go get a beer after the concert, but EVERYTHING closes at 10pm on Sunday. Bummer. We ended up getting frosties and fries at Wendy's which David was excited about of course.
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<br />Day 12, August 15
<br />Jen, Yumi, Brian, Liz, and Scott depart in the morning for the Denver airport. It's back to only David and I again! We met up with the presenter, Carolyn, for a yummy Mexican lunch then headed back to the theater to teach a couple of public workshops. We went to a Vietnamese restaurant for dinner. Nice to have some Asian food on the road.
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<br />Day 13, August 16
<br />Drove to Salt Lake City and met up with Bo and Kenshin Taiko for dinner, then taught them an Omiyage workshop. Thanks Bo and Kenshin Taiko for having us! We had fun!
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<br />Day 14, August 17
<br />Long drive to Reno. Stopped at Starbucks to do a little work and randomly bumped into Rieko, our contact for the Reno Taiko workshop. They were a fun bunch of people. Seemed like they all knew each other very well. Good job Reno Taiko! Thank you Leslie for housing us!
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<br />Day 15, August 18
<br />Drove to Stanford for the Taiko Conference. Taiko Conference is always crazy, but we had fun and it was good to see all those familiar faces and new faces.
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<br />Day 18, August 21
<br />Drove back to LA! Courtney and Jen joined us on the drive down with little sleep over the crazy weekend in order to make it back for the Nisei Week performance. Otsukaresama everyone!
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<br />Fun facts about the trip:
<br />-Miles driven: close to 4,000!
<br />-States passed through: California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.
<br />-Workshops taught: Eight. Ten including conference.
<br />-Smallest town population that we passed through: 10 somewhere in Wyoming.
<br />-Trader Joe's curry lunches consumed: 18! We had four people at once eating curry.
<br />-This was the first time in TP history where we left someone behind. Sorry Liz!
<br />-Maz and David spent about 61 hours in the van.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLidW7aqkjnJYQrECeMBMWHwGyPTwmMhovG1oF7715e68mgC7DIZM-Q6Hxm0pU0lWw0W_rhqBzeO_4X4eARXFQfLTxKw0MuLDUhob7fpbGyQXhHmwITp17BLZPiD5PqvahG57RoiZtbWg/s1600/DSCN2777.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLidW7aqkjnJYQrECeMBMWHwGyPTwmMhovG1oF7715e68mgC7DIZM-Q6Hxm0pU0lWw0W_rhqBzeO_4X4eARXFQfLTxKw0MuLDUhob7fpbGyQXhHmwITp17BLZPiD5PqvahG57RoiZtbWg/s320/DSCN2777.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647839002570175922" border="0" /></a>Drive from Coeur d'Alene to Ontario, OR
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOvYhPRiB-Qkdm8dfJP_JPGZ6IWNeLPLwyJy4HhjVIF9J2tjCGwLCVQtKHwQNyUG6HFso-2EKBX5ozY5JHlLEYI40EmJb1tUy6mdgNyhtYZJdAYg7tBvdVUvb80rEKjr55gtdPNYu05Y/s1600/DSCN2779.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOvYhPRiB-Qkdm8dfJP_JPGZ6IWNeLPLwyJy4HhjVIF9J2tjCGwLCVQtKHwQNyUG6HFso-2EKBX5ozY5JHlLEYI40EmJb1tUy6mdgNyhtYZJdAYg7tBvdVUvb80rEKjr55gtdPNYu05Y/s320/DSCN2779.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647839289107656034" border="0" /></a>Farmer's market in Ontario, OR! Melon heads.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GqrBXCEN9gSldVZzRf4zrc5gjisjDXwkEHekMH5xcA7kzKVivpzNUgGKZoIgWUwRU9jp7IRr1cbUr8lgWaLSZBYTfjcAD3Cb8Tnabrden_RJvgkCYxU8CvR-Us6PlM8oSlQEktSa3h0/s1600/DSCN2790.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GqrBXCEN9gSldVZzRf4zrc5gjisjDXwkEHekMH5xcA7kzKVivpzNUgGKZoIgWUwRU9jp7IRr1cbUr8lgWaLSZBYTfjcAD3Cb8Tnabrden_RJvgkCYxU8CvR-Us6PlM8oSlQEktSa3h0/s320/DSCN2790.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647839548447691954" border="0" /></a>Workshop with Sangha Taiko
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL9lZCrajsaNF-laCnN7acxRNhLrnaLX-texi_p-bFP8L1ZjQYlTIMyLMlvvhXF1VaCy8dKd-9H_aWkSSZZaLiVQ5V1DFfNfyW7JGQOx1s1s45q8LMqRV_9gKkFMbjR-9w4VoJJa-wyo/s1600/DSCN2802.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL9lZCrajsaNF-laCnN7acxRNhLrnaLX-texi_p-bFP8L1ZjQYlTIMyLMlvvhXF1VaCy8dKd-9H_aWkSSZZaLiVQ5V1DFfNfyW7JGQOx1s1s45q8LMqRV_9gKkFMbjR-9w4VoJJa-wyo/s320/DSCN2802.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647839741505212594" border="0" /></a>Maz's breakfast on the left, David's on the right
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwecqNZ3TvA3LwyH_cd1qmDaOqDVelQu4zGO6zW0YOXG8VJChLDyqPFfx97TtHXLGMMLIvkPVb3DU2gOsfSB6KmTMeHYdMB-PXhj2dkdVLCeYAKh3MU9yzS0QsdNrPiPRk3wiWmHTTS0/s1600/DSCN2821.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwecqNZ3TvA3LwyH_cd1qmDaOqDVelQu4zGO6zW0YOXG8VJChLDyqPFfx97TtHXLGMMLIvkPVb3DU2gOsfSB6KmTMeHYdMB-PXhj2dkdVLCeYAKh3MU9yzS0QsdNrPiPRk3wiWmHTTS0/s320/DSCN2821.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647839932560266850" border="0" /></a>Remnants of the Minidoka Internment Camp
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKMJX5i1h20Ri2ZKVgSFWFa64w4OzD3LL0FdKYOwNo9Axb3jkuyLFogqy_qak8yrGv3pi8ioZE8vkKEaFfchzaYXbN_boSvNa1IUdw0XNUTQyeGpTWvM99tMFfKUq6opWWlfmE2Qi8wQ/s1600/DSCN2826.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKMJX5i1h20Ri2ZKVgSFWFa64w4OzD3LL0FdKYOwNo9Axb3jkuyLFogqy_qak8yrGv3pi8ioZE8vkKEaFfchzaYXbN_boSvNa1IUdw0XNUTQyeGpTWvM99tMFfKUq6opWWlfmE2Qi8wQ/s320/DSCN2826.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647840211170425138" border="0" /></a>Overlooking Jackson Holy, WY right before our scary brake malfunction
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t9oGA6oYdvrIFuxYn5rrUJvIwLGtPS-GX2m8ts41iIuPrKpbSzXlkg_8mnuDL0p6TbnwsnFmIOGoM9VJEggby1DjF_rqi2vV-6hTODA8s2RXoEWxH23GIL-YMPt9IrC6rI66Z_cYF3I/s1600/311109_2383801553602_1207630953_32921475_8153116_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t9oGA6oYdvrIFuxYn5rrUJvIwLGtPS-GX2m8ts41iIuPrKpbSzXlkg_8mnuDL0p6TbnwsnFmIOGoM9VJEggby1DjF_rqi2vV-6hTODA8s2RXoEWxH23GIL-YMPt9IrC6rI66Z_cYF3I/s320/311109_2383801553602_1207630953_32921475_8153116_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647840512202731090" border="0" /></a>Viewing shooting stars taken from Jen's camera. Looks like the day doesn't it?
<br /></div>Mazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03778091783753822012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-28634450649744918002011-08-31T22:57:00.000-07:002011-08-31T23:38:39.618-07:00Higashi Obon 2011Wow, I can't believe Summer is almost over! We have been pretty busy over the last few months with a variety of gigs. On July 30, we performed at the Higashi Honganji Obon. I really look forward to this gig every year not only because it is held at our home temple, but because almost all of the TP members usually attend the event and perform. Since our group now consists of 19 members, it is really hard to have a gig where everyone can attend. I feel that Higashi Obon is one of those rare performances where almost all of the members get to perform together and to me, these kind of performances are the best.
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<br />Here are some pictures from Higashi Obon!
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<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114821564668148213567/HigashiObonFestival03">https://picasaweb.google.com/114821564668148213567/HigashiObonFestival03</a>
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<br />Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10229485756760363727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-66594951522150117242011-08-30T20:05:00.000-07:002011-08-30T20:10:57.407-07:00Nishi Obon<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">On July 10, we had a joint performance with Kitsune and the Chibis at the Nishi Hongwanji Obon. We met early at Higashi to run through some of the songs together before we headed over to Nishi. The Kitsune and Chibi parents were a huge help in transporting drums and people over to Nishi, so Thank You Kitsune and Chibi parents for all of your help! </span></p><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Once we arrived at Nishi, we unloaded all of the equipment and got ready for the performance. Like most Obons, it was REALLY hot, but luckily the stage we performed on was covered so we were in the shade. There was also a nice covered seating area for people to sit and watch performances throughout the day. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">
<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">The performance went well! That was the first time I performed with Kitsune and the Chibis outside of Rhythmic Relations so it was a lot of fun performing with them. They all did a really great job. We had a few slight mishaps with setting drums, which included some of the drums being set too close causing Sean and Kyle from Kitsune to almost hit each other and Jenny playing Expanding with her set backwards, but it all worked out ok. I don't think the audience could tell. Overall, it was a fun and successful performance. Thanks to Nishi for having us!</span></div>kharadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467719398311245392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-75966704350046486092011-08-30T14:22:00.000-07:002011-08-30T14:27:43.511-07:00Adventures in Coeur d'AleneThe first stop on our glorious tour through the American Pacific Northwest was beautiful and green Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. This is where I had the rare chance to really get to know some wonderful ladies during the black of night in a new children’s recreation center. I realize this sounds like an odd experience. So, allow me to explain further…
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<br />Bryan, Brian, Yuri and I arrived at North Idaho College, after an afternoon of air and compact car travel, at about 9:30pm on August 5th. We pulled up to the outdoor stage just as David and Maz were sound-checking the last piece in preparation for the show that was to take place the following day. It looked like they were wrapping up, so we left everything in the car and went out to help. At the end of the sound check, we worked together to put all of the equipment into the recreation center, directly behind the stage, for the evening.
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<br />Hunger set in midway through clean-up, and we decided to get some dinner as soon as we were through. I remember mentioning during that discussion, probably because I was delirious and not using my brain filter, that I had had the urge to use the ladies room all afternoon, but with no success. Travel woes… Finally, as the last few pieces of equipment were being tucked away into our storage hallway, I thought I felt success coming on.
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<br />“David,” I said jokingly as I ran into the ladies room, “I’m going to use the restroom. Don’t leave without me!” As you probably guessed, I had no success. But that’s not all.
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<br />As I exited and re-entered the empty storage hallway, I thought I heard voices at the back of the center. I walked back into the dark area only to find the voices of the ladies who would later be my heroes. “They must already be outside,” I thought as walked to the door.
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<br />When I got there, the car and Taiko Project van were gone! I thought I saw the taillights of the van exiting the parking lot, but I couldn’t be sure. Of course, my phone was in the car. I ran to the tech guy nearest me and asked if he had Maz or Bryan’s cell phone number. He did not.
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<br />This is normally when the adrenaline would build up and one’s fight or flight instincts might kick in. If this happened to me, I didn’t feel it. I felt like a sleepy zombie as I wandered back into the recreation center to escape the bugs and plan my escape. I thought hard, and finally remembered that there was a gig sheet, with the necessary phone numbers, in the merchandise box in the hallway. Unluckily for me, the merchandise box was at the bottom of the equipment pile. “Oh well,” I thought as I began to dig it out.
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<br />As I was digging, the ladies I heard before came over and offered their assistance. I said I was fine, and that I was just looking for a document. I didn’t want to tell them I was in a bit of a pickle. I remembered, however, that once I had the phone numbers, I’d need to find a phone. And, they started to ask why I was the only one left. So I gave in and explained what I was doing. All three of them immediately offered their cell phones for me to use, and kept me company with great conversation while I dug. It was then that I felt it appropriate to laugh with them at this rare situation.
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<br />I will never forget the surprise and disbelief in the “WHAT!” I heard in Maz’s voice as I told him what had happened. He immediately turned around and was back, along with David and Yuri, within 10 minutes. I also will never forget the hug and apology (it was as if I had almost died!) from David as he jumped out of the van with a scared look on his face.
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<br />This was actually not a bad experience, but one that I thought I needed to share. After all, almost immediately after this most interesting part of the trip, a tweet to the world announced the story for all to read. I figured I better explain a bit further. I feel lucky to have met and chatted with these three wonderful ladies and two unique tech guys as I waited for my teammates to return. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to experience the North Idaho College green at night. And, I feel extra lucky to have great teammates who came back for me! They could have very well ignored the call. ☺ Overall, it was a great evening. I suggest everyone try it sometime.
<br />Liz Ishidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14327831799562868047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-39156356000648781662011-08-29T21:53:00.000-07:002011-08-31T23:32:31.413-07:00TAIKOPROJECT Ventures Out to the U.K.!
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZ3FPN7ny2eXgf5WjibmcF2gnstuNr5IBFrfXG6RCoJ64XU8afoP7V9tL2WsUFqs_Z9DRNKML8Y504PDBTUtRZvRybW5yW6plRRmIx6cPJsQL0JNJl2dofg1DzrcaLe2ubX3IffTwoOg/s1600/266938_10150712446935577_680640576_19491557_2272994_o.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZ3FPN7ny2eXgf5WjibmcF2gnstuNr5IBFrfXG6RCoJ64XU8afoP7V9tL2WsUFqs_Z9DRNKML8Y504PDBTUtRZvRybW5yW6plRRmIx6cPJsQL0JNJl2dofg1DzrcaLe2ubX3IffTwoOg/s320/266938_10150712446935577_680640576_19491557_2272994_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646511123022481426" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Hi Everyone!
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<br />Hope everyone out there is doing well! And for those who had a chance to go out to the North American Taiko Conference, I hope you enjoyed your time there as well! This summer has been pretty busy for TP with Rhythmic Relations, taiko conference, obons, AND our tour out to the United Kingdom!
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<br />This summer we had the opportunity to go out and tour in Europe. Bryan, Maz, Jen, Courtney and myself headed out to the U.K. in July shortly after Rhythmic R</span><span style="font-size:85%;">elations. The tour consisted of LOTS of travel time on the plane and buses, as well as watching other taiko groups perform in the Taiko Festival. Once we landed in Heathrow, we drove to Exeter to meet members of Kagemusha Taiko. We finally met Jonathan Kirby, the founder of Kagemusha Taiko. We also had the opportunity to sha</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhImZ9Wr3XAIOfpAZB1oke939SpWly9oZEsJixwwfNueCh42teWI2NonLOqPSyBDHR6QB8mer_zWCGgHcv0bTZXBLDS2u6Asfwm7nWldxtF08iKc-kws0gTpmIquye-y1_l6ztQMPJvc/s1600/271834_10150712451255577_680640576_19491651_6262218_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhImZ9Wr3XAIOfpAZB1oke939SpWly9oZEsJixwwfNueCh42teWI2NonLOqPSyBDHR6QB8mer_zWCGgHcv0bTZXBLDS2u6Asfwm7nWldxtF08iKc-kws0gTpmIquye-y1_l6ztQMPJvc/s320/271834_10150712451255577_680640576_19491651_6262218_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646512044982236242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">re the stage with Kagemusha Taiko during our performance which was also part of the Taiko Festival in Exeter.
<br />Although our trip in Exeter was short, we had many great adventures that included trying out all types of beers, enjoying the famous "cream tea," leading two workshops, and meeting people from different sides of the country! Thank you Jonathan, Oliver and the Kagemusha family for making TP feel so welcomed! We hope to see you all again soon! </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEyUU-EI1FtZ_inRvin89rXHorDxWnOlcI_-ZhOx0OpU6I5mbUvTsp2vZ_z9ZiVfQLkU_YrWRGjIrZs-9RfA_6T8FkROk2cqRpilubhOKryamVoz1wBQdzgEUtBg7QqKNVf0oixuK8wc/s1600/277479_10150712467740577_680640576_19492080_3377146_o.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEyUU-EI1FtZ_inRvin89rXHorDxWnOlcI_-ZhOx0OpU6I5mbUvTsp2vZ_z9ZiVfQLkU_YrWRGjIrZs-9RfA_6T8FkROk2cqRpilubhOKryamVoz1wBQdzgEUtBg7QqKNVf0oixuK8wc/s320/277479_10150712467740577_680640576_19492080_3377146_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647275046972357346" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-1824366010932556602011-08-29T11:54:00.001-07:002011-08-29T12:03:10.811-07:00Nisei Week Closing Ceremonies!On August 21, we performed for the first time at the Nisei Week Closing Ceremonies in the middle of 1st Street in Little Tokyo. We had a little bit of fun rearranging some of our pieces to perform "in the round" with audience members around us 360 degrees. We did The Stroll circling around our Ohiradaiko, and then a first-time ever arrangement of Expanding dubbed "Circular Expanding" with everyone arranged in a circle facing outwards!
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<br />As usual, there were a ton of photographers there. Here are a few photos that were posted recently on Flickr--courtesy of Grant Palmer and Albert Lien:
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afI1YqAfRc8/TlviPKZRnfI/AAAAAAAACi0/YF0Jz3fqDVk/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-08-29%2Bat%2B11.52.56%2BAM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afI1YqAfRc8/TlviPKZRnfI/AAAAAAAACi0/YF0Jz3fqDVk/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-08-29%2Bat%2B11.52.56%2BAM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646355307955330546" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-SePkDdP4I/TlviOnISLHI/AAAAAAAACis/Y9fewTq5IZI/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-08-29%2Bat%2B11.52.25%2BAM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-SePkDdP4I/TlviOnISLHI/AAAAAAAACis/Y9fewTq5IZI/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-08-29%2Bat%2B11.52.25%2BAM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646355298488822898" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zhF6KAHtwE/TlviOXwbbrI/AAAAAAAACik/Ky-_Yj_YPnE/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-08-29%2Bat%2B11.52.04%2BAM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zhF6KAHtwE/TlviOXwbbrI/AAAAAAAACik/Ky-_Yj_YPnE/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-08-29%2Bat%2B11.52.04%2BAM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646355294362234546" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cvO_Ys-cLiE/TlviOE5F1AI/AAAAAAAACic/vH2lPwQw_RQ/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-08-29%2Bat%2B11.51.09%2BAM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cvO_Ys-cLiE/TlviOE5F1AI/AAAAAAAACic/vH2lPwQw_RQ/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-08-29%2Bat%2B11.51.09%2BAM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646355289298293762" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UDYMvzfiVdM/TlviNxlSCKI/AAAAAAAACiU/h90tvSkCmKk/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-08-29%2Bat%2B11.50.46%2BAM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UDYMvzfiVdM/TlviNxlSCKI/AAAAAAAACiU/h90tvSkCmKk/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-08-29%2Bat%2B11.50.46%2BAM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646355284114933922" /></a>
<br />Bryan Yamamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12202777380265760935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-82086836670655390372011-08-29T07:53:00.000-07:002011-08-29T08:00:46.929-07:00Weddings Weddings WeddingsIt is definitely a summer of love as TAIKOPROJECT has worked to make a few people's special day perfect with our unique energy. TP has recently had the pleasure of performing at two weddings this past month in Garden Grove and most recently, Redondo Beach. It's always interesting to see how each bride and groom envisions taiko as a part of their wedding day, whether it is a performance for the guests at the reception or more recently, as live music during the processional and recessional. Glad we could be a part of such wonderful memories for the newlyweds and their guests - CONGRATULATIONS!Darren Endohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02964864590521264448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-9263330632801083802011-08-26T16:09:00.001-07:002011-08-26T16:22:20.746-07:00Stand Bags!We just received a new custom set of stand bags from Toni Yagami for our Miyoshi Odaiko stand. I designed it with Toni so that we can pack it up and load it up for gigs quick and fast, and hopefully keep damage on it to a minimum!
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<br />Here is our Miyoshi Odaiko stand put together.
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<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEJ-DcfQ4r8/TlgozU516AI/AAAAAAAAChk/6ks2HG1hgOs/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEJ-DcfQ4r8/TlgozU516AI/AAAAAAAAChk/6ks2HG1hgOs/s320/DSC_0024.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645306995158673410" /></a>
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<br />As some of you who have Miyoshi Odaiko stands (made by the inimitable Mark Miyoshi of Mt. Shasta, CA) know, his Odaiko stands break down into two main parts. Like so...
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WC30-JoDYTs/TlgpI6z0JMI/AAAAAAAAChs/duUmf-ncemk/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WC30-JoDYTs/TlgpI6z0JMI/AAAAAAAAChs/duUmf-ncemk/s320/DSC_0025.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645307366111192258" /></a>
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<br />So, obviously, two custom bags were needed. Here's the first one, a small bag for the "cradle" or "heart" piece of the stand
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<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rI4OLy6UR-U/TlgpWQRsb9I/AAAAAAAACh0/ERV9QDgcFus/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rI4OLy6UR-U/TlgpWQRsb9I/AAAAAAAACh0/ERV9QDgcFus/s320/DSC_0026.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645307595211960274" /></a>
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<br />The second bag is for the four legs. Toni and I went back and forth on how to design this one--looking at bags for "EZ Ups" and trying to figure out how to best make it work. Here the legs slide in and fit together snugly.
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<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZp1XpmAfKI/TlgprgHgbOI/AAAAAAAACh8/m3BId0OmtXw/s1600/DSC_0028.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZp1XpmAfKI/TlgprgHgbOI/AAAAAAAACh8/m3BId0OmtXw/s320/DSC_0028.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645307960241450210" /></a>
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<br />The issue was the casters. As you can see they swing around in a circle, and stick out a few inches, so the opening to the bag needed to widen out a bit in order to make sure that the bag could still close with the casters.
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<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RUSTyAbQb0o/Tlgp-7IexfI/AAAAAAAACiE/Lq6wWpxuFCI/s1600/DSC_0029.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RUSTyAbQb0o/Tlgp-7IexfI/AAAAAAAACiE/Lq6wWpxuFCI/s320/DSC_0029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645308293910808050" /></a>
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<br />But the bags work great! Everything fits and now we can transport our Miyoshi Odaiko stand with ease and grace.
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<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XiLUO_lZ8Gk/TlgqL9aCphI/AAAAAAAACiM/MXpITQr1RR4/s1600/DSC_0030.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XiLUO_lZ8Gk/TlgqL9aCphI/AAAAAAAACiM/MXpITQr1RR4/s320/DSC_0030.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645308517859632658" /></a>
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<br />Thanks Toni! I still have to post photos of the shime stand bags and okedo stand bags...I'll do that soon, but seriously, I think all stands and taiko drums should come with a Toni-made bag when you first get it!
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<br />-Bryan
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<br />Bryan Yamamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12202777380265760935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-44545992073125838632011-08-18T09:28:00.000-07:002011-08-18T09:38:15.133-07:00Helping Mayor Yamauchi Celebrate (x3!)On Friday, August 5th, Taikoproject was lucky enough to help Mayor of Alhambra, the Honorable Gary Yamauchi, celebrate three momentous occasions: his second term as mayor, his birthday, and the 20th Anniversary of Tri-Star, one of the largest independent vending companies in Southern California that he founded and owns. It was a triple celebration!<div>
<br /></div><div>The performers of the evening were Andrew, Courtney, Darren, Emily, and me. It would have almost been an ABCDE ordering of performers, but Courtney and I are both "Cs." So Courtney declared I would have to be Bandice for the night to fulfill the alphabetical ordering. (Why not Bourtney?)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>We performed Many Sides at the celebration, and the event coordinators (one of whom was the lovely and amazing Ms. June Kuramoto) were kind enough to have provided us with seats at one of the tables so we could have dinner and stay for the event.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>We listened to Congresswoman of the 32nd District Judy Chu pay her respects to the Mayor and his accomplishments, and sat down to a very appetizing and yum prime rib dinner. Mayor Yamauchi also made some remarks, and all in all it was a fun night for us. The City of Alhambra has such a great mayor and a great community, and the five of us were so glad to have been a part of it all that night.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Special thanks to June Kuramoto for all of her help and a big congratulations to Mayor Yamauchi!</div>Candaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765203375386988394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-70070128906944113152011-06-27T21:42:00.002-07:002011-06-27T23:09:52.927-07:00TP + Vicci Martinez = The Voice Amazingness<h3>TAIKOPROJECT Rocks the Socks Off NBC's "The Voice"</h3><br /><p>Did you happen to check out NBC's "The Voice" last Tuesday, June 21st? If you did, you may have noticed six war-painted burly bodies rocking out on okedos to Vicci Martinez's killer performance of Florence and the Machine's "The Dog Days Are Over".</p><br /><p>Kickin' it on stage with Vicci, The Voice's sultry blues singer from Tacoma, Washington, TAIKOPROJECT put the beat into judges Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, and Cee Lo Green with the heartbeat of our okedo while Vicci belted out words that brought the audience to their feet. In a spectacle that coach Cee Lo deemed "The most powerful performance of the night," Vicci and the TAIKOPROJECT locked down a rock-and-roll beat while our warrior paint and Vicci's up-do put the soul into the song.</p><br /><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gc60m9yw36w_XJufVDzg4-ugZiUKx4trOI1JjIUWsljZUuyrX8Jb23OKzM8Lnqu0HKf8FhTmWQrHq5c0pXHYnn1hAxBZw1_pVl6vvv7c9uiZFkQDMeSL5QcqwzpV6RKbzDYiJteSJ7Y/s1600/TP-Voice-Performance-Live.bmp" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gc60m9yw36w_XJufVDzg4-ugZiUKx4trOI1JjIUWsljZUuyrX8Jb23OKzM8Lnqu0HKf8FhTmWQrHq5c0pXHYnn1hAxBZw1_pVl6vvv7c9uiZFkQDMeSL5QcqwzpV6RKbzDYiJteSJ7Y/s400/TP-Voice-Performance-Live.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623142398499853458" /></a></center><br /><p>Meeting Vicci was amazingly enjoyable because she was so down to earth and personable! It was extremely refreshing to work with someone who was engaging and excited to have us on stage with her for such a huge event. I personally hope she goes all the way and takes the finals, and I know the rest of the cast feels the same way.</p><br /><p>Although being on stage with Vicci in front of huge stars such as Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine left me a bit starstruck, I think I enjoyed the process as much as the actual performance. Getting ready, rehearsing on stage with direction from our choreographer Hi-Hat (the same choreographer we worked with for the Grammy's gig), and watching all the contestants prepare for the show was just as fulfilling for me as actually being on stage performing. We got professional make-up artists to slather war paint all over our arms and faces, we ate some of the best craft services food I've had in a while, and we even had our own air-conditioned green room!</p><br /><p>We arrived at Warner Bros Studios on Tuesday and were taken immediately to get painted. We had no idea it was going to take approximately 45min per person... The result was well worth it though. Check out our red carpet Hollywood shots!</p><br /><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7ZT-Vg0udULej3r70wNfgtfSy7j6_fy3_S_pjyu_C22M0fzWfZXUZzyR__9Li7L0K40l_vST3KrdVBiQeN0fxnAxQ8BPkUtkRu7mTfszcbfjgOz8o9RPBn9lJ482kcHfx2mLJtUP-gU/s1600/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7ZT-Vg0udULej3r70wNfgtfSy7j6_fy3_S_pjyu_C22M0fzWfZXUZzyR__9Li7L0K40l_vST3KrdVBiQeN0fxnAxQ8BPkUtkRu7mTfszcbfjgOz8o9RPBn9lJ482kcHfx2mLJtUP-gU/s400/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623140121944774402" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxkD3Vp3aLy1KtEF9APqvEJDa8pnJxkjF2wuJFPMhHFzWHtrrmZBPVGxjXQPtGRQPPY31RGm86PJBjduoak30zfg2pC7KA5Qab5wERRKtoT-4SdDZqVV8mpOOacvbgxGQc3-3VcfAG7k/s1600/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxkD3Vp3aLy1KtEF9APqvEJDa8pnJxkjF2wuJFPMhHFzWHtrrmZBPVGxjXQPtGRQPPY31RGm86PJBjduoak30zfg2pC7KA5Qab5wERRKtoT-4SdDZqVV8mpOOacvbgxGQc3-3VcfAG7k/s400/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623140414877754178" /></a></center><br /><p>And on to the individual shots. Give me some close ups!</p><br /><table><tbody><tr> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8R3h-35tMF7QfftsQJ_l14krSi91f3PqvV57Q3XLTIw8L3rBcqnhggQeYV-puRlpJGQ-jT3m-HjxaN7dYiH_Pq8Y_9qNOFTcwiEhOH5H0z2U24yR2nDFdPzRWSH20y3BiMf9QNOhD-s/s1600/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8R3h-35tMF7QfftsQJ_l14krSi91f3PqvV57Q3XLTIw8L3rBcqnhggQeYV-puRlpJGQ-jT3m-HjxaN7dYiH_Pq8Y_9qNOFTcwiEhOH5H0z2U24yR2nDFdPzRWSH20y3BiMf9QNOhD-s/s400/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623140684353015858" /></a></td> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOuD8d_1AWMgRcS8aX6eIH5VzfK67MxXpGss2MZS9OHn-uLMqpNOREjTtXatOWKJPamOeX1X48cTdiKeaDDa9X9vPteAn3hQd44rwqZSdI_p_oAE0K8T9R_EIM-5pfRYmatpDxWQ43Co/s1600/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOuD8d_1AWMgRcS8aX6eIH5VzfK67MxXpGss2MZS9OHn-uLMqpNOREjTtXatOWKJPamOeX1X48cTdiKeaDDa9X9vPteAn3hQd44rwqZSdI_p_oAE0K8T9R_EIM-5pfRYmatpDxWQ43Co/s400/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623140801863735538" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><center>Josh</center><center><br /></center></td><td><center>Andrew</center><center><br /></center></td></tr><tr> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV16W8-COzqR6iGNh9Ulb9BQWA8UsHvIPwgioSimS9OTUECx_Yl6PXbAyyXpMGFZBiQzXJv_3-p116PJXZcHGFTvQisbd2YRAr8K1YXpZdnnw2oWUonw_GbntaS01al5DKBasUVQubHOA/s1600/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV16W8-COzqR6iGNh9Ulb9BQWA8UsHvIPwgioSimS9OTUECx_Yl6PXbAyyXpMGFZBiQzXJv_3-p116PJXZcHGFTvQisbd2YRAr8K1YXpZdnnw2oWUonw_GbntaS01al5DKBasUVQubHOA/s400/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623141454066663698" /></a></td> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCSkBeNL8OxxgidxroGRydX2H2l4L-NBbm58U9oWjxbz3jpZvN51f7viR6dFsKRbVQRNC8gBXtAWXY8LXjLW89KnD8KJQtld6x7Lima-bot6uuUcQmHNjXEz6WIfr_RVh-x4dcWU7bj8/s1600/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCSkBeNL8OxxgidxroGRydX2H2l4L-NBbm58U9oWjxbz3jpZvN51f7viR6dFsKRbVQRNC8gBXtAWXY8LXjLW89KnD8KJQtld6x7Lima-bot6uuUcQmHNjXEz6WIfr_RVh-x4dcWU7bj8/s400/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623141344789406978" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><center>Maz</center><center><br /></center></td><td><center>David</center><center><br /></center></td></tr><tr> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFORcxa34LavwoNSOyRri16ZTeqWzhy6rkp9WRIx63p9Ut8Rv5o4X1P-rxVQ05NJZJ6udgny13lwkYbn0diSlFw_Nw4fiuT6WFC4U1yb1vfQGeTIzCa8XsawljcNcjw7O2S1YDz_DR6R0/s1600/photo+%25287%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFORcxa34LavwoNSOyRri16ZTeqWzhy6rkp9WRIx63p9Ut8Rv5o4X1P-rxVQ05NJZJ6udgny13lwkYbn0diSlFw_Nw4fiuT6WFC4U1yb1vfQGeTIzCa8XsawljcNcjw7O2S1YDz_DR6R0/s400/photo+%25287%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623141692080010178" /></a></td> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Kwis5ago_iSiQPpsbNP9iyMYAcpXSR8N47qZxWhtfuVd4tiUbAVev9uj3oHFxOc0cbAo_3EoqPDoh3sW8mBgZaANOQaYqHSdcs6aOnRQWm6tn5T9QSLYutXu7hTpAFA5qKH5qxW7OtM/s1600/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Kwis5ago_iSiQPpsbNP9iyMYAcpXSR8N47qZxWhtfuVd4tiUbAVev9uj3oHFxOc0cbAo_3EoqPDoh3sW8mBgZaANOQaYqHSdcs6aOnRQWm6tn5T9QSLYutXu7hTpAFA5qKH5qxW7OtM/s400/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623141876002970274" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><center>Bryan</center><center><br /></center></td><td><center>Kevin</center><center><br /></center></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Here's the gang in front of Warner Bros Studios, getting ready to go on.</p><br /><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4A81801BPSfXjNbf04MJ8o_fWcEM8ZsajpX33_34qH_ykgHXIecXOH3l93SbH3kX02szE7_xAl31LamUJfyiJIUrv46NRW8CkYfQO9LpKAXzpcuJ36J0vDsocUhIIRuXgiQ_FCAP_AnQ/s1600/photo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4A81801BPSfXjNbf04MJ8o_fWcEM8ZsajpX33_34qH_ykgHXIecXOH3l93SbH3kX02szE7_xAl31LamUJfyiJIUrv46NRW8CkYfQO9LpKAXzpcuJ36J0vDsocUhIIRuXgiQ_FCAP_AnQ/s400/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623145977624406130" /></a></center><br /><br /><p>After five full days of rehearsals, costume fitting, and militaristic marching, we went on stage with Vicci and absolutely blew the house up. Vicci even borrowed two of our smaller okedos which she used to jam out and get that added rocker effect. I think it worked quite well - what do you think? Check out the video below and see if you can spot who's who!</p><br /><p></p><center><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y2d7tj85_Qg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></center><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p>This performance was special for me because I absolutely love movies, TV, and entertainment, so being on the Warner Bros sets was like putting together peanut butter and chocolate - it just felt right. I'm going to remember this one for a long, long time :) </p>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04469556807383191497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-30404124103379776902011-06-27T12:19:00.001-07:002011-07-02T19:43:38.003-07:00TAIKOPROJECT:(re)generation in Folsom, CAHi there, folks! TAIKOPROJECT is just finishing up a whirlwind week of taiko, which culminated in our Rhythmic Relations 2011 concert on the JACCC Plaza. But...that is neither here, nor there. I'm here to tell you about our trip to Folsom to perform at the brand new performing arts center, <a href="http://www.threestages.net/" target="_blank">Three Stages at Folsom Lake College</a>. It's an absolutely gorgeous venue in which it was a pleasure to perform. And...it was my first (re)generation show! Oh, thank you, thank you -- your applause is too kind.<br /><br /><div>On the evening before the show, Andrew, Emily, and I assisted Bryan in offering a workshop to some of the concert attendees in the Black Box, an intimate space that was perfect for teaching. They learned about basic playing technique, some of the patterns that we frequently use, and even learned a drill with multiple parts that they could play together as an ensemble. Afterward, the four of us performed a shortened version of Tsunami, which had everyone smiling, nodding...and covering their ears.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day, after the rest of the group had arrived, we did our tech rehearsal and run-through for the show. Feeling prepared, we took a break to eat, get changed, and allow everyone to indulge in preconcert rituals. For this show, my preconcert ritual involved pulling a shime with Kevin. If I might accommodate my ego just a bit, I have to say we did an amazing job. The show that night was a great success, with our workshop friends in the audience along with the renowned Tiffany Tamaribuchi, sensei of <a href="http://www.sactaiko.org/" target="_blank">Sacramento Taiko Dan</a>. Thanks to everyone who came to the show!</div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; ">The Adventure</span><br />I would be remiss in not relating the details of our trip up to Folsom, because what started off as an ordinary (albeit long) drive up north turned into an ordeal of statistically improbable and comical proportions. It's quite lengthy, but if you're curious, keep reading.<div><br /></div><div>It began one temperate Thursday morning. To avoid taking up parking spaces at Higashi, Andrew drove to my house and Bryan and Emily picked us up from there. We drove to Higashi to load equipment into the trailer and then set out on the trip north.</div><div><br /></div><div>All was going swimmingly until we noticed signs mentioning a fire somewhere near Valencia. At that point, we hit remarkable traffic because several lanes of the highway had to be closed. But...this is Los Angeles, so that's not particularly out of the ordinary. I've occasionally been caught in traffic here at 2 am.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once we managed to get past the bottleneck, we stopped off for some lunch at...CHICK-FIL-A! I could barely contain my excitement. For those of you who aren't familiar, I recommend you to do some research with your taste buds. We enjoyed a delicious lunch before getting some gas and setting out again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Several hours later driving north on I-5, the car started lurching forward before intermittently losing power. Eventually, the car simply wouldn't respond any more, so Bryan pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. He and I (carefully) got out and took a look under the hood to see if we could diagnose the problem. We checked the oil, which happened to be low, but Bryan had a stash in his car, so we added some. Everything else seemed to be normal, and after checking under the chassis, we tried to start the car again.</div><div><br /></div><div>No dice. It wouldn't even turn on! Now, those of you who are in the know may be thinking at this moment, "But David, didn't you study Mechanical Engineering?" And it is at this point that I would like to let you know that I'm not that kind of ME, so I wasn't particularly helpful. Bryan called AAA and after about an hour of figuring out where we were, what rental options were available (that could pull a trailer full of equipment), and how to get a tow truck out to us, we had come up with a plan.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bryan and Andrew would take a taxi to the nearest U-Haul to get a truck that could pull the trailer. Emily and I would go with the tow truck to take Bryan's car to the nearest repair shop, which happened to be about an hour north in downtown Stockton. After waiting another 30-40 minutes and beginning to wonder if either taxi or tow truck would actually come, they both showed up at the same time and we said our temporary farewells to each other and to our poor trailer.</div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Bryan and Andrew acquire vehicles</span></div>After the taxi stopped about 125 meters down past us on the highway, Bryan and Andrew carefully traversed the shoulder of the I-5 (at night, mind you) to head to the U-Haul. Once they got in, the taxi driver, in his best rendition of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Taxi" target="_blank">Crazy Taxi</a> proceeded to pull a U-turn at one of the areas normally designated for Highway Patrol officers. They made it to the rental office, where the proprietors had stayed open just for us (thank you!) and managed to get a truck that could pull the trailer.<div><br /></div><div>After contacting Maz's uncle Jerry, who allowed us to borrow his car, they were able to return to the trailer and get it hitched up, while Andrew drove the car up north to extract Emily and I from Stockton. Bryan drove solo with the trailer and experienced an uncanny amount of exit closures, blockages, and other obstacles to getting to our final destination. I can only imagine the frustration...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Emily and David are not in Kansas anymore...</span></div>Once Bryan's 4Runner was saddled up on top of the tow truck, we set out on the long ride north to Stockton. Driving a tow truck always seemed like a solitary life to me, and now I know that that's only half true. It does seem like a lot of alone time in the truck, but the radio chatter that we heard was really funny. I guess these guys have to entertain themselves somehow.<div><br /></div><div>By the time we got to the repair shop, it was already closed for the night. We had the keys to the car, but couldn't take them with us since the shop would need them in the morning. Searching around the perimeter of the shop for a place to hide the keys, we didn't find anywhere useful, but did notice suspicious holes in the windows and doors of the shop. Hopefully they were made by rocks...</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, I spied a small empty box of fuses on the top of a trash can, so I grabbed that and put in the keys. We then tossed it inside a gate into a bush and took some notes so we could tell the shop people where to find it. We wanted to wait at a Starbucks for Andrew, so we used Emily's phone to locate one. We followed the map to the location marked and ended up walking through a park that, at night at least, seemed like something out of a Tim Burton film filled with questionable characters. After skirting a couple of large, ornery dogs and shadowy figures standing on corners, we finally found ourselves...in the middle of a residential neighborhood.</div><div><br /></div><div>We happened to have chosen a Starbucks with an incorrect map address, so, choosing another one, we set out again to try to find a reasonably safe place to wait. When we arrived, we saw that it had already closed, so we went next door to the Cold Stone to use the restroom and have some ice cream. After another brief run in with a woman who seemed, well...not all there, we decided to find a bench outside in the atrium to sit and wait. Only a few minutes had passed before I heard from the top of a nearby parking structure, "I'm going to jump!" at which point I began to wonder if we were in some kind of dark comedy of errors. Shortly thereafter, we got a call that the cavalry had come directly: Andrew was there to pick us up!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">To the Hotel!</span></div>Andrew, Emily, and I headed north mostly without event until we finally reached Folsom. Once we got into town, though, we were kind of lost -- and driving like it: stopping, driving slowly, changing lanes abruptly, etc. We finally thought we'd figured out where to go when, after making a turn, we were greeted with an eruption of blue and red light in our rear-view mirror. <em>What else could go wrong?</em> we thought. The officer stepped up to my side of the car and asked us if we'd had anything to drink. We told him that we were just lost and trying to find our way, after which he asked to see Andrew's license and the registration for the car. After explaining that the reason the registration had a different name was because we were from out of town and borrowing the car (which he thankfully didn't question), he gave us directions the rest of the way to the hotel. Over fourteen hours after the start of our trip, we had arrived!<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">The Los Banos 4 Reunited</span></div><div>We met Bryan after he arrived at the hotel with the trailer. By that time, it was 12:30 am or so, so there wasn't much open. We drove around for about 10 minutes before finding <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/t2yan-folsom" target="_blank">T2 Yan</a>, a late-night Chinese food restaurant. It was quite lively inside, with loud club music splitting time with locals belting out their favorite karaoke hits. But it was open and the food was good, so we couldn't complain. We were just happy to have made it through the day.</div><div><br />So, that's it! If you've made it this far, I salute you. And for those of you in the tl;dr crowd: The Folsom show was a success, but we sure had a crazy time getting up there!</div>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02945391219956906258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-54397972269938410502011-06-10T12:12:00.000-07:002011-06-10T14:07:05.625-07:00Qualcomm Uplinq: June 1st, 2011TAIKOPROJECT and a few friends took a quick trip down to the sunny San Diego Manchester Grant Hyatt Hotel to perform at the 2011 Uplinq Conference hosted by Qualcomm. According to the website, "Uplinq is the only wireless ecosystem conference that brings together developers and publishers, device makes, OS and technology providers, and network operators to build business around high-quality, compelling mobile apps and data services". Here's a cool picture that Andrew took of the incredible projection screen setup!<div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><img src="webkit-fake-url://C78FB30D-4F6B-41F2-8741-245D5CE795BF/photo.php.jpg" alt="photo.php.jpg" /></p><p></p><div><br /></div><div>Bryan, Maz, David, TP friends Jason and Kelvin, and I all drove down early on May 31st to load in and attend the first rehearsal. Once we arrived, we met with our presenter, Anthony, who walked us through our assignments. Anthony is so great. He's very hospitable and welcoming, so it was a pleasure working with him! After the rehearsal, we walked to a nearby outdoor mall for lunch. Seaport Village is home to various eateries that serve Mexican, Greek, and traditional "American" cuisine. I ordered the rolled chicken tacos, smothered in guacamole and cheese. Yum!</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><img src="webkit-fake-url://75DA2956-194E-4DCA-936C-2E7282FD97B1/photo.php.jpg" alt="photo.php.jpg" /></p></div><div>We walked back to the hotel and checked into our own comfy rooms, where we rested until later that evening . Soon after, Andrew, Yuri, Doug, and TP friend Joe arrived and joined us for the second rehearsal. Following the rehearsal, we sat down for a wonderful dinner at the hotel. It was at this dinner that we discovered David's fascinating eating habits! Poor David suffered through many of Bryan's attempts at sabotaging his perfectly separated portions. :( Fortunately, the rest of us aren't too concerned about our food touching, so Bryan didn't bother us. This was our dinner: jicama mango salad, tortilla soup, baked mac and cheese, and beef ribs!</div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><img src="webkit-fake-url://6292F8E0-9921-4217-A1B2-4F8EEF182683/photo.php.jpg" alt="photo.php.jpg" /></p></div><div>After dinner, several of us decided to take a stroll through the famous Gaslamp Quarter. Jason really wanted to go dancing, but sadly he was the only one. The majority of us were already exhausted from the long day of loading in and rehearsals.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning, we woke up bright and early to perform at the opening of the conference. Instead of wearing our signature TP outfits, we wore casual black button-down tops and slacks. We were positioned at several locations throughout the audience, designated by colorful spotlights that illuminated us as we played. Our assignment was to play along to a track that accompanied an inspirational spoken word video. The video was only about 90 seconds long, so the performance was over before we knew it! We returned at the end of the opening to do a short rendition of "Here We Go Now!".</div></div><div><br /></div><div>To celebrate, the whole San Diego cast went to Andrew's parents' restaurant, Choice of Mandarin. We stuffed ourselves with spicy tofu, fried rice, sauteed beef, and Maz's favorite, honey walnut shrimp!</div><div>Here's Maz in front of the restaurant!</div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><img src="webkit-fake-url://BF0859F3-AFA4-4F20-8B8B-7AFC815DAA08/photo.php.jpg" alt="photo.php.jpg" /></p></div><div>The meal was extremely satisfying, and it was so nice to finally meet Andrew's parents. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Chen! We hope to see you both again soon!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Emily Yoshiharahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00669324216665560435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155802520949287023.post-72540823035731212902011-04-07T13:49:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:28:57.792-07:00The Shishi Restoration Project - Part 2!!<div style="text-align: left;">After Bryan made the Shishi head shiny and new looking (read about it <a href="http://taikoproject.blogspot.com/2011/03/shishi-restoration-project-part-1.html">HERE</a>), I took it home and made a cape for it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to make the new Shishi cape a little bit different from the first one I made. This one will have a green body with dark red and white stripes down the middle of the back. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the green fabric was cut to size, I sewed it all together. As I was doing that, Hiro cut out all the red and white panels. We started sewing the red and white panels together, but it was way too thick... so Hiro made them thinner. They looked much better!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, I put the green part together with the red and white part. Easy peasy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, no Shishi cape is complete without a tail! I made it red and then added red and white fabric pieces at the ends.</div><div><br /></div><div>You would think I'd be finished with everything... but I had to add the hair! </div><div><br /></div><div>This was a mess! The wig was tangled. I even tried to brush it out, but it looked worse, so I decided to just leave it as it was. </div><div><br /></div><div>I used red felt to put everything together.</div><div><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v311/missyuri/?action=view&current=IMAG0255.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/missyuri/IMAG0255.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /></div><div>Finally, I sewed the cape onto the head.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tadaa~!</div><div><br /></div><div>-with no hair</div><div><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v311/missyuri/?action=view&current=IMAG0219.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/missyuri/IMAG0219.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v311/missyuri/?action=view&current=IMAG0218.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/missyuri/IMAG0218.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>with hair!!!!</div><div><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v311/missyuri/?action=view&current=IMAG0259.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/missyuri/IMAG0259.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"Hello~!!!"</div><div><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v311/missyuri/?action=view&current=IMAG0257.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/missyuri/IMAG0257.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And here it is in action!!!!!! I, um, think he/she needs a hair cut... badly... :P</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtOE3hNy0XKc-kCA1eu7jGd2yuLjipNyOzYnf_uS6bXMZN_RrMzBbnyKX-ETnmksI020h7DPjH8aNODbrY0u21LAsicy3ouKTB9OrxmTMBPZc0G5OvDv4rurw4nUX5eI6ejpd15aZaXU/s400/199966_1711124570442_1007957131_31528685_3798307_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592956371268446610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Yuri Yoshidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573298869624564273noreply@blogger.com0