Previously held Classes & Workshops

Email info@taikoartsmidwest.org for more information!

TAIKOALIVE! (class currently paused)
Teacher: Iris Shiraishi

Level: Intermediate to Advanced (minimum one year taiko training required)

Join Iris Shiraishi in a holistic approach to learning the art of taiko that enriches the body, mind, and spirit. It is geared to students of all ages and abilities with special outreach to for older adults. TaikoAlive! can be accessed as a single workshop, class series, or residency. All formats teach taiko technique, repertoire, history, and cultural aspects designed to fit the needs of the students.

Click here to bring TaikoAlive! to your organization or facility.

Read Chris Farrell's New York Times column "Retiring" here.
Listen to Chris Farrell's podcast "Unretirement" interview with Iris here.
See TaikoAlive! in action with older adults, young adults and first-graders!

SHIME DAIKO WORKSHOP
SUNDAY APRIL 2ND, 2023 AT 11:15AM-12:45PM
$40 FEE

Shimedaiko Playing
This workshop will focus on playing smaller taiko with smaller bachi. Improving small drum technique will strengthen your technique for percussion and larger drums. Areas to be covered include stick selection, grip, rebound, dynamics, ji uchi (groove playing), and tempo control.  Ideas for practicing at home will be provided along with exercises to help play together in a group.

This workshop is designed for people with some previous taiko experience.

SHISHIMAI LECTURE/DEMO/HANDS ON WORKSHOP
SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST, 2023 AT 5:00-6:30PM
$30 PER FAMILY

Shishimai - Edo Kotobuki Jishi (Wakayama Ryu)
Shishimai is the Japanese lion dance and the Edo Kotobuki Jishi is the traditional celebratory shishimai of Tokyo. This version consists of one person as the shishi and three accompanying musicians playing taiko, atarigane, and shinobue. For hundreds of years, the shishimai has been used to bring good luck and chase away evil spirits. People in Japan are familiar with this custom and offer their heads to be bitten by the shishi in order to have good luck for the rest of the year. This workshop will cover the movements of the shishimai and include a demonstration by Eien and TAM Edo Bayashi group members. Please wear comfortable clothing that allows full-body movements.

ANNOUNCING A SPECIAL SELF DEFENSE CLASS SERIES!

In response to the ongoing violence against Asian Americans,
TaikoArts Midwest offered several self-defense workshops for the community.
Thanks to funding from the BMPP Giving Circle,
we are now able to offer a series of classes.

Self Defense, 6 week course
for AAPI Women & Marginalized Genders

Led by Tim Blaylark of Bear Path Martial Arts

Wednesdays 6:00-7:30PM
10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, and 11/9 2022
Limited Availability
Only $50 for the entire series
(Thank you BMPP!!)