'TAIKO EXPLOSION' - Japanese Friendship Garden of PhoenixNEW

May 8, 2011 (Phoenix, AZ) - Followers of Japanese Taiko drumming understand the primal pull of the music with its intricate rhythms, precise movement of execution, and sounds that resonate throughout one's whole being. An evening of bliss for Taiko lovers will be on-hand this Saturday, May 14th at the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, offering one last reason to enjoy the garden's three acres of winding paths, delightful koi pond, splashing waterfalls and graceful settings before the summer closure.

Date
May 14 2011

Time
5:30 pm

Location
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix

Information
In addition to headliners Phoenix Taiko Drummer Fushicho Daiko, guests will hear selections performed by Aozora,� Kemushi Daiko,� Phoenix Taiko Kai,� Saboten, and a grand finale by the All Arizona Taiko Team.� Soloist Ken Koshio will perform an original piece in honor of his Sensei, Ms. Esther Vandecar.

Arizona's Grand Dame of Taiko, Esther Vandecar, will be performing her farewell show. After twenty years of bringing Japanese drumming to the Desert Southwest, Ms. Vandecar, founder of Fushicho Daiko, is retiring to Michigan to begin a new era of teaching the ancient songs of Japan to a new set of students.

Garden gates open at 5:30 for strolling, show starts at 6:15 with an opening set of songs performed by the students of the Arizona Gakuen Japanese Language School. Refreshments will be available for purchase during a brief intermission. Proceeds benefit the Maintenance Fund for Ro Ho En.

Tickets are $10 per person and available at the Garden's gate, children 10 years of age and younger are free when accompanied by an adult.

The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, also known as Ro Ho En, is located at 1125 North Third Avenue in central Phoenix. The 3.5 acre Japanese stroll garden features an authentic tea house, koi pond, flowing stream with waterfall, and over fifty varieties of plants growing among its stone and lantern settings.