Just to clarify, I will be beginning two workshops this month. 

The one beginning on Aug 3rd in Brooklyn, NY will be ongoing for an undetermined length of time - possibly decades!  These classes will take place every wed and sunday.  For more info please click here.

The other one, presented by Otatsu taiko will take place for five weeks in Stamford, CT.  For info, please click here.

o-tatsu-info-brochure-2008 (PDF)

Kaoru Watanabe, former performing member and artistic director of internationally acclaimed taiko
ensemble, KODO, based on Sado Island, Japan will be leading a special 5-session workshop series.

Kaoru will teach fundamental drills and techniques- starting with conditioning the body with warm ups and stretches and continuing with some basic drumming exercises that will develop control, speed and strength. No drumming experience is necessary to participate in this special workshop series.

There are sessions for both children and adults. In addition, Kaoru is also available to teach fue (Japanese flute) upon request.

This 5 session series will commence on Monday, August 4th and classes will be held on the following dates:
Monday, Aug 4
Thursday, Aug 7
Monday, Aug 11
Monday, Aug 18
Thursday, Aug 21

Taiko Workshop Series for Kids with Kaoru
Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm (Aug 4, 11, 18)
Thursdays, 3:30pm-4:30pm (Aug 7, 21)

Fees
$85 for 5-session workshop series, $19 per class with advance
reservation and payment or $22 walk-in

Taiko Workshop Series for Adults
Mondays, 6:00pm-9:00pm (Aug 4, 11, 18)
Thursdays, 6:00pm-9:00pm (Aug 7, 21)

Fees
$135 for 5-session workshop series, $33 per session with
advance reservation and payment or $40 walk-in

Registration
Call Sandra at 203-323-3950 or send an email to:
info@otatsutaiko.com

Place: Connecticut Ballet Studio
20 Acosta Street
Stamford, CT

On Sept 19th, I will be a part of a piece called Mare Serenitatis (Sea of Serenity) at the JACCC(Japanese American Cultural & Community Center) in Los Angeles as part of the Sacred Music Festival.

Information at JACCC’s website: www.jaccc.org/08summerfall.htm

Synopsis:

A program of the UCLA World Festival of Sacred Music, Mare Serenitatis (Sea of Serenity) is a performance in 3 movements, blending traditional rites from Japan with classical and contemporary Western influences. The evening ends outside with a large 12-million candlelight searchlight beaming across the night sky, illuminating a path to the moon. Conceived and performed by JACCC’s Artistic Director Hirokazu Kosaka, Mare Serenitatis also features choreographer and Japanese Butoh dancer Oguri, IKKYU Zen Archers, flute player Kaoru Watanabe (Kodo 1998-2006), harmonica player Tetsuya Nakamura (80’s rock band, War) the dance troupe BodyTraffic, court musicians Kinnara Gagaku and Okinawan dance troupe Majikina Honryu.

==========================

Mare Serenitatis (Sea of Serenity)
A Contemporary performance inspired by the moon

Friday, September 19, 8pm @Aratani/Japan America theatre
$25 General Admission, $20 JACCC Members, Seniors & Students
Buy ticket online at http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/145660

LEE & WANG DANCE 2008 Fall Season
San Francisco Los Angeles New York

Artist Directors: Lenora Lee & Elaine Wang
Music Composition: Kaoru Watanabe
With dancers Mina Nishimura (in SF/LA), Denesa Chan(in LA/NY), musicians Melody Tanaka(in SF) and Kenny Endo(in LA)

Gale Winds & Turiya by Lee & Wang Dance

<San Francisco>
September 6th, 8pm
September 7th, 1pm
CounterPulse Theater
1310 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Admission: $15 general, $10 CounterPulse menbers, children 12 & under
For tickets, visit www.brownpapertickets.com or call (800)838-3006

<Los Angeles>
September 13th, 8pm
September 14th, 7pm
Rosalie and Alva’s Performance Gallery
1417 W. Eighth Street
San Pedro, CA 90732
Admission: $15 at the door
for reservations, email YearofQi@yahoo.com or call (310)408-2020

<New York>
October 29 Gala Performce, 7:30pm
October 30 & November 1, 7:30pm
November 2, 4pm
John Ryan Theater as part of White Wave’s 2008 Wave Rising Series
25 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Admission: $50 for Gala, $20 all others
for information, visit www.whitewavedance.com

=======================

Lee & Wang Dance
http://www.leewangdance.org/

Symbiosis - An Art Exhibition / Sale

The Village @ Gureje presents its indoor and outdoor art exhibition/ Sale and workshops celebrating diversity in global warming.
 
Opening date: Aug.1, 2008
Time: 3pm-11pm
 
Music: Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese Flute/Taiko drums)
           Marvis “SWAN” Poole (Jazz Vocals)
 
Venue: The Village @ Gureje ( 886 Pacific Str. Brooklyn, NY 11238)
Tel: 718 857 2522
 
THE VENUE;
The Village @ Gureje is an all-round hub for community activities ranging from serving as a meeting place for local block associations, community board meetings to product launching and promotional events.

____________________

An evening of gratitude to all our patrons and supporters 

Featuring artist:  
Donavan Nelson, Nephrii Ameni, Otto Neals, Abou Ndoye, Elle Balk,Al Johnson, Onyedike Chuke
Danny Simmons, Joseph Bell-Bey, Melissa SafiOrenzo, Trevor Brown, Wayne Summerlin Snr.
Ramona Candy, Margulis Natalia, Herb Schiffrin, Karl McKintosh, Trevor Todd, Tafa
Kim Chang B, Nate Ladson, Peter Giscombe

taikoworkshopflyer (PDF)

I will be starting a taiko (Japanese drum) classes in Brooklyn August 3rd.  Please come down to try it out and spread the word!  Based on my 20 some years of taiko experience and extensive training and performing experience with KODO, classes will deal with developing form, balance, strength, flexibility, hitting technique, repertoire, voice and learning some of the cultural and historical background behind the drum.

The classes will take place every wednesday and sunday, from 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 and open to people of any age, and any level of
musicianship- absolute beginners more than welcome.  $30 dollars for one 2 hour class with discounted rates if you buy classes in advance.

I will be performing with the great Adam Rudolph and Tatsuya Nakatani at Zebulon in Williamsburg this fri at 9 pm for free.

July 25, 2008 Fri 9PM
@Zeblon Cafe
258 Wythe Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-218-6934

Adam Rudolph
Kaoru Watanabe
Tatsuya Nakatani
Special guest: TBA

I will be performing with Kenny Endo on July 4th in Denver, Colorado as part of the Japanese American National Museum Conference 2008.  I believe you have to attend the conference to see the show - which will be worth doing even if we weren’t playing. 

July 4th, Denver CO
11:45 am to 12:15
Hyatt Regency, Denver
at the Colorado Convention Center

For details please visit: http://www.janm.org/projects/ec/conference/

Kaoru has a show at the STONE in the East Village on JULY 6th.  I will bring on board with me tabla player Suphula and my old friend percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani.  Please join us at 10 pm. 
THE STONE
the corner of Ave C and 2nd street
$10
10pm
More Information at:
http://www.thestonenyc.com/index.html

P.S.
Please come and celebrate Kaoru’s birthday (July 3rd) at the Stone on the 6th at 10 pm.  There will be no cake, food or drinks, but there will be lots of music.

JUNE 21st
MAKE MUSIC NEW YORK & CAVE’s BLOCK PARTY POTLUCK

On the sidewalk of 58 grand street 5:00pm-8:00pm, Saturday June 21st

POTLUCK TABLES & GRILL will be set outside on our sidewalk and across the street on 69 grand at 5:00pm. Free Concert will start at 6:30.  “Please, bring a dish to share”  And come to have fun with us!

http://www.wikihow.com/Bring-Food-to-a-Potluck-Dinner

First set : Bryan Camphire (CAVE resident) and Bleakley Mcdowell
Second Set: Tatsuya Nakatani Solo
Third Set: Kaoru Watanabe with Tatsuya Nakatani

About the musicians:
Tatsuya Nakatani: www.hhproduction.org/TATSUYA_NAKATANI_WORKS.html
Kaoru Watanabe: www.watanabekaoru.com
Bryan Camphire / Bleakley Mcdowell:
www.bloodypanda.com, www.viva-radio.com/promiseandwarning, www.myspace.com/bryancamphire