Asian Improv aRts Midwest's celebratory 'Taiko Legacy 20th Anniversary' concert Dec. 17
On Sunday, Dec. 17, Asian Improv aRts Midwest, directed by multi-instrumentalist and media artist Tatsu Aoki, presents its "Taiko Legacy 20th Anniversary" Concert at the Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave. at 2 p.m.
This performance celebrates two decades of Asian Improv aRts Midwest's most anticipated event of the year, "Taiko Legacy."
This annual concert is one of the largest taiko presentations in the Midwest and is built on the efforts of community activism in Asian American and Japanese American performing arts across the country. It is a conceptually diverse and dynamic musical performance full of original arrangements that pay homage to ozashiki (geisha chamber music), ohayashi (classical/folk/theater music), and matsuri taiko (festival taiko music).
Joining the performers of Tsukasa Taiko, a program of AIRMW, will be guest artists including long-standing partner Grandmaster Chizuru Kineya and Chicago Grandmaster Yoshinojo Fujima plus new guests: Japan and New York-based koto and shamisen performer Yoko "Reikano" Kimura and Japanese classical dancer Kanshichinao Fujima from Japan.
Tickets are $25 (plus fees). For tickets or more information visit taikolegacy.com/events.
As a precursor to the "Taiko Legacy 20th Anniversary" Concert, AIRMW presents "Reduction 9" also at the Edlis Neeson Theater at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Guest artists for this concert include creative music legends percussionists Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang and jazz flutist/composer Nicole Mitchell, among others. Tickets are $25 (plus fees). To order tickets, visit reduction9.eventbrite.com.
Asian Improv aRts Midwest's (AIRMW) mission is to build a vital, self-empowered Asian American Community in the Chicago area by advancing the understanding and profile of Asian American cultures through the traditional and contemporary cultural arts. For more information about AIRMW as well as updates and more information on either performance, visit airmw.org.