Thursday, January 28 2010
8pm @ Orpheum Theatre
Tickets at Ticketmaster.ca 604-280-4444
$42-$54

“Powerful, dynamic and unique” -Time Out
“Extraordinarily talented…incomparable muscular zeal” -Chicago Tribune
“This is a show of rare excellence … Run, don’t walk to the box office.” - Edinburgh Evening News
“(It’s) an evening of rhythm, beats, sweaty bodies, melody, dynamic shape, and extraordinary precision.
Tao is inspiring, uplifting and theatrical.” -The New Zealand Performing Arts Review

From a training compound in the mountains of Aso-Kuju National Park in Japan, TAO is bringing an innovative approach to Taiko performance to the world stage - a mix of drum, dance and musical. Athletic bodies and contemporary costumes meet explosive drumming and meticulously synchronized choreography in a remarkable display of precision, energy, and stamina. TAO delivers a young and vibrantly modern take on Japan’s ancient and venerable percussive arts -integrating gymnastics, rock music, expressive vocals and an array of percussion from around the world. TAO fuses the rhythm of an opera with melody that summons images of classic landscapes; raw passion that sparkles with the sophistication of a blockbuster Broadway musical.

The eleven star performers of TAO live and train at TAO’s “Home Ground” compound established in 2000, reaching the highest level of virtuosity only after years of intensive study in the ancient art of Japanese drumming. TAO incorporates both male and female performers that draw on backgrounds as diverse as rock music, gymnastics and composing, each member bringing their own special flair. The result is a young, vibrant and contemporary style of performance.

First coming to international attention in 2004 with a record-breaking 25 days of sold-out performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, TAO has been touring extensively since 2005. Now adored in Japan and around the world, TAO has performed in over fifteen countries clocking in up to 500 performances per year with a world-wide audience exceeding 3 million. With hundreds of sold-out shows, TAO has proven that modern entertainment based on the traditional art of Japanese drumming has massive international appeal.

Taiko drumming is a centuries-old Japanese tradition, intensely physical, grounded in the martial arts, moving spirits and hearts with its power. With innovative choreography, extraordinary precision, energy and talent, TAO’s performance takes you back to historic times while giving you a taste of very modern-day artistic creativity.

More info: www.drum-tao.com / www.globalartsconcerts.com