All Souls Procession Update- The Hunter and the Hunted

A quick update in words and pictures- mostly just teasers!

Have no idea what I'm writing about? It's this event that my taiko group is involved in every year. 

My costume this year involves this hat-

Pilgrims hat from Japan

Kitsune (fox) mask

Plus haiku by Kobayashi Issa, this year's finale theme of the Hunter and the Hunted, kitsune masks, visiting taiko players, an Oni (Japanese demon) dancer, and new chant our group is doing in-between dancing- it's an Ainu folk song about a wolf and deer running in the woods. The whole event is going to be amazing and beautiful. 

More updates soon,

Reb

Autumn Kimono Season Has Started!!

It's very  late, I'm lazy, so I'm sharing Odaiko Sonora's enewsletter. Kimono season has started for 2016!

I will be playing taiko with my group at Tucson Meet Yourself  festival this Saturday (Highlighted yellow part below) and dressing myself and others in yukata for the show! Look for me on stage during the obon dance demo right after our taiko performance- I'll be in yukata. Photos soon!

Cheers,

Reb
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From left: Lantern-making Happy Hours commence on Oct. 6 for the  2016 All Souls Procession; our Community Group prepares for Odaiko Sonora's 15th year at  Tucson Meet Yourself, Sat., Oct. 8 at 2:00pm, at which; …  Sahuaro High School marching band members will debut their fall program, which includes taiko! Awake the Season Odaiko Sonora is gearing up for a big fall! This Thursday, Oct. 6 we  launch All Souls Procession season activities with our first  Lantern-making Happy Hour, 5:30-7:30pm, at Takamatsu,  5532 E. Speedway. Then, this weekend, Sat., Oct. 8, the  entire group — 22 players strong — performs at Tucson Meet  Yourself. Our set begins at 2:00pm on the Church Street stage.  Special appearance by the Sahuaro High School marching band,  who we worked with this summer, performing two sections of  Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song, by Samuel R. Hazo. Then, from 3:00–3:45pm, we'll lead a very special presentation in conjunction with the Southern AZ Japanese Cultural Coalition.  in this session, you'll learn about the Japanese tradition of obon, learn several dances and get to participate in a mini-obon festival! After you see us, we think you may want to learn to play taiko!  Our next All Ages Recreational Taiko beginners' class starts  Oct. 22 and continues every Saturday from 2:30–4:30pm through Nov. 19. Join us this fall Thurs., Oct. 6, 5:30–7:30pm: Memorial Lantern-making Happy Hour.  All Souls Procession season activities begin with our first Lantern-making  Happy Hour. Join us to make a Japanese toronagashi-style lantern to  commemorate loved ones. The lanterns will be carried in the All Souls  Procession on Nov. 6. All materials provided but you are welcome to bring  (safely flammable) descorations of your own that can be added to the  paper covers. Suggested donation to ASP. Lantern-making continues  every Thursday in October. Takamatsu, 5532 E. Speedway. Sat., Oct. 8, 2:00–3:45pm: Tucson Meet Yourself.  See us at the Church St. stage. Performance at 2:00pm, mini-obon festival  at 3:00–3:45pm. Our set will include a variety of traditional and original taiko  compositions, including a new song by Performing  Ensemble member Nicole Stansbury. Wed. Oct. 19, 5:3 pm and Sat., Oct. 22, 12:30pm: ASP Obon  Workshops. Learn the All Souls Procession dance and chant, then join us on  Nov. 6 as we walk. The dance is the same as last year's, but we  have a new chant for this year’s theme of The Hunter and the  Hunted. Rhythm Industry Performance Factory, 1013 S. Tyndall. Saturdays, Oct. 22–Nov. 19, 2:30–4:30pm. Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in and bring a water bottle.  We take care of the rest! Try the first class free. If you like it, sign up for  the 5-week session. Sign up on our website www.tucsontaiko.org via  Paypal, email info@tucsontaiko.org or call (520) 481-8003. Rhythm  Industry Performance Factory, 1013 S. Tyndall. Sun., Nov. 6: All Souls Procession Arigato gozaimasu!