Braving -2 temperatures, Chibi Taiko rocked the Lunar New Year celebrations at the Vancouver Art Gallery on February 9th. Cold fingers and toes but lots of smiles all around as we played a 45-minute set for a shivering but enthusiastic crowd.
What a night! Over 500 friends, family and taiko fans gathered at the Vancouver Playhouse on November 30 to help us celebrate twenty years as Canada’s first youth taiko group. Joining us on stage were special friends Yoshikazu and Yoko Fujimoto and Seattle’s Inochi Taiko, making it a night to remember. Our new costumes looked great under the lights and everyone brought lots of energy and smiles to the stage. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets and to everyone who helped out behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly.
Let us take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us over the past twenty years – former members, parents, friends, donors and fellow taiko players – the Chibi family is truly a special one!
Read a review in Japanese HERE.
Enjoy the photo gallery from the concert and dress rehearsal!
Congratulations to Tonari Gumi on the opening of their beautiful new building at 42 West 8th Avenue in Vancouver. We were pleased to be part of this auspicious occasion and are proud of our long-standing relationship with this important community organization.
Chibi Taiko turns 20!
Chibi Taiko 20th Anniversary Concert
Saturday November 30, 7:30pm
Vancouver Playhouse Theatre
With very special guest performers
Yoshikazu and Yoko Fujimoto (founding members of Kodo)
plus Seattle’s Inochi Taiko
Ticket prices: $25 adults / $20 seniors and students. Ticket can be purchased through group members (tickets@chibitaiko.com) or through VTix
Our concert was listed in the latest (and final) edition of the Kodo_eNews_201311!
Special guests from Japan Yoshikazu and Yoko Fujimoto of Kodo
Special guests Inochi Taiko from Seattle
Friday, November 1, 8pm
Taiko Roots: in the Heart of the City
Sansho Daiko hosts Katari Taiko, Uzume Taiko, LOUD, Chibi Taiko and Sawagi Taiko in a special performance at the Heart of the City Festival celebrating the roots of taiko in Canada.
Vancouver Ballroom
456 Prior Street (at Dunlevy)
Tickets: $10 suggested donation, available at the door on a first-come-first-served basis.
www.heartofthecityfestival.com
Chibi Taiko is pleased to appear at this concert as one of the many groups to trace its origins directly to Katari Taiko, the first taiko group to form in Canada.
Chibi Taiko featuring Emiko Newman, Kaya Newman, Jordy Riley, Shinobu Homma, and Becky Jang. Composed by Tyrone Nakawatase of Inochi Taiko and arranged by Chibi Taiko. Shot by @MarkDarlingDOP with @ItsAdamCanuck. Sound by Billy d.
Chibi Taiko was honoured to open the second day of Nikkei Matsuri: the spirit of Nikkei, on Sunday, September 1 at Nikkei Centre. The photos are by Adam PW Smith.
In September, Chibi participated in the City of Burnaby’s 100th anniversary celebration.
Also in fall 2012, the senior members performed at a wedding at the NNHC. Thanks to wedding photographers Mandy Jill and Sean Norman for these great professional shots.
On June 23, 2012, Chibi Taiko played at a multicultural event presented by the Vancouver Cantonese Opera society at the CBC Outdoor Plaza.
On July 7, Chibi Taiko played for the National Nikkei Heritage Centre to celebrate Tanabata. The junior members did a great job focusing given that audience members were only steps away from the performers.
Jordy, Kayo, Becky and Shinobu attended the Regional Taiko Gathering in August hosted by Portland Taiko. They received a rousing reception during an informal performance when they presented Donburi and their Okedo piece.
The seniors and intermediates played for a picnic for Tonari Gumi on the grass at Spanish Banks. Shakuhachi master, Takeo Yamashiro, commented that the group was “very tight,” in other words, they sounded good and were really together despite the absence of Shinobu.
Again in August, Chibi played for the Taiwan Festival with giant video screens in the background projecting images of the players. Looked and sounded really cool.
In May, Chibi Taiko played continuously for about four hours at Lumberman’s Arch for the Vancouver International Marathon. They won second prize in the Music Challenge. Runners pumped their fists in the air when they passed by and some stopped to take photos with Chibi members.
In the early spring 2012, Chibi juniors participated in a special workshop with Art Lee from Tokara Taiko based in Nagano Japan. The juniors enjoyed the challenge of learning a new style and piece.
chibi juniors participate in a 2012 workshop with Art Lee
