@ATUS Group: Matsuri Crashers 2015

Sundays, 10:00am -- 11:45am

First Class: Sun, February 08, 2015
Teacher(s): Kris Bergstrom
Room:

Weekly practices for members of the Matsuri Crashers.

2015 goals: develop a tight-knit Rock Solids crew, create solos for June NATC battle

NOW RECRUITING MEMBERS!
Seeking 8+ new members. Intermediate/advanced players needed.

Monthly dues: est. $65
With 8 members we will be able to cover room rental and LATI teaching support for only $65/mo. This works out to less than $10/hour! That's less than a yoga class, and we get to use the sound-proof Asano Taiko US facility and world-class taiko drums!

Matsuri Crashers are dedicated to the development of slant-drum soloing and the inspiring base-beat rhythms that support the soloist. Practices divide time between in-depth drilling of movement and form for slant-soloists and small-drum technique and timing for jiuchi players. Members learn the six, inspiring Matsuri Crashers battle structures, and will develop the seventh, "60" structure, using the challenging and addictive "asalato" shaker from Ghana. (New members can purchase asalato through instructor.) Matsuri Crashers support the community battles that occur at semi-regular intervals around the country and prepare exciting new moves and rhythms for the taiko world.

About the Battles
The Matsuri Crashers battles draw inspiration from the world of hip-hop dance, which has used light-hearted competition to inspire deep practice and amazing creativity. Hip hop dance is now one of the world's great art forms. Slant-drum solo performance sets a high bar for taiko artistry. The soloist carries the responsibilities of musical development and phrasing; a single drum *is* the performance. Compare this to the task of performing ensemble taiko music, with many players, often playing the same rhythm. For the slant-soloist, every hit counts. The stakes are even higher for the Rock Solids jiuchi players, whose responsibility is to support the soloist at all costs. When a soloist comes to the battle having practiced for months to debut their new move, the base-beat cannot falter, even with the heightened pressure and inevitable surprises of live performance. Matsuri Crashers grab hold of these great challenges to grow as artists and develop taiko as an artform.

The Matsuri Crashers Battle setting places soloists (or pairs of soloists) in head-to-head competition and a jiuchi (base-beat) crew called the Rock Solids plays the supporting rhythms.
Practices involve beta and naname nagado forms, plus small-drum technique, ensemble togetherness, and timing. Musical challenges range from moderate to advanced, tailored to individual and ensemble needs. Members learn all aspects of rice-pounding, from rice prep to pounding to presentation and clean-up.

Monthly dues - $65

With 8 members we will be able to cover room rental and LATI teaching support for only $65/mo. This works out to less than $10/hour! That's less than a yoga class, and we get to use the sound-proof Asano Taiko US facility and world-class taiko drums!

Contact Kris to join!

Classes in this Course

Date Title
Sun, February 08, 2015 01
Sun, February 15, 2015 02
Sun, February 22, 2015 03
Sun, March 01, 2015 04
Sun, March 08, 2015 05
Sun, March 15, 2015 06
Sun, March 22, 2015 07
Sun, March 29, 2015 08
Sun, April 05, 2015 09
Sun, April 12, 2015 10
Sun, April 19, 2015 11
Sun, April 26, 2015 12
Sun, May 03, 2015 13
Sun, May 10, 2015 14
Sun, May 17, 2015 15
Sun, May 24, 2015 Wkshp: Asalato
Sun, May 24, 2015 16
Sun, May 31, 2015 17
Sun, June 07, 2015 18
Sun, June 14, 2015 NO PRACTICE
Sun, June 21, 2015 19
Sun, June 28, 2015 20
Sun, July 05, 2015 21
Sun, July 12, 2015 22
Sun, July 19, 2015 23
Sun, July 26, 2015 24
Sun, August 02, 2015 25
Sun, August 09, 2015 26
Sun, August 16, 2015 27
Sun, August 23, 2015 28
Sun, August 30, 2015 29
Sun, September 06, 2015 30
Sun, September 13, 2015 31
Sun, September 20, 2015 32
Sun, October 18, 2015 CicLAvia O-Ji debut
Sun, October 25, 2015 34
Sat, December 19, 2015 Possible gig