Donald E. Osborne,  Director California Artists Management 564 Market Street, Suite 420, San Francisco, CA  94104-5412 415 362-2787 / fax: 415 362-2838 / Skype: calartistsdon  / Email

Susan Endrizzi Morris,  Director California Artists Management P.O. Box  2479, Mendocino, CA  95460-2479 707-937-4787 / cell: 415-302-1083 / Skype: sueendrizzi / Email

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Shidara

SHIDARA is one of the world’s most exciting Japanese taiko drumming companies. Blending masterful stick work, blinding energy and break neck speed, SHIDARA’s powerful, joyous performances are rooted in the 700-year old harvest festival of their mountain village, uniting a purity and devotion to the forest and a harmony between the human and spirit worlds. The explosive sounds of SHIDARA’s odaiko drums and the soulful harmonies of the shinobue bamboo flutes resonate in the minds and hearts of the audience long after the last beat is played.

Members live and train at their mountain facility in strictest traditional discipline. In addition to their professional pursuits, SHIDARA is deeply entwined in the life and townspeople of their village and to preserving the ancient regional dance festivals, including a rendition of The Hana Matsuri Festival, the 700-year-old harvest ritual deemed Japanese National Folk Property.  People in this region of Japan have a spirit of coexistence with nature, a practical wisdom born of day-to-day living, an important understanding of life often forgotten by modern society.

SHIDARA first caught the world’s attention when they came down from Japan’s forest mountains to sweep the 2002 Tokyo Taiko Championships.  The company now regularly tours throughout Japan and Korea, and has received standing ovations in Taipei, Norway, Sweden and Martinique. SHIDARA sold-out three U.S. tours in 2006, 2008 and 2010, and will return for a Western States / Midwest tour in February / March 2012.

In their own words:  “Through our performance we hope to bring people together, joining hands in reciprocal support while walking an essential path of mutual encouragement.  This is much as was done at ancient festivals, where circles of human harmony were created, born of a spirit of gratitude to the earth and natural world.” 

Founding / artistic director Chabo:   I go to the forest, watch TV, talk with others, and read-- all the time with my antennae out. Then I empty myself, receiving hints that spark creativity. My personal life is one with Shidara's art. The stage is synonymous with how you live life.  They cannot be separated.

PRESENTER RESPONSE:

“I was amazed at the athleticism and energy of the performers. The performance let us see a piece of Japan’s history and culture. Shidara performs with Olympian stamina, relaying a theme of spirituality and nature from their mountain villages; I was impressed. This was not Stomp meets The Mikado. This was a unique cultural celebration.”

                                                            Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton WI


“Best group – all levels”                      Ordway Theater, St. Paul MN

 “I’m a happy presenter. Public show and school show/s were terrific. Staff loved the company.”                                      Lied Center, University of Kansas

 “Shidara raised the bar for future productions. The audience was totally enthralled. An amazing show.”                           Lucille Tack Center, Spencer WI

 “Fabulous show. Sweet people. Conquered the audience. Will invite them back.”

            `                                               Stefanie Weill Center, Sheboygan WI

 “The crowd loved it.”                          University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

 “Lovely company. Lovely people. Fabulous show. You made it happen! Thank you, thank you.”                                      Elgin Community College, IL

 “Audiences loved the show.  At times the performers’ energy became almost ecstatic.”

                                                            Overture Center, Madison WI

 “The Shidara performance was outstanding.  It surpassed all our expectations and the audience loved it. It was a wonderful evening.”               

                                                            Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, CA

 “Fantastic.  Our audience loved Shidara, and the educational lec-dem fascinated the students.  This company is pure non-stop energy. We will have them back.”

                                                             Mesa Arts Center, AZ

 “Shidara was wonderful, we loved them!  Their drumming was amazing, very powerful, diverse, joyous. The lecture-demonstrations were great, and the kids were enthralled.  Shidara provided wonderful advance materials that we forwarded to teachers.”                                                                                  New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series

 “One of the finest groups we have ever presented!  The show was amazing from beginning to end!  What enthusiasm, unity and teamwork!  I’ve never seen anything like it.  We’d love to have them back.”           Brigham Young University-Idaho

 “I have seen many taiko groups over the years, both in the United States and in Japan. Some have the raw power to match Shidara, some have the musicality, some have the charisma, but I have never seen any that can match Shidara’s ability to play as a group.  Long hours of practice have blended the edges of the individual musicians into a seamless whole.  The clarity and precision of their playing, the ferocious tempos they take, and the almost telepathic communication between players is breath-taking.  This is taiko at the very highest level!”

                                    David Leong – ROLLING THUNDER, Your Taiko Resource