Support the Kenny Endo 35th Anniversary Celebration with your donation to Taiko Arts Center! Donations will help support school and community outreach programs, Fall 2010 “Gateway – ‘Ma’ vs. Groove” concert tour with artists from Japan and the US including Kenny Endo (taiko), Hitoshi Hamada (vibraphones), Michihiro Sato (Tsugaru shamisen), Kaoru Watanabe (bamboo flutes), Shoko Hikage (koto), and more! Your tax-deductible donations are being accepted now at Taiko Arts Center, a 501c3 non-profit organization. VIsit: www.taikoartscenter.org

Fall tour dates include:
October 29 – Sewanee, TN
November 1 – Nashville, TN
November 5 – Bowling Green, OH (cancelled)
November 6 – Pittsburgh, PA
November 8 – Westminster, MD
November 10 – Fredericksburg, VA
November 12 – Stonybrook, NY
November 15 – Montreal, QB (pending)
November 19 – NY, NY

Also, catch Kenny at Town Hall in Seattle on Friday, October 8 with Kaoru Watanabe (bamboo flutes, taiko) and Ringtaro Tateishi (taiko)

Kenny Endo’s 35th Anniversary Celebration Concert!
featuring
Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble
Rhythm Summit (Endo, Noel Okimoto, Dean Taba)
Special Guests:
Keola & Moana Beamer
San Jose Taiko
DeShannon Higa
Taiko Center of the Pacific Youth Group performs PRE-Show at 7 pm
Hawaii Theatre (808) 528-0506
BE THERE!

PRE-Concert Reception with the Artists
5:30-7 pm heavy pupus and drinks
$40 donation to: www.taikoartscenter.org

OR

Support the Kenny Endo 35th Anniversary Celebration!
For a $100 donation to Taiko Arts Center, a 501c3 non-profit organization, receive a premium concert seat ticket to the Mitsudomoe concert on 6.11; ticket to PRE-concert reception with the artists; and a tax deduction to the full extent of the law.
Donate $100 to www.taikoartscenter.org
More info: (808) 737-7236

Also, June 11-13 Pan Pacific Festival
Matsuri in Hawaii, a Sister Event
Please check out their cultural events and great parade!

http://www.pan-pacific-festival.com/common/images/Schedule.pdf
http://www.pan-pacific-festival.com/

Kenny Endo’s “Gateway – ‘Ma’ vs. Groove” Project will tour Fall 2010 featuring an eclectic group of musicians from both Japan and the US; Kenny Endo (taiko), Hitoshi Hamada (vibraphones), Michihiro Sato (shamisen), Kaoru Watanabe (bamboo flutes, taiko), Shoko Hikage (koto). Tour supported in part by The Japan Foundation and Tradex, a National Organization for Traditional Artists Exchange.
For bookings and Info, Contact:
Pacifika Artists Network
karen@pasifika-artists.com

KZOO radio interview this morning in Japanese.
Oceanic Cable commercial shoot at mid-day.
Busy prepping for trip to California for Satsuki Festival performance on 5.23, Bay Area workshops, performance with body percussionist Keith Terry on Friday 5.28 at Rhythmix, Collegiate Invitational over Labor Day Weekend, and my 35th Anniversary Concert on June 11th at Hawaii Theatre.

THANK YOU ALL for your outpouring of support!

COME to Hawaii!!!

Celebrate Kenny Endo’s 35th Year of Taiko Drumming at the June 11th concert at Hawaii Theatre Concert (Special Guests Keola & Moana Beamer, San Jose Taiko, Noel Okimoto, Dean Taba, and DeShannon Higa) and stay for the Summer Taiko Intensives – June 14-18.

This year, the Intensives will be on ODAIKO and SHIMEDAIKO.  Bonus Hachijo Daiko Workshop and Rhythm Summit CD Release Party all in the same week.

Come enjoy Sun, Surf, and TAIKO!  June 11–18 in Honolulu!  Low cost temporary housing also available. Inquire at:  info@taikoarts.com

From the Koele Lodge >> Managos. Lanai, Big Island, Maui, Oahu……and LA for Kaoru and Mari’s wedding celebration! Tatsumaki kine coupla weeks…and FUN!

Tickets for Kenny Endo’s 35th Anniversary Concert “Mitsudomoe – Mind, Body, Spirit” go ON SALE May 1st!
Get your tickets early for best seats! Concert features Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, Rhythm Summit (Kenny Endo, Noel Okimoto, Dean Taba) and special guests legendary slack-key guitarist KEOLA BEAMER, hula dancer Moana Beamer, and San Jose Taiko. PRE-Concert show by the Taiko Center of the Pacific Youth Group at 7 pm.

Tickets available at:
Hawaii Theatre Box Office; 808-528-0506; OR online at:
www.hawaiitheatre.com

For a PREMIUM SEAT Ticket, Invitation to the PRE-concert VIP Reception with the Artists, AND a Tax Deduction, contact kennyendo35th@gmail.com

ALSO – Saturday, May 15th
“An Afternoon with Kenny Endo-Reflections on 35 Years of TAIKO”
Talk Story with Kenny Endo and learn about the trials and tribulations en route to a successful career as a taiko artist which has taken him around the world!
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii’s 5th Fl Lounge
FREE!

Gearing up for the exciting JACCC 30th Anniversary Gala, on March 30th.

Also, don’t miss the Kenny Endo and Friends Concert on April 3rd, celebrating Kenny Endo’s 35th Anniversary of Taiko Drumming!  Featuring Kaoru Watanabe, Abe Lagrimas, June Kuramoto, Derek Nakamoto, Wu Man, On Ensemble, Kinnara Taiko, and others.

You can find lots more information on the Gala and Concert here.

Back from the Convergence Performance on Maui.

But tonight, don’t miss the Kenny Endo and Friends Special Event at Dragon Upstairs, 1038 Nuuanu, $5 cover. 8-11 PM. See Calendar for more information.

Also, DON’T MISS the amazing Convergence Concert!! March 13, 2010 at Leeward Community College (LCC). Featuring legendary percussionist from Tokyo Kiyohiko Semba, former flautist from Kodo Kaoru Watanabe, and electric violinist Kaori Takahashi, with former Complexions dancers Lynn Barre and Miho Morinoue.

Back from the Big Island rehearsal with Miho Morinoue and Lynn Barre, both formerly of Complexions Dance Company, in preparation for the Semba-Endo collaboration on 3.6 and 3.13 (see below).

Stay tuned for Rhythm Summit CD release early summer!

Kenny Endo is on Big Island today, rehearsing with Miho Morinoue, formerly of Complexions Dance Company of New York, one of the top contemporary dance companies in the US.

We’re all gearing up for Semba, Kaori Takahashi, and Kaoru’s arrivals into Hawaii next week.

Special workshops with Semba and Kaoru are in planning for March 8th and 9th.

Kenny is also working on the finishing touches for his collaborative CD release with arranger/keyboardist Derek Nakamoto, which is scheduled for April 3rd.

Keep checking back for more updates and info!