I hope you’re as excited as I am to experience culture at its finest at this year’s Ethnic Arts Festival. Aside from over 100 artist vendors, we’ll be providing you with fantastic entertainment throughout the weekend. Something new we’re bringing this year is a unique performance from the JASC Youth Taiko Ensemble, the leading Japanese drumming ensemble in the Midwest.
Taiko, meaning “drum,” is known for its thunderous sound and stunning, stylized choreography. The kumi-daiko style, which JASC Tsukasa Taiko mainly performs, was established in the mid 20th-century and comprises of an ensemble solely of drums. JASC’s ensemble also incorporates unique instruments like the shamisen (three-stringed lute) and the shinobue (transverse bamboo flute) into their performance. These instruments have a strong presence not only in Taiko, but also in Kabuki theater music and matsuri festival music.
With internationally renowned instructors and performing artists, JASC Tsukasa Taiko strives to preserve their cultural traditions by providing the highest quality music instruction to people of all ages, by presenting world-class performances and educational programs, and by being an active presence in their community. We are very fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated group join the entertainment bill for this year’s Ethnic Arts Festival. Stay tuned for what day and time they’ll be performing!
This is Kristina signing out…
Friday, May 15, 2009
JASC Tsukasa Taiko drums the legacy at this summer's Ethnic Arts Festival
Monday, May 11, 2009
Mayfest Battle of the Bands
Hello guys and dolls!
What are you up to this weekend? I know! Northwestern organization Mayfest Productions is hosting their annual Battle of the Bands for two nights at Nevin’s, where ten bands will be competing for a chance to play Dillo Day, “the best day at Northwestern” for most students. It will be featuring a variety of music from R&B to Math Rock to Hip-Hop to traditional rock n’ roll. This will mark Mayfest’s first fundraising event leading up to the big day, and other events to follow include a Sing-a-Long to Aladdin and a Battle of the DJs, where the winner will also win a slot on the Dillo Day artist lineup.
Dillo Day is an all-day festival with non-stop music for ten hours and free goodies, and students take the day to celebrate the end of the school year. The winners of the two battle will have the privilege to perform alongside very famous (and still confidential!) bands, and in front of thousands of students. If you’re interested in hearing what Northwestern’s music scene is like, check out Mayfest’s Battle of the Bands on either Thursday, May 14th or Friday, May 15th. Tickets are only $5 and proceeds to go to making Dillo Day even more awesome than it already is.
The list of bands performing is below (lineup on the day of will be a different order)
Thursday May 14th
The Royal Senders
Looney and the Tunes
The Earth is a Man
The Classics
Band Called Catch
Friday May 15th
Mind at Large
Rotimi and the Rainmakers
Right on Red
Slow, Weird and Melodic (SWAM)
Lolita
Hope to see you there on both nights!
This is Kristina signing out…
The Art Institute's Modern Wing Makes Me Want to Rock Out - Opening This Weekend!
In addition, on Saturday the Art Institute plans to shut down Monroe St. to bring in the entire city of Chicago with live music and family activities throughout the galleries. With a dedication at 9:00am with city officials and Renzo Piano, Modern Wing architect, and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00am, the entertainment plans to begin at 11:00am and continue until 5:00. Bands performing include Swing Gitan, Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and more.
Tom Pritzker, chairman of the board of trustees, said that the opening of the Modern Wing was a "historic moment for the Art Institute of Chicago. [It] signals to the world the cultural caliber of the city of Chicago and reaffirms its place as a leading cultural destination." Everyone throughout the city and the suburbs is excited for this event, and the Art Institute knows it. As a thank you to the city for its support and in celebration of the opening, admission to the museum will be free from opening day through Friday, May 22, 2009.
So! Get out to the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Ave.) starting Saturday, May 16th to see the new Modern Wing! For more information go to http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/modernwing !
-L.A.U.R.E.N.
