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Newsletter - December 2008

December Classes Though we are unable to use our former dojo in Emeryville, we are currently holding classes at the First Congregational Church of Oakland for the month of December, and possibly longer. The schedule is limited due to conflicting events at the church. Classes for December will be held as follows:   Beginning 1 classes Thursday, 7 to 9 pm: December 4 and 11 Saturday, 2 to 4 pm: December 6 and 27 We are not accepting new students in December except by prior arrangement. We hope to be welcoming new students again in the new year.   Beginning 2 classes Tuesday, 7 to 9 pm: December 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 Saturday, 11 am to 1 pm: December 6 and 27 (Please note the change in time)   Intermediate class Wednesday, 7 to 9 pm: December 17   Classes will be held at: First Congregational Church of Oakland 2501 Harrison St. (at 27th St.) Oakland, CA 94612   Our classes are in the lower level of the church; enter through the purple door on Harrison street directly opposite the Whole Foods Market loading dock. You can get a map and directions at: http://www.firstoakland.org/?How_to_Find_Us   In search of a new home We are still seeking a temporary or permanent location to hold classes beginning in January. Do you know of a space that might fit our needs? Our ideal space is at least 1000 square feet, plus drum storage space (preferably at least 1600 square feet total), is in or not too far from Emeryville, and is either soundproof or has no neighbors on evenings and weekends.   About fifteen students attended a meeting of the Emeryville City Council on December 2 to appeal to the council to assist us in securing a practice location in Emeryville. Keith Nomura read an open letter to the council and we were able to answer their questions during a forty minute discussion. The mayor and council members were very supportive and directed staff to continue their efforts help us find a space in Emeryville.   Emeryville Taiko students learn Yatai Bayashi with Ringtaro Tateishi In November we had the exciting opportunity to study Yatai Bayashi with Ringtaro Tateishi, former member of Ondekoza. Yatai Bayashi is a traditional taiko song played at an annual festival in the city of Chichibu in Japan. Drummers ride inside floats and play seated in a reclining position, straddling the drum. This style was developed because the floats were originally too small to allow drummers to stand ("yatai" is a food cart), though the festival floats are now enormous. We are grateful to Ringtaro-san for passing his knowledge of this song on to us. Photos by Lansing Lee   December performance On December 7th we returned to the Faculty Club at UC Berkeley to perform at the acupuncture program graduation ceremony.   Support us Emeryville Taiko is a San Francisco Bay Area taiko group providing traditional Japanese drumming classes and performances. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible and your financial support is appreciated. You can donate online at our website.