Next stop after Hawaii was Sado Island. The earth Celebration is a festival, that is held every year by Kodo and the people of Sado. A lot of Taiko is involved. Lots of people are there and have a good time. The center piece (at least until this year) are the big concerts in the evening, that are held in the Shiroyama park of Ogi, a little port town. Besides that there are workshops held, where you can try out to play the drums yourself and other stuff. So called fringe events provide all kinds of music during the, again a lot of drums but also others. There are tents set up at the harbor, that provide food and all kinds of nic nac. And there are other activities to explore the island.
I arrived on Thursday afternoon, just in time for the Noh Theater, a pre event. I did not understand much but the atmosphere was great. In the last piece I liked especially the combination of old and new, Noh figures, classical dance and modern dance.
On the next day I participated in the "let's play Taiko" workshop, held by Sammy chan. She is such a great person, full of energy and always smiling, I love her!
After teaching us some basics including watching at each other we were allowed to hit the big drums in the practice room. Real fun and so powerful.
In the afternoon I participated in the seminar about Bali music, that provided some background about the music, we would hear on the second evening. Very interesting, although everything was in Japanese (as announced) but luckily I met Sandra in the Bus and she explained the most important parts, so I got the idea. And the practical part I understood anyways. We could play these great instruments ourselves.
The first evenings concert was all about Kodo. A great show, although it was raining a bit. But that did not stop the good vibrations. (No pictures, as pictures are not allowed of any concert or workshop performances)
We got to know the perfect Japanese organization in handling huge masses of people, that have to get into a park via a small steep path, that allows about 4 people side by side. We queued for entrance order cards in the morning. They define your spot in the queue in the evening. In the evening you get lined up in four rows in groups of 30 to 40 people and sorted. Then you are lead up the hill. On top you are sorted again (no passing on the way up!) and released in small groups to get on to the lawn. No running please! This is done in three batches and covers about 2000 people within one hour. The rest is done unsorted but never the less organized.
After the concert about 3000 (?) have to leave the area down that steep narrow path. This is done very organized and calm again. No pushing, no rushing, no running. The police channels the masses with a gate, where they only let through one or two at a time, so the path is never crowded. When everything goes smooth they open the gate a bit wider to let more people through and within 30 minutes max the lawn is empty. I was told, not only everybody left but also not a single piece of trash left (off course with separated trash).
On the second day I did the Miake Taiko workshop. This is a drumming style where you take a low stance and beat the drum from the side. It has a base rhythm, that is for example played on one side of the drum and the 'melody', that is played on the other side. We learned the rhythm first, than tha movement of the arms and last the ivements off legs and body. I struggled with the rhythm already and finally gave up with the arms. I preferred watching and feeling the drums.
The concert in the evening was great again, seeing the Balinesian group in action.
On Sunday after several good firing performances than the big final concert with all combined, what a great finale!
Some more pictures
On Monday I toured the island a bit. What a beautiful place!
Making use of each little piece of flat land.
And squeezing houses, wherever there is space.
