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Newsletter Update September, 2001

PEACE AND HARMONY SERVICE

On Sunday, September 23, TCLA will hold a memorial service for the victims of the terrorist attacks which occurred in New York and Washington D.C. The Peace and Harmony Service will be held at Huntington Beach State Park at Magnolia and Pacific Coast Hwy. Rev. Tom Kurai will conduct the service at 4:30 pm.

TCLA members, families and friends are invited to attend. Other activities for the day includes: 2 pm Fun in the Sun; 4 pm Burning of Taiko Boxes; 5 pm Drum Circle for Healing and 6 pm Roasting Hot Dogs. Food will be provided by TCLA. Please bring your own beverages.

Directions: Take 405 frwy and exit at Magnolia. Take Magnolia toward beach. Entrance is on Pacific Coast Hwy. Parking is $3.00. Ask the park aid at the kiosk for the lot number of the TCLA party.

TCLA JAPAN TOUR SUCCESS

On August 25, twenty-two members of TCLA returned from a two-week taiko tour of Japan. The whirlwind tour included stops in 8 cities including Tokyo, Sado Island, Fukui, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Matto,Ise and Toba.

Taiko highlights were: Kodo’s Earth Celebration, performing at the Otaiko Festival inFukui, workshops from Hon No Daiko at the Asano Taiko Company in Matto and fromKiyonari Tosha sensei of Miyamoto Taiko Company in Tokyo. The group also visited Ago Kaijin Daiko in Ugata.

The tour enabled the members to learn more about the spirit of taiko in the country that originated the art form, the spirit of brotherhood between taikoists in the U.S. and Japan and the spirit of togetherness among the members of TCLA. It was an unforgettable experience for all.

TCLA would like to thank Carol Hida of American Holiday Travel and our guide Ken Suzuki for their organization and expertise on the trip.

TAIKO CLASSES

TCLA classes are underway again after a month off. The Japanese American National Museum class has three new students: Kathleen Ito, Christine Kaneshige and Elaine Wu. Thurday’s Sozenji class welcomes two new students, Brian Nagami and transferring from the TRW class, Jessica Ellis. Welcome back to returning students Robert Ishii, Keven Chang, Winnie Kataoka and Miyo Minato to the Thurs class.

Rev. Tom will be back teaching taiko at UC Riverside and Patton State Hospital on October 2. The Music Center Education Division has assigned a three-month residency to Rev. Tom to hold taiko classes to 2nd through 5th grade students at Rio Vista Elementary School in San Bernardino starting in January, 2002.

CLASS SCHEDULE

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES & EVENTS