Japan’s premier drumming ensemble KODO will bring “One Earth Tour 2015: Mystery” program to the U.S. from January through March, 2015. (Courtesy of Los Angeles Philharmonic)
KODO, Japan’s premier drumming ensemble will return to Walt Disney Concert Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 8:00 p.m. with breathtaking physicality in a show featuring classical and modern elements of the taiko art form.
Tickets are $46 - $112. Contact ticket office at (323) 850-2000. www.laphil.com
This year, KODO will bring “One Earth Tour 2015: Mystery” program directed by Kabuki luminary Tamasaburo Bando to U.S. audiences for the first time.
KODO has seen a departure from its traditional costume styles and musical direction since Tamasaburo Bando took the helm as full-time artistic director in 2012. “Mystery” represents a further evolution of the group's new expressions and promises to transport both seasoned fans and first-time viewers alike to uncharted artistic territory.
"It's hard to put into words, but I'm aiming to create a world of mystery," says Tamasaburo Bando. "Across Japan, the folk arts have been handed down for countless generations. There's a sacredness there, an air of mystery within each prayer. The drums express this, and I would like for the audience to feel it, too. I hope theatergoers will experience the same sort of otherworldly splendor that they sense in temples, shrines, and moments of discovery in the forest."
In the vicinity of Los Angeles, KODO performances are scheduled as following:
Feb. 4, at 7:00 p.m. Santa Barbara, Granada Theater, adult $35, $50, $65, UCSB students $20, presented by University of California, Santa Barbara, ticket office (805) 893-3535, http://artsandlecture.sa.ucsb.edu
Feb. 6, at 8:00 p.m. San Diego, Balboa Theater, $27, $42, $62, $77, presented by La Jolla Music Society, (858) 459-3728
Feb. 8, at 3:00 p.m. Tucson, Arizona, Centennial Hall at the University of Arizona, students $15, staff $20, general public $25 - $65, presented by the University of Arizona, (520) 621-3341, http://uspresents.org/kodo
Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m. Mesa, Arizona, Mesa Arts Center, $30 - $60, presented by Mesa Arts Center, (480) 644-6500, www.mesaartscenter.com
Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Las Vegas, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, adults $29 - $99, presented by the Smith Center, (702) 749-2000. www.thesmithcenter.com
