Just Do It

Tamagawa Taiko & Dance


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Published: Apr 2, 2008

Sat., April 5, 2 and 8 p.m., $30, Painted Bride Arts Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914, paintedbride.org. The ensemble also performs at other venues throughout the week. For more information, visit jasgp.org/konnichiwa-philadelphia.

(CLICK IMAGES FOR LARGER VERSIONS)

According to Painted Bride music curator Lenny Seidman, a performance by Tamagawa Taiko & Dance Ensemble "can bring people to have watery eyes." And by that he does not mean that the show is sad. "It is so beautiful," he says. "The spirit they convey is so high and joyous."

The colorful corps, which will appear at several venues as part of the Japan America Society of Philadelphia's Cherry Blossom Festival, is composed of 11 drummers and 22 dancers. The drummers perform in an intricately choreographed athletic manner that recalls martial-arts movement; Seidman calls the dancers' costumes "radiant ... they are just exquisite." The drummers and dancers present enthusiastic numbers — some of which draw on centuries-old kabuki and folkloric traditions, while others are original — paired with broad sonic dynamics. "The sound can be thunderous, but it can also be very delicate. They play with a lot of subtlety," says Seidman.

Many pieces portray stories of Japanese origin, though the theatrics give them universal appeal. "It's a real family thing," says Seidman. "It's really something that cuts across all ages."