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IN THIS ISSUE...
Upcoming Performances
For the full calendar, click here
 
Summer vacation, festivals, picnics, camping, and taiko. It's tough to fit it all in at times. So, we want to give you a heads up as to what's coming up for us. Take a look at our full calendar, reserve a weekend or two to join us while experiencing the many wonderful cultural events that the area has to offer.

Do you have a child who likes drumming?  We have a special 4-week workshop in August that might be just perfect.  Monthly sessions for seniors continue at GreyBears, and newcomers are welcome to join us at 7 PM on Fridays at the dojo.

A big change has happened at Watsonville Taiko. Drummer, teacher, and business manager Taeko D'Andrea has moved to Boise, Idaho.  We will miss her artistry, business acumen, and sense of humor immensely.  Kay Miyamoto has kindly offered to take up the reigns as business manager and  Naoko Yamamoto will be our adult workshop instructor.

Joyce Smith, editor
Interested in booking Watsonville Taiko
for a special public, corporate or private event?
Contact our business manager, Kay Miyamoto at
info@watsonvilletaiko.org 
Watsonville Taiko Retreat
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS!
If you are currently taking classes at the dojo, the Studio, Harbor workshops, or GreyBears,
we need you! We will be having a short retreat day on Saturday, July 23rd.  We will be looking at our plans and goals for the future of Watsonville Taiko. Please join us at Kizuka Hall
Schedule:
10 - 12:30  Adult Drummers input
12:30 - 1:15Potluck! Bring something to share to celebrate the start of our 2nd quarter century
1:15- 2:00 Kids, Youth, and Parents input
25th Anniversary Concert DVD!
Did you miss our 25th Anniversary Concert, Eventide Over Momoyama? Did you see the concert and wish you could see it again? Never fear, the concert DVD has arrived! If you would like to purchase a copy (while they last), send an email to Info@WatsonvilleTaiko.org to reserve a copy. Then mail a check for $20 to Watsonville Taiko, PO Box 1673, Watsonville, CA 95077-1673. Cost includes shipping and handling.
Farewell to Taeko
There are no words to express how much we will miss Taeko san's artistry , pure joy, passion, intensity, and dedication to Watsonville Taiko.  So, a few pictures and videos will have to do instead.  Taeko, we wish you the best in your new adventures up north!


The passion
The beauty
Golden Chopstick Awards
A family affair
Her laughter

The solos
Backstage notes
And, just for fun...a few videos
Taiko Improv at the Dojo
Taiko improv at the dojo

She always played a wonderful shime - June 2010
She always played a wonderful shime - June 2010
Practicing a solo
Practicing a solo
Taeko's Memories - in her own words

I became a Watsonville Taiko member in January of 2000 at the same time as Tommy, my son. Tommy's class met from 5:00 -6:00, and mine started at 7:00. We used to go to Burger King for a quick dinner. After 3 months or so, we started to be a bit more creative about dinner and went out to pizza, Foster Freeze, burritos...ha-ha.

The first time I drummed in front of the audience was at the anniversary concert in October, 2000. We, the beginners, played one song, which was the combination of simple rhythms. We moved and danced from one drum to another... I do not even know the name of the song... We got a complement from Ikuyo sensei, "The beginners got a great energy!"
Continued...
Time to Learn to Drum
Photo by Phil Shima
Photo by Phil Shima
KIDS' SUMM ER TAIKO

4 Fridays: August 5, 12, 19, & 26
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Ages 8 and up
$45
Watsonville Taiko Dojo - Kizuka Hall
150 Blackburn St, Watsonville

Experience Rhythm, Movement,  
and Power 
Develop Better Balance and Coordination

Information & Registration 
Ikuyo Conant (831) 234-4528 


Taiko for Seniors!
Information & Registration 
Ikuyo Conant (831) 234-4528 
Harbor Workshop Coming Fall 2016
Taeko san may have moved to Boise, but Naoko san hasn't, and she will be our teacher at Harbor in this fall! If you are interested in learning taiko and live in the Santa Cruz area, this workshop may be for you! Classes will run from late September to early December, Monday afternoons from 3:45 - 4:45 at Harbor High School (tentative). Full scholarships available for Harbor High students.  If interested, please email Watsonville Taiko or Naoko Yamamoto. More details and the exact dates will be available soon.
Upcoming Performances

Obon 2015
Watsonville Obon Festival
Sunday, July 17
Watsonville Buddhist Temple
Obon is a time of joyous celebration and gratitude to the generations who went before us and gave us the gift of life. The highlight of the day is colorful dancing in which the community is invited to participate.
Sunday, July 24th
Santa Cruz to Capitola
Each year, on the fourth Sunday in July, thousands of runners from across America and around the globe return to Santa Cruz, California for the annual six-mile race to Capitola-by-the-Sea.
It may be too late to sign up to run, but not to enjoy the fun!
We drum at the Private Beach gate (yes, the one in the news lately) 
 


Sunday, August 7
Downtown Santa Cruz

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2016, the Church Street Fair offers an inspiring immersion into the famously vibrant cultural scene of Santa Cruz, California, as expressed through music, dance, art, food, and wine. We drum at 2:30 on Sunday after the Family Concert. 
 

Watsonville Taiko is grateful for ongoing community support including funding from the Arts Council Santa Cruz
and a grant from the ACTA.