Mu Daiko Returns to The Cowles Center for Rhythm In Motion

Under the direction of Iris Shiraishi, Minnesota's leading professional taiko drumming ensemble will present their annual evening-length concert including two world premiere songs at The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts (March 7-9, 2014).

Tickets range from $14$34 (including fees) and can be purchased at www.thecowlescenter.org or by calling 612.206.3600.

(Minneapolis) The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts is thrilled to welcome Mu Daiko back to The Goodale Theater March 79. Join us for this power-packed weekend of taiko drumming by Minnesotas premier taiko drumming ensemble. The concert is directed by Mu Daiko Artistic Director Iris Shiraishi, who has led the ensemble since 2011. Mu Daiko has always been known for their blend of music and choreography, but this year's concert promises more high-flying movement than ever before as the entire evening has been created and explosively re-imagined around the theme: Rhythm in Motion.

About Mu Daiko?Mu Daiko was founded in early 1997 by Mu Performing Arts Artistic Director Rick Shiomi. Shiomi began his taiko career with Katari Taiko in Vancouver in the late 1970s, and has also studied and performed with the San Francisco Taiko Dojo under Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka, New Yorks Soh Daiko, and Wasabi Daiko of Toronto. His initial classes attracted students from both Mu actors and the general public, culminating in Mu Daikos first performance in August 1997 at the Lyn-Lake Festival. The professional taiko ensemble performs a variety of traditional and contemporary works, ranging from traditional taiko repertoire to original pieces composed by its members. The group regularly premieres new work at its annual performances, continuing to stretch the boundaries of the art form and contributing to the innovation of American taiko. Members participate in over 100 educational and concert performances annually for schools, community organizations, and corporations throughout Minnesota and the Midwest. Through studio classes and school residencies over the past decade, the Mu Performing Arts taiko program has taught thousands of students of all ages and abilities.

About The Cowles Center?The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts (501(c) 3) is the Twin Cities newest arts center and the flagship for dance in Minnesota. Centrally located in downtown Minneapolis, The Cowles Center includes the newly refurbished 500-seat Goodale Theater; the Hennepin Center for the Arts, home to 20 leading dance and performing arts organizations; the state-of-the-art Target Education Studio, housing The Cowles Centers distance learning program; and the new U.S. Bank Atrium. The Cowles Center fills the need for a place that is a catalyst for the creation, presentation, education, enjoyment and celebration of dance and the performing arts in the Twin Cities. The 2012/13 Season is presented by U.S. Bank with additional support from Ascent Private Capital Management and The Private Client Reserve of U.S. Bank www.thecowlescenter.org.

Rhythm in Motion: Mu Daiko at The Cowles Center

TICKETS:

$14-$34 including fees and can be purchased online at?www.thecowlescenter.org or by calling 612.206.3600.

PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES:

March 7 at 7:30 pm?March 8 at 2:00 pm**?March 8 at 7:30 pm?March 9 at 2:00 pm

** Family Matinee - March 8 at 2:00 PM (kids $10/Adults $18)

A 45-minute show designed for families. Kids are welcome on stage after the show to take their turn at hitting the drums!

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