Festival brings world music to Burton

Vashon Allied Arts’ annual outdoor music festival at Camp Burton’s beautiful outdoor amphitheater is this Saturday, Aug. 9.

Vashon Allied Arts’ annual outdoor music festival at Camp Burton’s beautiful outdoor amphitheater is this Saturday, Aug. 9.

Four groups will perform, starting at 5 p.m.: Brazilian music with Eduardo Mendonça; roots/reggae with the Adrian Xavier Band; African music and dance with Sohoyini; and Japanese Taiko drumming by One World Taiko.

Captivating audiences with dynamic fluid movements and heart-pounding percussion, One World Taiko presents contemporary Japanese drumming drawn from ancient tradition.

Founded in 1990 in San Francisco by Gary Tsujimoto and Nancy Ozaki, One World Taiko’s creative rhythms, arrangements and stunning choreography add energy and spirit to the ancient Japanese taiko tradition.

The group has performed throughout the United States, including at the North American Taiko Conference, a recent performance for the Dalai Lama’s Seeds of Compassion event at Qwest Field and the Jackson Hole Film Festival.

From 1993 to 1997, One World Taiko performed as full-time resident taiko players at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center’s Japan Pavilion in Orlando, Fla.

One World Taiko performs traditional pieces and original compositions infused with rhythms derived from their passion for jazz and world music. They perform on drums ranging in size from a four-foot odaiko to the snare-sized shimedaiko.

Other instruments include the shinobue, a bamboo flute, the shamisen, a three-stringed banjo and traditional percussive instruments like the atarigane, hyoshigi and hyotan.

Thanks to support from Boeing and the Vashon Park District, tickets are $12 for VAA members, seniors and students, $14 for general admission and $5 for ages 12 and under. Call 463-5131 to reserve or drop by the Blue Heron or Heron’s Nest to purchase tickets. Tickets will also be available at the gate.

World-inspired meals will be available all evening by “field-to-table” Shefidgets Catering. Kara Jones will offer henna body art. Camp Burton is an alcohol-free venue.

Additional support was provided by Vashon Thriftway, Arts Fund, 4 Culture and Washington State Arts Commission.