North American Taiko Conference 2009

Otsukaresama! Thank you! See you in 2011!

admin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:19:54 +0000

Everyone has gone home, the taiko have been returned to the local group and the JACCC is now deep into Nisei Week. As I walked through the plaza this past weekend filled with food and craft vendors, a karate demonstration on the stage and tons of people gathered for the Nisei Week Parade, I quietly reminisced about our time at Taiko Conference. The power surrounding that plaza from the beginning of the Summer Taiko Institute to Taiko 10 to Taiko Jam to our last group photo after the closing - it still fills me and is ever so vivid in my memory.

Thank you for your confidence in me. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your commitment to learn and teach taiko. Thank you for late night talks. Thank you for your insight. Thank you for your guidance. Thank you for the passion. Thank you for the love. Thank you for the community that came together once again August 7-9 in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

Thank you Taiko Conference…on to Stanford in 2011!

Otsukaresama Desu,
Darren Endo

It’s here! It’s here!

admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:15:44 +0000

The long awaited Taiko Conference is here!!

We kick off the weekend tonight with the Welcome Reception at Centenary Church hosted by the Southern California taiko community!

We are so excited to see Little Tokyo fill up with taiko folks!

Taiko Marketplace Schedule Change

Friday, August 7: 11:30am - 4:45pm (to accomodate the Oguchi Tribute)

Saturday, August 8: 11:00am - 7:00pm (no change)

Sunday, August 9: 11:00am - 3:00pm (to accomodate Closing Session and Opportunity Drawing)

See you soon!

Some cool stuff!!

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:21:48 +0000

The following items will be on sale at the conference!! Come check out the NATC merchandise table and get yours throughout the conference weekend while supplies last!!

1. NATC official t-shirts

2. NATC iphone cases

3. NATC water bottles

4. NATC reusable shopping bags

Click on the image to see the items bigger!

Click on the image to see it bigger!

July 29 — UPDATES

admin — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:48:43 +0000

Let the countdown begin! TEN MORE DAYS until the North American Taiko Conference officially takes off with the Opening Ceremony!

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– Workshops have been assigned!! To check, please log in to your account.

If you would like to request a change to your workshop schedule, you may do so at the following times:

Thursday, August 6, 5:00pm-6:00pm.

Friday, August 7, 8:00am-9:00am

– Volunteer assignments will be emailed soon! Thank you for signing up!!

– Get your Taiko Jam 09 tickets! The four groups (Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko, Kishin Daiko, On Ensemble, and Portland Taiko) have been rehearsing hard for the show, so “DON” miss out! You can get more info and tickets by visiting the Taiko Jam page!!

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Fun Fact: Close to 150 attendees will be experiencing the North American Taiko Conference for the first time this year!!

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Two More Weeks!

admin — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:50:54 +0000

In just TWO WEEKS, Little Tokyo will be filled with taiko players for the conference!

– Discussion Sessions: Still can’t get enough Taiko? Come join our expert panelists on Aug 8, 12:45PM, in a series of informal discussion sessions that will cover a wide range of topics regarding taiko. Discussion session descriptions have been updated, so check out the Discussion Sessions page!

– Welcome Reception: Thank you to those who have been sending donations to the Welcome Reception Fund through PayPal and checks! If you would like to contribute, please visit the Welcome Reception page!

– Taiko Jam Tickets are going fast!! Visit here to get yours today!

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Fun Fact: You have an opportunity to watch 14+ performances throughout the Taiko Conference weekend!!

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Taiko Marketplace, Group Directory, Transportation, and Taiko Jam Promo Video

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:34:10 +0000

– TAIKO MARKETPLACE - We are pleased to announce the Taiko Marketplace vendors! Check out the details and the full list of vendors here! All these vendors in one place!

– GROUP DIRECTORY - Taiko group directory and bios are now available here!

– TRANSPORTATION - If you are looking for alternate ways of getting from LAX or Burbank Airport to the Little Tokyo area, make sure to check out this page!

– TAIKO JAM 09 - Here’s a video to give you a sneak peak of the Taiko Jam 09 performing groups!
Taiko Jam 09 Promo Video

July 17, 2009 - UPDATES!!

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:47:24 +0000

– REMINDER: Online Registration cut-off date is JULY 24! If you have not registered yet and want to attend the conference, sign up today! After that, you will only be able to pay on the day of the event, on site (at the JACCC).

– Equipment! If you are interested in lending taiko to the Taiko Conference, please contact Jason Osajima (josajima@gmail.com). The conference workshops and performances would not be possible without the generous groups lending us their taiko!

– Discussion Session descriptions are up! Come check out the details of this year’s discussion sessions! Click here! Which one will you attend??

– Volunteers! Yes, we still need you!! You can volunteer even if you are taking workshops! There’s lots to do behind the scene and we need your help! Sign up here!

– TAIKO JAM ‘09 - Have you gotten your tickets yet? Remember, if you can get a group of 10 or more, you can get the group price! Check out all the info and tickets here! You can also view the promo video here!

– NATC Welcome Reception

Here are the details for the welcome reception!!

Thursday, August 6, 2009
6:30 - 9:00PM
Centenary United Methodist Church
300 S Central Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90013-1710

If you would like to donate to the Welcome Reception fund, please make checks payable to JAPANESE AMERICAN CULTURAL & COMMUNITY CENTER (JACCC) and send to:
Taiko Conference Reception Fund
c/o: Jen Baik
244 South San Pedro Street, Suite 505
Los Angeles, CA 90012

OR
If you would like to donate via PAYPAL, click here or check out the welcome reception page for more info.

Leadership Forum

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:47:24 +0000

Are you currently taking on a leadership role or interested in becoming a leader in your taiko group? There is a pre-conference event that you might be interested in!

The Leadership Forum will take place on Thursday, August 6th - 1:30pm to 4:00pm at the Aratani/Japan America Theater.

Click here for more information about the Leadership Forum!

July 9, 2009 UPDATES!

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:48:26 +0000

– DEADLINE TO PAY for registration online is July 24th! After that, you will only be able to pay on the day of the event, on site (at the JACCC).

– LAST CALL FOR ADS!! - If you would like to place an ad in the Taiko Conference Program Booklet, please email taikoconference09@jaccc.org by Tuesday, July 14th.

– WELCOME RECEPTION - Location is set! The Southern California taiko community will be welcoming the conference participants at Centenary Church in Little Tokyo on Thursday, August 6th at 6:30pm! SoCal Taiko players, please start thinking about what you will be bringing to the reception! More details coming soon!

– DISCUSSION SESSIONS - Discussion topics have been confirmed! Check here!!!

– VOLUNTEERS - We still need you! Check out the volunteer page and contact tnguyen@jaccc.org.

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Fun Fact: Did you know that there will be 101 groups represented at this year’s taiko conference?? It’s going to be an exciting weekend!!!

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One month from today!

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:55:34 +0000

We are exactly ONE MONTH away from the conference! We are getting everything organized and finalized for the big weekend.

Are you a first time conference attendee? What can you expect?

*You’ll meet and make lots of new taiko friends! First opportunity? The Welcome Reception on Thursday night!

*You’ll expand your taiko experience through the workshops and discussions!

*You’ll have an opportunity to listen to and enjoy different taiko groups at Taiko Jam and Taiko 10!

*You can browse through the Taiko Marketplace and purchase taiko goodies!

*You can enjoy the lunchtime presentations while you eat!

*You can jam with everyone during the Morning Jam Session on Sunday morning!

… and so much more!!! You can check out the conference schedule here!