A compilation of taiko performances from the 2024 Phoenix Arizona Matsuri made for the Taiko Community Alliance (TCA).
I had the honor of attending the Matsuri and helping run a TCA booth, our first time at the event. On this trip, I also visited the Phoenix Convention Center and scouted out locations for the North American Taiko Conference (NATC) being held in Phoenix in 2025. I was very impressed with the size and scope of the festival, as well as the amount of taiko and other cultural arts. I was surprised to run into old friends at the festival, too! It's amazing how interconnected and small-town the JA and taiko communities can feel, even as a visitor from California to Arizona.
As a compilation, the videos blend together in a way that feels organic to my memory and experience of the event. I was surprised how smoothly the many sights and sounds coalesced into a meta-composition that, at least to my memory, feels alive. It's been a while since I've been able to just watch taiko - I'm usually on the other side of the drum! It was refreshing to find that after all these years, somewhat unprepared to be a spectator, I still experience the same joy witnessing taiko.
Video from February 24-25, 2024 at the Steele Indian School Park.
Lack of coverage of some groups represents my work schedule and is unintentional.