MT. SHASTA — The eighth annual ShastaYama, Shasta Taiko’s summer outdoor taiko and music festival, will be held Saturday, July 28, at 6 p.m. in Shastice Park, located at Rockfellow and Adams at the base of majestic Mount Shasta.
In the alpine beauty of Mount Shasta, a cultural phenomenon has taken hold. Taiko is gaining popularity worldwide and has found its way here. Twenty-four years ago, musicians Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer founded Shasta Taiko, and their taiko program has had a direct impact on the development of American taiko.
ShastaYama will entertain and inspire audiences with a spectacle of Japanese drumming, dance, and music. Last year’s festival attracted over a thousand concert-goers, who experienced world-class artistry in the dramatic venue of Shastice Park.
ShastaYama’s vision and goals are to present taiko in an advantageous setting and encourage original works to further development of the art of taiko and music.
“We believe that one of mankind’s higher level of development is through music, art, and culture; and that cultural exchange and sharing will help to cut through ignorance, misunderstanding, and fear, helping to attain a higher consciousness for all,” said Baba and Mercer.
“The practice of art and music as a discipline liberates oneself by developing new skills, discovering different points of view, growing in self-expression, gaining confidence, and creating something to share with others while hopefully developing awareness, insight, understanding, and compassion.”
In addition to Shasta Taiko, this year’s concert will feature San Jose Taiko, founded by Roy and P.J. Hirabayashi, along with Masato Baba, Kris Bergstrom, Michelle Fujii, and Toru Watanabe.
Food and refreshments will be available. The gate opens at 5 p.m. Bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating on the grass. No pets, no glass. Warm clothes and flashlights are advised for after sunset.
Tickets are $25 (ages 18 and up), $20 (13-17) and $15 (5-12). Admission is free for kids 4 and under with an adult. Online and phone orders are closed, but tickets are available at ticket outlets and at the gate.
For more information, visit http://shastayama.org.