European Taiko Expo 2021(+1)
A showcase of European Taiko
Held in October 2022 in Hamburg, the ETE21+1 is a weekend of exposition displaying the diversity of the European Taiko Scene, including an evening concert featuring European Taiko compositions. A program of online sessions ran throughout 2021 in preparation for the weekend.
Building on the legacy of the European Taiko Conferences, and picking up where the community left off in 2019, it’s time to showcase the voices of European Taiko and present them to the world!
The European Taiko Expo is a platform for taiko players to present and experience taiko the way they want it, with the opportunity for all members of the community to shape the event throughout the year. This event is to be built by the community, for the community – and will be as exciting as you want to make it!
So, let’s celebrate the joy of playing taiko together, and be inspired to create and develop the unique voice of European Taiko.
CONNECT
CONNECT: Euro Taiko is as diverse as the cultures which exist on the continent. The expo is an opportunity to meet and talk shop with taiko players of all levels and styles from across Europe, creating personal, artistic and professional connections which may blossom into new friendships, artistic directions, and collaborative projects.
SHARE
SHARE: What is normal for one group can be exciting and groundbreaking for players with a different background. During the expo, we encourage participants to share their taiko experiences to enrich the knowledge and understanding throughout the Euro Taiko community and develop taiko in Europe as an artform.
LEARN
LEARN: New input is the inspiration needed to spark creativity and innovation. The focus of the expo is to offer a large variety of short workshops in a limited time, to give an overview of what’s out there across the Euro Taiko community. The European Taiko Expo is a place to learn how already familiar things can be approached in a different way, and for players and teachers to add new skills to their taiko toolbox.
PARTICIPATE
Represent your group
Each group registered for the ETE will have an official Expo poster on display and a group representative/s available for inquiries. Groups are encouraged to host a space of their own, or can display material on the general promotion table.
Share something important
Volunteer to lead a session: On-drum and off-drum topics are encouraged!
Submit your ideas
Let us know what you would like to see and do at the event.
Share your compositions
Showcase the voices of Euro Taiko by sharing parts of your compositions in a workshop – or on the stage!
Play together
Celebrate the joy of playing together with community repertoire. Which songs? That’s for the community to decide throughout the year.
Host a commercial stall
Sell your taiko-related wares to the community, and connect with future customers and clients. Drums, bachi, costuming, bags, accessories – anything taiko related is welcome!
Show the community what you’re building and how: displays of behind-the-scenes photos, videos and unfinished products are encouraged!
Add your items to the Expo merch stall
You can also sell your small taiko-related items through the general merch stall, leaving you free to enjoy the Expo.
ONLINE SESSIONS: Part of the ETE21
The ETE team hosted online sessions throughout 2021, as a component of the European Taiko Expo. Taiko enthusiasts from around the world were welcome to take part, and to celebrate the voices of European taiko together with each other in preparation for the in-person event.
2021 SESSIONS:
CONCERT NIGHT
Europe has a relatively short and multi-rooted history of Taiko, compared to places such as Japan, North America and Australia. However, that doesn’t mean that it lacks depth, content or enthusiasm amongst its taiko players! On the contrary, this allows for the development of a unique voice representative of the European experience, and for players to tell their own stories through the drums in their own way.
This concert will present a selection of the voices of Euro Taiko in one exciting night of music and story telling.
Curated by the core team in Hamburg, it will be an integrated performance start-to-finish: no announcer, just Taiko. A celebration of the individual European groups who are creating and composing original works and also a space for new collaborative works to be presented. It will weave the individual voices of Euro Taiko into a colourful tapestry that connects us all.
All European performance groups/solo artists who have created original taiko pieces were welcome to apply, and we were overwhelmed by the number and quality of what we received. A heartfelt Thank You to all of those who applied! It was a difficult decision to make, and keeping in mind that there’s no way to represent an entire community in 2 hours (that’s why ETE21+1 is a multi-day event!), we’re excited to present the lineup for 2022*, including groups from the Netherlands, Italy, and Israel!
*Due to the postponement, the following groups from the original 2021 lineup are unfortunately not able to attend: Kion Dojo, TaikoMon, Wadaiko Makoto, and WADOKYO.
EXPOSITION
Connecting, sharing and learning from each other is important for developing the artform of Taiko and the community in Europe. The expo day is a way to pool together the resources that are available, and for the community to find the things they are looking for. The content of this day is totally up to you and based completely on submissions and suggestions from the European Taiko community. We encourage you all to take part!
Each European-based group is invited to have an official Expo poster on display and a group representative/s available for inquiries. We will be collecting submissions all year!
THREE DEDICATED SPACES
PLUS lots of room for social time…
On-drum sessions led by community members.
A chance to experience how different groups in Europe approach, play and teach taiko and taiko-related skills. Gain a new perspective, and improve your playing!
All taiko players (not only group leaders and teachers) are welcome to lead a session and share something of interest with the community.
Examples: Fundamentals such as stance, grip, movement, dynamics and basic patterns. Exercises that are unique to your group. Taiko drills, call and response, lead by example, rhythm games.
Applications are now closed.
Off-drum sessions led by community members.
An opportunity to dig further into specific taiko-related topics, without drums. Share what you want to share (as a talk, presentation, or workshop), or start the discussion about something you want to learn more about!
All taiko players are encouraged to suggest topics to be addressed, even if you are not willing to lead the session!
Examples: Teaching, performance, creativity, taiko therapy, technology and taiko, improvisation, composition, warm up routines, special needs groups, body awareness, dance, coordination.
Applications are now closed.
Drum it out with players from around Europe!!
Performances throughout the day, including the opportunity to share the stage with players from other groups through shared repertoire. The pieces played were chosen in 2021 by you, the community!
Thanks to everyone who voted last year and attended the online Meet-The-Composer Prep Course for the top songs. We can’t wait to play them with you in October!
Poll is now closed.
PROMOTION STALLS
*Due to the postponement, the following stalls from the original 2021 lineup will not be present in 2022: SHAMISEN BERLIN e.V, WADOKYO OHG, WAKIYA.
ETE21+1 SCHEDULE
European Taiko Expo 2021(+1)
Hosted by TAIKO BASTARDS in collaboration with taiko artists from across Europe.
Thanks to our official sponsors:
ASANO TAIKO U.S., Inc
The Asano Foundation for Taiko Culture Research
Folke Schönhoff
kaDON
Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten
To receive updates by email:
#EuroTaikoExpo 