Search Great Leap Home News Programs Artists Booking Calendar About GL Community Site Map Contact us Mailing list Supporters Board Staff Photo Gallery Online Survey Message Board Rice, Frijoles, Greens Grain of Sand Grain Reunion Concert To All Relations Great Leap, in collaboration with San Jose Taiko presents... Triangle Project: "Journey of the Dandelion" "The seeds of the dandelion Scatters in the sky A wind born weed, a wildflower Watch it fly… Dancing on the wind, spinning to a world beyond the eye Dancing on wind, new life begins…" The Triangle Project: "Journey of the Dandelion," an international colaboration featuring Yoko Fujimoto - principal vocalist of KODO, PJ Hirabayashi - Creative Director of San Jose Taiko, and Nobuko Miyamoto - Artistic Director of Great Leap; and directed by Kevin Higa. The Triangle Project: "Journey of the Dandelion," is a meditation on peace that takes the audience beyond performance, invoking ritual through stories, taiko and dance, to bring light and harmony to our fractured world. Much like the resilient dandelion that endures the harshest environments, these artists explore their common roots and disparate experiences as Japanese and Sansei (third generation Japanese Americans) through dislocations caused by migration, war, and atomic holocaust. Using the vibration of their compelling musical experience they invoke a universal call for unity for a world rapt in violence. These three women have made significant and lasting contributions to their individual art forms nationally and internationally for over 30 years. The physical exuberance and musicality of PJ Hirabayashi's taiko has been the trademark of San Jose Taiko, inspiring taiko groups across the US and abroad. Nobuko Miyamoto's songs pioneeres a cultural voice for Asian Americans, continuing through her theater works that speak to deepen relations between diverse peoples. Yoko Fujimoto, with KODO, reclaimed Japanese folk songs and made it her own with her powerfully moving voice. Hirabayashi, the initiator of The Triangle Project, explains, "I have been friends with Nobuko and Yoko for many years and have been profoundly inspired by each of their artistry. We first came together in 2000, with Nobuko and Yoko meeting for the very first time. The Triangle Project has been a gift for us to explore and distill our works to the basic essence of simplicity and beauty and to overcome the challenges of distance, language, and culture to form a universal expression of spirit and values." About the Triangle Project: --Nobuko's Artist Statement --PJ Hirabayashi's Artist Statement --Yoko Fujimoto's Artist Statement --Artist Bios Photos: --Monterey Bay World Premiere (10/26/05) --Los Angeles Premiere (11/5/05) --New York Trip 2007 (5/2007) Triangle Project Updates: --Nobuko's New York Tour Diary (5/30/07) --Rafu Shimpo Article (10/26/05) --World Premieres: 10/26 & 11/5! --June 2003 Update Help support the Triangle Project, and make a Tax-deductible Donation today! Updated: 8/1/07

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