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COVER STORY First Night 2000: A sampler Bang the drum loudly     MORE INFORMATION Sat. 10:30-11:15 p.m., 12-12:45 a.m. Hynes: Auditorium 7 Odaiko New England Drumming is elemental, ritualistic, and fun, the perfect punctuation to end a millennium. First Night has a slew of drummers in concert as well as workshops for anyone who cares to beat out a rhythm. Odaiko New England, which combines movement and music with pounding on the traditional Japanese taiko drum, presents "Millenni-One: Rhythms for the World." "It's different from what most audiences think of as Asian fine arts," says member Elaine Fong. The sound can be thunderous. "We will unveil our big drum, which has a 36-inch head," Fong says. "It puts out a lot of sound." Before taiko went on the road as entertainment, it was used in rituals by those practicing the Buddhist and Shinto religions. "They used it to inspire samurai warriors to battle," says Fong. "Or to keep time as farmers planted rice, and scare insects away. In festivals in Japan, you always hear the sound of the taiko." Taiko drums come in different sizes and shapes, and are played in various rhythms. At First Night, the 12 members of Odaiko New England will play works written for the event. For its third appearance at First Night, Odaiko is gearing its program toward adults. But that doesn't mean the audience won't be invited to participate. "Part of the thrill of taiko is it draws audiences," says Fong. "People should bring something to make noise with. We're hoping to teach the audience a rhythm we can all play together." - Cate McQuaid Previous page | Next page

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