The (first time virtual) 2020 Australasian Wadaiko Festival was held on Sunday 5 July, for 2 hours via Zoom. Two members of our Toowoomba Taiko tribe participated: Arielle Bangalan, who appeared online with the UQ Taiko group, and me (Sian), who introduced our Taiko to the Australian and New Zealand audience of other Taiko groups and leaders/speakers. Each group had 5 minutes, which seems longer when playing and no time at all when speaking, to talk about our taiko people and practice.
Some groups have been in existence for 10 or 20 years and have very professional videos. Others have been in existence for five or more years so, at three years, our group is one of the newest. NZ has around 11 groups in the North Island and two groups in the South. Australia has more than 20 groups throughout most States, not all of whom were online yesterday. Taiko is alive and well down under! One group have spawned professional Taiko drum-makers as well.
The generosity of the Takatsuki drum donation and the short snippet of energetic video, playing Isamigoma from the Kajoku restaurant Takatsuki earthquake fundraiser, impressed the viewers too. I look forward to the time we can play or attend in person at the Festival and catch the vibrant atmosphere. Taiko in Australasia appears to be a pleasant and supportive community, committed to promoting an eclectic mix of traditional Japanese and Australasian-influenced music and culture.