Burnaby residents can see a unique Japanese subculture on stage this Thursday.
Vancouver Okinawa Taiko, a group of Vancouver dancing drummers, is putting on a show at Burnaby's Michael J Fox Theatre to help orphans from the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami.
Vancouver Okinawa Taiko will perform on Thursday, Oct. 16 with two other acts from Japan: Chijinshu Wakatiida, another Okinawan taiko group, and Hidekatsu, an Okinawan singer-songwriter.
The drumming, dancing, and singing are all from Okinawa, the southern most region of Japan, which has its own distinct culture and history.
"Okinawa style is a body-held drum, and there's dance and drumming at the same time, accompanied by Okinawa music," said Masami Hanashiro, one of the drummers from Vancouver Okinawa Taiko.
Thursday's performance is called Chimugukuru, which means compassion in the Okinawan language.
Tickets are $20 at the door ($10 for seniors and students, while children under three are free). Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. All proceeds go to the Ashinaga, a Japanese organization that helps orphans worldwide.
For tickets, call 604-250-9532 or email [email protected].
