Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble (SYTE) premieres their new collaborative performance entitled Runaway Moon, inspired by a story poignantly illustrated in Japanese sumie ink painting by featured artist and storybook author Minette Mangahas. SYTE artists Naoko Amemiya, Ellen Bepp, Jimi Nakagawa and Kallan Nishimoto will be joined on stage by guest violinist, cellist, and movement artist Jeannie Mckenzie.

Beautiful melodies, mesmerizing visuals, lyrical movement and the strong, dramatic beat of taiko drums come together in this exciting cross-disciplinary performance. Based on Mangahas’ story, Runaway Moon showcases Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble's inventive explorations at the intersection of music, theater, dance, and taiko. This simple tale of a moon seemingly chasing a horse through a span of one night from dusk to dawn mirrors our current fears and hopes in post-911 America.

Friday, Saturday: NOVEMBER 17 – 18 at 8:00 PM
Sunday: NOVEMBER 19 at 7:30 PM

SomArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street, SF

ADMISSION: $17 in advance/students/seniors/$20 at the door/$10 children 12 and under

ONLINE TICKETS: www.apiculturalcenter.org
Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble is a four-member performing group based in the Bay Area that creates cross-cultural interdisciplinary contemporary art rooted in Japanese taiko drumming traditions. The company's original work infuses the art of taiko with contemporary approaches to choreography and instrumentation, incorporating modern music, postmodern choreography, lighting and visual projections. Since their debut in 1999, they have received rave reviews for their work with such prominent choreographers as Robert Moses and Sara Shelton Mann and renowned musicians such as Marcus Shelby, Masayuki Koga, Peter Whitehead, Norman Rutherford and Kenny Endo.