Ronin Taiko Summons The Spirits For A Dramatic Season Opening Concert At The Morikami November 13, 2008

Ronin Taiko will awaken cultural spirits for a brand new season of arts and entertainment at The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens with an energetic two-hour concert to be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, November 13.

Featured at other Morikami events, such as Sushi & Stroll, Ronin’s powerful performances feature Japanese taiko drums. Designed more than 2,600 years ago to intimidate enemies before a war and to celebrate at religious ceremonies and festivals, the powerful, ancient art of taiko has evolved into a popular form of musical expression and performance art.

Since the group’s creation in 2006, Ronin has performed throughout South Florida and the southeast for a wide range of events from corporate meetings to outdoor festivals. Audiences have enjoyed their music at Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead, Old School Square in Delray Beach, Troy University in Alabama, the Broward Main Library in Ft. Lauderdale and the Miami MetroZoo during Venom Week.

“What we do is more of an experience than separate songs,” said Malia Andersen of Ronin Taiko. “Our background is strong in the martial arts, and we train in Japan twice a year. We try to stay true to taiko and to depict it as accurately as possible. We are diligent in our training, working with our drums five days a week. Everything we do allows us to play the drums more effectively. It is a very physical performance.

“The beauty of the group is its simplicity. We’re still working. We’re still training,” Andersen said. “How can we make it better? How can we hit harder? Jump higher? We ask the audience to honor us with their presence, as we work to do better.”

The concert is $20 for members; $30 for non-members in the Morikami Theater, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. Purchase your tickets online at www.morikami.org , by email to [email protected] or by calling 561-495-0233 extension 214. Seating is first come first served. A cash bar will be available during intermission for refreshments.

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, is owned and operated by the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department, in partnership with The Morikami, Inc. It is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach off Jog Road between Linton Boulevard and Clint Moore Road. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $6 for children and students ages 7 to 17 and free for members and kids 6 and under. For more information about The Morikami, its exhibitions and programs, call 561-495-0233 or visit www.morikami.org.

Official Website: http://www.morikami.org