Godzilla vs. Led Zeppelin
King Edward Elementary School (8530 – 101 street) August 15, 17, 20, 21, 22, 24
More information:fubuki.ca
An interview with Hiroshi Koshiyama of Fubuki Daiko
Fubuki Daiko. Photo credit: Grajewski Fotograph
Describe your show in five words.
Seriously humorous percussive physical spectacle.
Okay, now that we’re intrigued… what’s the longer description?
Winnipeg based Japanese drum group Fubuki Daiko (Foo-Boo-Key Dye-ko) brings their Best of Fest hit from the 2012 Winnipeg Fringe to the 33rd Annual International Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival August 14-24, 2014. Merging strict Eastern discipline with Western sensibilities, Fubuki Daiko reinvents Japanese drumming in this non-stop, no holds barred percussive display that is part martial arts athleticism, part dance, and all rhythm.
Tell us a bit more about the name of your show Godzilla vs. Led Zeppelin. Why did you choose that name?
The title aptly describes our approach to Japanese taiko. Our Western musical influences (Led Zeppelin, Benny Goodman, rap) collide with our deep respect for the traditional Japanese relationship between the drummer and the drum. Sometimes Godzilla prevails, sometimes Led Zeppelin. Sometimes the two forces balance each other out. While we believe what we do is a spiritual practice, we never take ourselves too seriously.
This is your first year at the Edmonton Fringe Festival – what made you want to be part of the festival?
We enjoyed performing the show at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival and wanted to do it again with some slight tweaking. We thought that Edmonton Fringe audiences, who are already familiar with taiko via the local group Kita no Taiko, as well as professional Edmonton taiko duo Booming Tree, would be interested in seeing a different take on the art form.
Anything else you want audiences to know about the show?
It appeals to a wide demographic in terms of both age and interests. The performers engage with the audience in between pieces which themselves are extremely varied both musically and choreographically. In other words, it’s not all just banging on drums.
Bonus question: Any names you want to drop who have been involved in your show (Edmonton arts people or otherwise)?
Greg Shimizu from Booming Tree.
The 33rd Edmonton International Fringe is August 14 – 24. I’ll be previewing shows up until the Fringe starts. Want your show to appear on After the House Lights? Email [email protected].