A Few of Our Favorite Videos
For more videos see our YouTube channel.
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Celebr(Asian)A terrific night at Northeastern University. Boston, MA
Sponsored by the Pan Asian American Council based at the Asian American Center. |
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The Genki Spark DebutOpening for the Boston Asian American Film Festival. Stuart Street Playhouse, Boston, MA
BAAFF/The Genki Spark segment courtesy of Xfinity TV On Demand by Comcast.  |
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When The Genki Spark was invited to open for the 2010 Boston Asian American Film Festival, a call for Asian women was launched. With less than 3 weeks to plan there was much work to do. The emails that zoomed around to close friends and family read something like this: "1-2 other Asian women artists needed to perform taiko for the opening of the Boston Asian American Film Festival. Don't be intimidated by the fact that taiko typically takes 3 years to learn the basics or 10 to be considered good. Everyone gets to try. Come join other Asian women to show off your strong, bold, zestful spirit. Must be able to attend two rehearsals."
Within 24 hours, not just 1-2 but nearly a dozen Asian women had courageously stepped forward. The response was overwhelming and the peer support was incredible. Some women encouraged their friends--"Come on, I'll do it if you do it"--while others goosed their siblings. With the exception of 3 experienced players, the large majority had never even touched a taiko. As you know, taiko drumming is NOT a subtle art form. For Asian women who have been told not to be loud, not to be showy, and to always put the needs of others before their own, this became an opportunity not only to get behind the Film Festival but to get behind the Film Festival as fierce, proud, creative, visible, Asian WOMEN.
Using a combination of taiko and gomikan (trash can drums), this arrangement made up of simple rhythms common to the taiko community, is designed for us to show our true "genki" spirit. Thank you to the BAAFF for giving us this special opportunity to support the Festival and Asian American artists.
Within 24 hours, not just 1-2 but nearly a dozen Asian women had courageously stepped forward. The response was overwhelming and the peer support was incredible. Some women encouraged their friends--"Come on, I'll do it if you do it"--while others goosed their siblings. With the exception of 3 experienced players, the large majority had never even touched a taiko. As you know, taiko drumming is NOT a subtle art form. For Asian women who have been told not to be loud, not to be showy, and to always put the needs of others before their own, this became an opportunity not only to get behind the Film Festival but to get behind the Film Festival as fierce, proud, creative, visible, Asian WOMEN.
Using a combination of taiko and gomikan (trash can drums), this arrangement made up of simple rhythms common to the taiko community, is designed for us to show our true "genki" spirit. Thank you to the BAAFF for giving us this special opportunity to support the Festival and Asian American artists.