The Moab Taiko Dan, a local Japanese drumming group, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a special performance at Old City Park on Saturday, September 28 at 3 p.m.
Karen Feary, a member of the group for the past 14 years, shared the history and excitement of this milestone in a recent interview.
“We’re so excited. I mean, we decided this year we needed to do something,” she said. One of the group’s founders, Annette Kearl, will be present at the anniversary performance, offering her support and rhythmic guidance.
Feary discovered her passion for Taiko drumming 14 years ago at the Moab Arts Festival.
“I saw the group performing and I immediately said, ‘Oh, I want to do that!'” she recalled.
The Moab Taiko Dan currently consists of seven core members, with a few beginners. The group welcomes newcomers and encourages anyone interested in Taiko to attend their Thursday introductory practices held at Center Street Gym.
While the group currently comprises all women, Feary emphasized that Taiko is for everyone and that they would love to have more men join.
“We’ve had some very active male drummers in the past, and everyone is welcome,” Feary said. “It can be very physical, and the sound and vibrations are so good for stress relief.”
The anniversary performance will feature a unique format, with a 30-minute set followed by a 30-minute intermission for cake, cookies, drinks, and mingling. The second half of the performance will showcase a different style, with drums on slanted stands.
Feary also spoke about the various traditional drums used in Taiko, including large Odaiko drums, medium-sized Chudaiko drums, and smaller Shime drums. The group even crafts their own drums using wine barrels and cowhides.
In addition to their anniversary performance, the Moab Taiko Dan performs at various community events and has a rich history of sharing their music with the Moab community.
In fact, Feary said, the group has collected video of performances throughout the years on its YouTube page.
“It’s the second-best way to experience the sound,” she said. “But really, we hope people come to the park and celebrate with us.”
