Odaiko Sonora Taiko Drums Behind-the-Scenes - Saturday 01/31/2026

Odaiko Sonora Taiko Drums Behind-the-Scenes - Saturday 01/31/2026

Trip Cost: $15.00 (Please Note: Do not wear perfumes, scented lotions or glitter since the studio is a glitter- and scent-free space.)

Odaiko Sonora is Tucson's taiko, or Japanese ensemble drumming group. Serving southern AZ since May 2002, Odaiko Sonora is dedicated to increasing familiarity with and understanding of taiko in our community. They do this each year through classes and master workshops, performances, school residencies, team building workshops and by producing concerts that include internationally acclaimed taiko artists. Learn more about Odaiko Sonora here. 

Taiko is most beautiful when players are performing in unison, with musicality and proper technique, striving for accuracy and focus. With over 60 appearances — for over 150,000 people each year — these players are committed to taiko as a performing art form. Performances vary from outdoor festivals to private parties to staged theatrical productions. Dedication, rigorous training, creative contribution, flexibility and a great attitude define these players. As with most things, practice makes perfect!

We’ll have a rare opportunity to observe, photograph and video one of Odaiko Sonora’s Community Group practice sessions. Their Community Group is for players who wish to work together as a group to increase skill levels, expand their repertoire, and work towards community performances 3–5 times a year. Check out this YouTube video to get an idea of the treat that’s in store for you. 

We’ll meet at the Photography Club upper-level parking lot at 7:00 AM for carpooling, departure at 7:30 AM. Please do not wear perfumes, scented lotions or glitter since the studio is a glitter- and scent-free space. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge if you have one. For those carpooling, $5.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.

We’ll drive to the RiP Factory located at 1013 South Tyndall Avenue in Tucson for the 8:30 AM practice session. To avoid distracting the performers, flash photography is not allowed. Tripods are fine provided they can be moved to ensure performers can access personal items/water bottles during breaks. The session should end at 10:30 AM, followed by a Q&A session where you’re invited to ask about the instruments and the taiko art form.

Following the practice session, participants are invited to an optional no-host lunch – a teppanyaki (hibachi) dining experience involving a different kind of performance -- at Hana Tokyo, 5435 South Calle Santa Cruz, Suite #185 in Tucson (in the Tucson Spectrum Shopping Mall next to Harkins Theatres). Find more information about Hana Tokyo here.  

Tom Parker will be the trip leader. For questions call Tom at 618 304-1456 or email at tparker324@aol.com. He will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event.

If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Coordinator Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com.  On the day of the trip, please call Tom and Lynn as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.

Last refund date is January 24, 2026.

GVR requires that every person participating in club's field trips must sign a waiver absolving GVR of any liability.  You will be required to sign the waiver at the Photography club before the trip departs. 

NOTICE:

All participants need to be responsible for an assessment of their mobility and health issues relating to field trips. Some trips may not be appropriate, but you must make that determination. However, the trip leader may deny participation in a specific field trip to anyone deemed not suitably prepared or able to walk with the group.

The club strives to provide several field trips specifically designed for members with physical limitations. 

In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.