The UO Cultural Forum is lining up a variety of music, film and contemporary performances for students to enjoy during winter term. The programs are intended to reflect a wide range of entertainment and artistic forms.
“It is important for all students and members of the campus community to feel welcome on campus, and for the Cultural Forum to provide opportunities to share rich cultural heritage and unique cultural perspectives for everyone to enjoy,” said Kevin Stacy, performing arts coordinator.
Today, the Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble (SYTE) will hold a taiko drumming workshop at 7 p.m. in the EMU Gumwood Room. At the free event, ensemble members will interact directly with workshop participants, while sharing the history of Japanese taiko and demonstrating multiple drumming styles and rhythms.
“This workshop activity will provide an avenue for the community at large to learn more about this rich culture,” Stacy said.
Thursday, SYTE will perform at 8 p.m. in the EMU Ballroom. Tickets are $6.50 for University students and $12 general.
Taiko drumming has constituted an important part of Japanese culture for more than 2,000 years and has fulfilled several artistic and functional purposes in Japanese society. Currently, traditional taiko is performed at concerts, festivals, religious rites and harvest celebrations.
“(Taiko) is an art and a fusion of movement rhythm, philosophy and form whose history has been an important part of the everyday lives of the Japanese people,” according to SYTE’s Web site. “The idea of becoming one with the drum is a fundamental part of taiko.”
Since the formation of the first North American taiko group in 1968, the popularity of taiko drumming has prompted the development of numerous taiko groups across the United States and its influence continues to grow.
For movie buffs, film students, a cheap date or people seeking refuge from the rain, the ongoing Friday Flicks Film series continues until the end of the term. The free
screenings are shown at 8 p.m. in 180 PLC. Organizers are also in the process of planning for the 14th Annual Queer Film Festival, which will take place Feb. 16 through 19 on campus.
Cultural Forum organizers anticipate high attendance for the popular Harlem Globetrotters this year, who make their way to campus on Feb. 26.
“Last year, the Harlem Globetrotters were enthusiastically greeted in Mac Court by a large crowd,” Stacy said. “This is a great opportunity for students and their families to watch the talented players combine their unique blend of athleticism and artistry into an action packed and exciting basketball game.”
The rock band Oneida is slated to perform at the WOW Hall on March 15. The band performed last year in Eugene.
“It was just a fantastic show,” Music Coordinator Mike Zarkesh said of last year’s show. “They are doing completely different things with sound.”
WOW Hall will host The Books on April 19. The Books, who have released three albums, are known for experimenting with aleatoric, electronic and acoustic music, and for creating songs that sample a variety of sound, speech and music.
“They are an anomaly in the music industry,” Zarkesh said of the band.
The Cultural Forum is a program of the Erb Memorial Union and is funded entirely with student fees and ticket revenues.