Taiko drums have been part of Japanese folk music/dance, theater and religious ceremonies for centuries. The form of playing the drums as an ensemble (“kumidaiko”) with attention to choreography originated in the 1960s drawing from folk music, Kabuki and Noh theater and jazz influences and is now popular around the globe.

Casual Fifth is a Taiko and Modern Dance ensemble focused on creating innovative work rooted in the fundamentals and history of Japanese Taiko drumming and American modern dance. Casual Fifth is directed by Mac Evans and Alex Pfister, who both have backgrounds in different taiko and modern dance groups from NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, Japan, Hawaii, and in between. They are joined by a number of friends, mentors and mentees who flesh out the ensemble with their own experiences; paying homage to the origins of these art forms and striving to create new pieces from the inspiration they bring. The group was formally formed in 2020; next year is their 5th Anniversary.

There will be a question & answer session with the performers after the concert.

Casual Fifth can be found at: https://www.casualfifth.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/casualfifth/