MATSURIZA JAPANESE TRADITIONAL TAIKO DRUMMERS

Matsuriza means “festival” in Japanese. “Taiko” means drum. The principles of Matsuriza are “Shin” (to develop pure spirit), “Gi” (improve skills), “Tai” (keep healthy body) and “Rei” (observe proper decorum). As in many Oriental philosophies, “mind and body” are important for a man’s whole well-being. Matsuriza Japanese Taiko Drummers build focus; develop a habit of caring for each other in teamwork; shape up by building physical strength; and communicate without words but through sounds and minds.

Music began with man banging an object like a drum. The discovery of different rhythms through the drum beat started the history of music. The history of Taiko goes back many centuries. It began in religious ceremonies in shrines and changed throughout the years. Drums were used in festivals to pray for rain and by soldiers in battlefields. Since the ancient times, people expressed the sounds of nature, such as wind, water, fire and so on with taiko.

Matsuriza (a leading taiko group in Japan) migrated from Sukeroku-daiko and is influenced by leader Yoshihisa Ishikura of Kanto-abare-daiko. Playing traditional music, as well as self-composed arrangements, they performed in Walt Disney World and various countries for cultural events.

In 1983, Takemasa Ishikura started to perform as a member of Kanto-abare-daiko led by Yoshihisa Ishikura at the EPCOT Center Japan pavilion of Walt Disney World. In 1998, leader Yoshihisa returned to Japan to resume his team there. Takemasa Ishikura took the over the leadership and formed Matsuriza Japanese Traditional Taiko Drummers. Matsuriza continues to perform at EPCOT Japan pavilion every week.

Yuko Ishikura, one of drummers, also plays the shakuhachi, which is a Japanese end-blown flute that is traditionally made of bamboo, as an intro to some of their musical arrangements. It is an interesting musical contrast before the percussive drums.

Mobile International Festival is fortunate to have Takemasa Ishikura and Matsuriza Japanese Traditional Taiko Drummers perform since 1997. MIF is proud to be the only venue where they perform in Lower Alabama. They have a following of fans who attend the festival just to see them perform. Matsuriza drummers have fascinated children and adults alike with their precision, discipline, expertise, professionalism and showmanship when they perform. After their performance, they share with the public the historical background of taiko, Matsuriza and shakuhachi..

Experience Japan and its culture. Come and see Matsuriza Japanese Traditional Taiko Drumming at Mobile International Festival.

On the web:
http://www.matsuriza.com

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TUNA de DERECHO

“Tuna” is the term given to a group of singers who sing romantic Spanish songs and melodies with the accompaniment of mandolin and guitars. The singers enjoy singing and keeping this old tradition of serenading the ladies in the evening. They evoke the bohemian lifestyle of serenading when they travel to different places. Their actions depict the traditional way of serenading the maiden from the balcony. As a gesture of appreciation, the maiden pulls the ribbon from her hair and pins this to the cape of the singer. Today, ribbons and other objects like pins and other remembrances are pinned on their capes from families, friends, fellow students, admirers and fans.

Can you imagine a group of lawyers and law students from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, dressed like they are from the medieval times and serenading the crowd at Mobile International Festival? Tuna singers and musicians are dressed in black with a matching cape which is typical of the period dating back during the Spanish conquest. Wearing a cape signifies the longevity of the singer’s membership to the group. Also, the leaders wear the green sashes. To this day, the group continues this tradition of serenading as they visit other cities in Mexico and other countries.

Mobile International Festival is proud to have Tuna de Derecho again for three days. Catch them on stage or in the cultural exhibits booth of Mexico or as they stroll down the corridors.

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Above image photo credit: J Black

JOHN JARAMILLO

During the Student Days, John Jaramillo brings the ancient Aztec civilization history of Mexico to Mobile International Festival. Learn about it through his performances. John Jaramillo is a performing artist since 1983. He has performed regionally, nationally and internationally and taught at theatres, festivals and throughout the United States like the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in New York and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque to name a few. In 1996, John produced “Old Man Kokopeli”, a work inspired by his Pueblo Indian American heritage. It is a masked theatre and puppetry production and was featured as part of the famed NYC International Fringe Festival in 1997. He also created and tours ”Aztec Dance Mexico”, “Flamenco Dance of Spain”, and the “Pueblo World – Old Man Kokopeli and Stories from Southwest” to universities, schools, libraries, senior centers, festivals, art centers and cultural centers.

On Saturday’s Family Day, John shows his versatility through the passionate dance of Spain’s Flamenco. The audience will be treated to the gypsy rhythms and precision of authentic Flamenco. See John as he is poised to dance the fiery Flamenco dance steps across the floor, tapping his feet and clapping his hands for the “contra” to the mesmerizing sound of the guitar! He has performed professionally as a principal dancer with Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco/Segundo Compania, Ritmo Flamenco, Dance Espana and Danzantes.

John’s education and training include drama, visual art, architecture, ballet, modern, jazz and flamenco from the University of New Mexico, Institute of American Indian Arts, College of Santa Fe and Amor de Dios School of Dance in Madrid, Spain. He was an artist-in-residence in many cities around the United States and continues to teach at various schools in the South. He has a Study Guide for Teachers which can be accessed at http://johnjaramillo.com/AztecStudyguide.html.

John is a well-rounded performing artist and Mobile International Festival is proud to have him perform Mexico’s Aztec and Spainish Flamenco dances for everyone!

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Photo credit: Irwin Funes, Funes Photography

ROMAN STREET

Roman Street is a energetic band born and raised out of Mobile, AL dabbling in the arts of “new” flamenco, smooth and not-so-smooth jazz, and its own brand of fusion style music with a youthful and spontaneous approach to musical expression.

The guitarists of Roman Street are internationally trained–seeking to incorporate their travels and experiences into their musical expression. The band as a whole seeks to create a unique sound by blending old styles and techniques with a modern twist, and conversely, giving modern music styles a historical elegance.

The result is a style that appeals to the young and old alike; a juxtaposition of the new and the traditional that has something for every music lover. Roman Street strives to be a breath of fresh air to those beleaguered by the rampant cover-bands that provide already over-played music. Hopefully at any rate, through a varied repertoire and unique composition, they endeavor provide some enjoyment for everyone who hears them.

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ARIK CHRISTOPHER AS CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW

Born on a pirate ship in the middle of a raging typhoon on the Indian Ocean, Captain Jack Sparrow was born into piracy, unlike so many before him who were free to choose the lifestyle. As a youngster, he was taught to fence by a skilled Italian swordsman, and sailed aboard a ship known as “The Barnacle” for most of his young life. Some would be surprised to learn that as a young adult, Jack Sparrow tried to leave the pirate life and was actually an employee of The East India Trading Company. He captained a ship then known as the “Wicked Wench”, and was hired to transport spices and merchandise for Lord Cutler Becket. One day, Lord Becket commanded Jack to instead transport slaves with his ship. This didn’t sit well with Jack, and he refused to be involved in the slave trade. This angered Becket, and for his refusal, Jack was branded a pirate once more. Cutler Becket immediately sent out a command that Jack’s ship, the “Wicked Wench”, was to be burned and sunk to the depths of the ocean. Jack was devastated by the loss of his ship. Labeled an outlaw, Jack Sparrow was promptly fired by the East India Trading Company. It was then that the he decided there had to be some way to recover his precious ship, now charred and wrecked beneath the ocean depths. Jack went in search of Davey Jones, hoping to strike a bargain with him. In exchange for servitude on the “Flying Dutchman” upon his death, Jack could have the “Wicked Wench” raised from her watery tomb and restored to him.

When his ship was raised, she was no longer the colorful and flamboyant galleon she had once been. The fires that sunk her had turned her sails black as pitch, and the coral pink paint of her body had peeled away to the dark hull beneath. Jack Sparrow took one look at her, and winced. She would need a new name befitting her current state and rebirth. It was then that Jack Sparrow re-christened her as “The Black Pearl” and took his ship back as captain.

Come meet Captain Jack and hear his tales of life upon the ocean before he sails away once again on one of his many adventures!

Captain Jack Sparrow is portrayed by professional Johnny Depp look-alike and actor, Arik Christopher, who is always available to bring the good Captain to life for private and corporate events, parties, faires, festivals, film and television. Arik Christopher has been name the Official Captain Jack Sparrow of the USS KIDD Veteran’s Memorial and the Museum of Mobile, and was honored by Mayor Kip Holden of Baton Rouge by being named an Honorary Mayor President of the City for his amazing work as Captain Jack for the city. As the Captain, he is dead on accurate both in look and mannerism, and is one of the most actively workingpuck Jack Sparrow actors in the business. He travels nationally, but is internationally-known and recognized for his work with TBS, Coca-Cola, RTV Russian Television and PBS France.

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MCGUIRE IRISH BAND

McGuire's Pipes and Drums was formed in 1988 under the sponsorship of McGuire's Irish Pub and Restaurant. The band was begun and led by Mr. Jack Dasinger until his tragic death in July of 2003. Currently under the leadership of Pipe Major Wayne Willis and Drum Major Michael Zipay, this group of dedicated pipers and drummers are renowned throughout the southeast for their crisp military appearance, their precision marching and their wide repertoire of music, ranging from traditional Scottish/Irish tunes to classic show tunes and everything in between.

The band has performed at every major Highland game and Celtic festival in the southeast and has won top band honors in their category at games in Alabama, Stone Mountain, Orlando, and Sarasota. In addition they have played for the Vice President of the United States, the Secretary of the Navy, and appeared with Charlton Heston, Danny Glover, Gerald Rainey, plus others, at the St. Anne's Roundup. They have been featured in nationwide broadcasts on ESPN, The Discovery Channel, The Travel Channel, and CBS.

On the web:
http://www.mcguirespipeband.com

ACCORDIONIST JULIE COUNCIL

One hears the accordion and you are easily transported to Europe. You can be in a platz in Switzerland or Germany or a piazza in Italy or a plaza in Spain. Or, you can be dancing the polka in Poland or Slovakia. Or be serenaded in a café in France. The accordion has a long history associated with international music!

Julie Council has performed for the festival in the past. She also performs in many venues in New Orleans, Slidell and Houma (Louisiana) and Mobile, Daphne and Elberta (Alabama). She was at the Italian Village during the New Orleans World’s Fair. She has toured Northern France as an accompanist for Komenka Ethnic Dance Ensemble. She has performed in the pit orchestras for “Fiddler on the Roof” and the “Carnival” productions and in various Oktoberfests. Julie is happy to accompany her grandsons in their musical endeavors, too. At this year's Festival, her grandson, Christopher Conger, joins her.

Two years ago, Julie was part of the Jubilee German Band that played oom-pa-pa music at the festival. This year, Julie is playing solo with her accordion. Follow the sound of the accordion, and you know that you are in Europe. Julie will be strolling with her accordion playing European music in different countries in the European corridor and rooms of Mobile International Festival.

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BREATH OF BALLROOM DANCERS

Breath of Ballroom dance group is a program of Teen Ballroom Dance, a 501c(3) public charity founded in January, 2010, in Mobile, Alabama. The TBD mission is to help young people develop skills needed to be healthy emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Through ballroom dance, students learn and practice socialization, communication, performance, and problem-solving skills while developing creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit.TBD equips young people by way of social and performance venues, as well as, community outreach opportunities.

The Breath of Ballroom dance group is a troupe for teenagers thirteen through nineteen years old. They perform eleven dances: bachata, bolero, cha-cha, foxtrot, merengue, rumba, salsa, samba, swing, tango, and waltz.

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“Citra Indonesia” meaning Indonesian Dance House, is the Indonesian traditional dance group of The Indonesian Consulate General in Houston, Texas. Its aim is to explore and to promote the beautiful traditional dances from all over Indonesia's archipelago.

The group consists of male, female and children, from the Indonesian community or local citizens-at-large. It specializes in traditional dances from all over Indonesia’s provinces and islands such as Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan (known as Borneo) and Sulawesi (known as Celebes).

Besides traditional dances, we have volunteers who would be happy to teach you how to play the Indonesian traditional music instrument such as “gamelan” (Central Java), “angklung” (West Java), “kolintang” and “arumba” (Sulawesi).

We welcome everyone, who is interested to learn the Indonesian traditional dances and instruments to join the Citra Indonesia.

The Citra Indonesia is scheduled to perform for the second time at the Mobile International Festival, Mobile, Alabama on November 17-19, 2011. Their dance performances will include the Wira Pertiwi dance, Yapong dance, Cendrawasih dance, Merak dance and the Incling Incling Jangget dance.

Tari Wira Pertiwi (Wira Pertiwi dance) represents a woman warrior armed with a bow and arrow. “Wira” means warrior and “Pertiwi” means homeland. This dance originally comes from Central Java.

Tari Yapong is a contemporary dance from Jakarta, Indonesia, that was created by Bagong Kussudiardjo, a famous choreographer from Yogyakarta, Java, in 1970. “Yapong” is based on “Betawi” traditional style for female dancers. The music is very lively. It is a combination of new Javanese melodic gamelan-style music with a modern beat.

Another dance is Tari Cendrawasih from Bali. Cendrawasih is a famous name of a bird, well-known as a paradise bird. I it is usually performed in groups. They are playing and chatting to each other by showing off their beauty and colorful feathers.

Tari Merak (Merak dance) which is from Central Java means peacock. The dance was inspired by the beautiful movements of a peacock. The gestures of a peacock are beautifully blended together with the classical movements of the Javanese dance and thus making the dance a colorful expression of the proud peacock which is showing its beautiful feathers.

The last dance is Tari Incling Incling Jangget, a new creation dance from Surabaya, East Java, which is based from Javanese culture describing about the happy youth life. This dance is usually performed for welcoming the guests.

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DAVIDSON HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND

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CRANFORD BURNS MIDDLE SCHOOL STEP TEAM

DUNBAR MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ AND DANCE

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MEMBER ENTERTAINMENT

The Mobile International Festival boasts some exceptionally talented people. Check back soon to see who is lined up for entertainment at the 2011 festival.