The first-ever Taiko Ensemble for kids will be offered this fall at Coquitlam's Place des Arts.
Starting September, teacher Eien Hunter-Ishikawa will instruct youth aged nine to 13 on taiko, the Japanese word for big drum, of which the performance involves martial art-like movements.
A Japanese native, Hunter-Ishikawa started to play taiko at a young age and earned his bachelor of music education from Central Michigan University and master of music from University of Hawaii at Manoa. While based in Honolulu, he toured the U.S. and Europe as a member of the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, and taught at the Taiko Center of the Pacific.
Meanwhile, this August, the Maillardville facility's newest faculty member will teach contemporary dance workshops for youth aged eight to 17.
The two, one-hour modern dance sessions, led by Philippa Myler, happen on Aug. 4 from 4 to 5 p.m. (for 8- to 12-year-olds) and 5 to 6 p.m. (for 13- to 17-year-olds). Both workshops are at Place des Arts.
And starting in September, Myler will instruct two classes for youth at Evergreen Cultural Centre, now a satellite campus of PdA, on techniques such as falling, bending, stretching, leaping and rolling.
A graduate of SFU's School of Contemporary Arts, with a bachelor's in dance and English, Myler is a well-known choreographer as well as a teacher.
To register for Taiko drumming or contemporary dance classes or workshops, call PdA at 604-664-1646 or visit www.placedesarts.ca.
IRAN FETE
A major Persian festival will be held at Coquitlam Town Centre Park on Sunday, featuring the popular Iranian singer Nooshafarin.
Other performers at the Tirgan Multicultural Summer Festival on July 24 include Amanda Wood, Rushid, Vanessa Dolesal, Iman Sani and the Amehd Dance Group. Hosted by Ilgar, the all-ages festivities run from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $10.
THE WILD SIDE
Port Moody Public Library will show the traditional and wild landscapes of painter Jennifer McAuley on its walls next month.
Her exhibit, titled Landscapes of Surburbia, depicts the Tri-Cities' parks and green spaces and the pressure around them to develop.
The library is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m.
STILL SPACE
Parents can sign up their kids for summer art camps with the city of Port Coquitlam.
Children aged seven to 10 can join Call of the Wild from July 25 to 29 while tweens aged nine to 12 can be part of Fun and Funky Fibre Art from Aug. 8 to 12 and/or Art, Architecture and 3D Adventures from Aug. 22 to 26.
To register, visit experienceit.ca.
PATIO MUSIC
A jazz group will play at Coquitlam's Dogwood Pavilion as part of the facility's Performance on the Patio series.
The Armi Grano Jazz Trio concert on Aug. 3 runs from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Centennial Rose Garden (624 Poirier St.). Tickets are $10 for pavilion members and $12 for visitors. Refreshments will be served during the intermission. To register, call 604-927-6098.
