Message forwarded from Simon:

Weekend report

Thanks so much to all those who helped with Drum Making Sunday. We
- stretched a second skin onto a drum - first stage
- repaired the off-round shape, and splits and cracks in the short drum
- Prepared Aluminium rings and stretched Roo skins over them.
as well as
Make sticks, Improve stands, cut wedges, and generally prepared for the
construction of a lot more roped okedo-daiko which we will use in the
Christmas pageant.

With out the superb assistance and intuition of our enthusiastic helpers we
couldnt have achieved so much.

However, there were a couple of things we weren't able to do, so we have
dropped behind schedule with our double skin drum, and need to make a last
ditch effort to get it done by Saturday. If you would like to help one
weeknight this week, please talk to Keryn.

On Saturday Jen, James and Simon went to Sunny Bicheno to deliver Taiko
workshops to the Japanese language Teachers from around the state. There
were a few familiar faces there, and some who had never seen a taiko drum
before.
We conducted very brief intros to taiko and all seemed to have a great time
beating away outside in the sunshine.
We also took the opportunity to take a few photos in the scenic
surroundings, which might make it on to the website some time soon.
A great big Thankyou to James and Jen for rising so early on a Saturday to
help Simon make the day a great success.

We have a new practice venue - the Hobart Football Club rooms at the TCA ground on the Domain. There will be a new pricing structure: Students - $3.00 for 1 class or $20 for 8 classes payable in advance (2 per week for 4 weeks.
Workers - $5.00 for 1 class or $35 for 8 classes payable in advance (2 per week for 4 weeks.

We are working towards having a venue for our own exclusive use, which will enable more flexible classes in the future. We need the continuing support of as many members as possible so that we are able to fund this idea.

So please come and support Taiko in Tasmania!

FANTASTIC NEWS!! Today, Sunday the 21st September, our group (through the languages department of the University of Tasmania) has been given four brand new Shimedaikos to use, straight from Japan, and custom made by experts especially for our group. Professor Miyamoto from Mie University was instrumental in raising the money for the Shimedaiko. This morning, the new taiko were given to the group in a special ceremony at Stanley Burbury Theatre. The contingent of fifteen Japanese people who travelled to Australia for the ceremony were treated to some wonderful Japanese dancing as well as a performance by the Taiko group.

Come to practice soon and check out these beautiful new drums.