'TAO' brings martial art of drumming to River Campus

On Saturday, Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus will host a one-of-a-kind show as "TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming" comes to the Bedell Performance Hall.

The performance is based upon the principles of Taiko drumming. With highly coordinated choreography, high energy and precision, the stars of "TAO" will give Cape Girardeau a taste of Japan.

The performance is part of the show's first North American tour, though it has already entertained more than 2.5 million people throughout the world. This tour includes 46 dates over four months. Performance schedules like this require training and discipline, which is why all of the "TAO" performers must undergo years of intense training before they are even able to become a part of the performance.

"TAO" was started 16 years ago, with a plan to create combine musical pieces with coordination and fitness. In 2000, as "TAO" prepared to enter the international circuit, the performers established "Tao's Home Ground," a training facility where the musician-athletes train and perform in an outdoor theater.

"TAO" is a mix of percussive expertise, physical showmanship and theatrical choreography. The ensemble drumming, or kumidaiko, is the key element of the show, and requires concentration and many hours of rehearsal.

Tickets for "TAO" are going fast.

"As of Thursday, we had nearly 730 tickets sold," said River Campus box office manager Ellen Farrow. She encourages everyone to come see the show. "It would be a shame for anyone to miss this performance."

Tickets can be purchased at the River Campus box office or by calling 651-2265. Tickets are $39 or $33 depending on seating, and Southeast students receive a 50 percent discount on tickets when they present a valid student ID.