Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Yungflutes · 2005-10-23 09:46:07

To those in New York City,

Here is an announcement to my recent show involving the use of the shakuhachi in Performance Art.

Mulberry Street Theater presents the EAR to the GROUND series:
JET STREAM by Perry Yung with In Mixed Company.
Nov 3-5, 8pm
$15 general/$13 students and seniors

Perry Yung and Maura Nguyen Donohue, together with Peggy Cheng, Brian Nishii, Richard Ebihara, and guests Abby Chan and Julian Barnett will present JET STREAM, a new multimedia performance piece looking at contemporary interculturalism through the movement of wind and bodies. Set against images of modern day Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan and the United States, this celebration of the
diaspora uses dance, video, live music and personal narratives to reveal both the chaos and the calm of multiracial and multinational Asian identities. The work illustrates how culture can transcend borders of race, nationality and gender. Perry Yung, an American born Chinese, will craft a Japanese Zen bamboo flute (shakuhachi) each night on stage. Ideas like “turbulence” and “resonance”, common in the building of a flute, will be explored by the dancers and blended with elements of pop culture for a global perspective. This performance is made possible in part by the Manhattan Community Arts Fund/New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

A link to the graphics http://www.htchendance.org/mstcalendar.html

A link to an indepth descripton of the shared evening - http://www.explorechinatown.com/GUI/Con … p;Type=427

Those interested can email with questions. Have a great day.
Namaste,
Perry

indigo · 2005-11-04 13:46:53

some thoughts on shakuhachi in performance at "Jet Stream"

the piece was derived from the names of the performers as a means to ponder the cultural realtionships the performers have as asians to the world and the english euro american centric popular culture

though the material was personal and serious the audience was laughing often and floating along with the boyant mix of language, movement and especially music

the contrast between a shakuhachi playing blowing in the wind and the blast of air that would begin a phrase of honkyouku while the cast is singing B.I.W. is only one of many musical experiences in Jet Stream

Perry Yung, Brian Nishii, and Richard Ebihara played a trio of origonal music for three shakuhachi, for me a beautiful experience.

knowing that a shakuhachi trio is not an easy feat adds to the astonishment

great show, many thanks to all of the cast, crew and presentors of
"Jet Stream"

indigo

Yungflutes · 2005-11-06 10:42:20

Hi indigo,

Thanks so much for your kind words. We just closed the show last night. Much thanks to all the shakuhachi and theater friends who were able to attend and cram into the space. All the shows were sold out thanks to you. Much love. Now it's back to the workshop!

For those who were not able to attend the performances, here are some photos taken live from the show. As you mentioned, it was extremely difficult playing in tune but that's what makes the performances challenging and exciting. A shakuhachi teacher Opening Night said, "That was very Tozan like..." I took it as a compliment.

Last night's flute didn't play so well so it was even more of a challenge keeping up with the Jinashi and the Jiari behind me.

My assistant, Abby Chan, during the Iron Flute show. I try to make each performances once in a life time. I manage that in this show by making the flute I'm playing right in front of the audience just moments before the trio and dance starts. There is no rehearsal time with this flute. Even PVC flutes play differently without refinement (not to mention the PVC burrs in the finger holes and bore!).

Abby is a gorgeous dancer who I first met working with Muna Tseng and Tan Dun in The Pink. Those of you may know Tan as being the composer to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. He still answers the telephone!

My dislocated wandering monk character who is refered to as "Carradine". The show is about names and assumtions. It was a lot of racous humor. Many Asian Americans think it's a bit silly that David Carradine's character on Kung fu has come to represent Chinese holistic culture such as Tai Chi and flute playing. Those who have been to China and China town know that Chinese people do not speak slowly or softly, or carry a flute around with them. Well, unless you run into me!

Parts of this show will be performed in Hong Kong where my wife has an ongoing project with HK based modern dancers/choreographers. If there are any shakuhachi players in H.K. interested and/or available in performing the shakuhachi trio at the Hong Kong Performing arts Center on Dec 9-11, please contact me at perry@yungflutes.com

Namaste, Perry

Last edited by Yungflutes (2005-11-06 13:52:48)

waryr · 2005-11-09 18:55:46

Perry,

Wish I could have been there!!!!! Sounds like a trip time, especially the shakuhachi trio. Oh well, maybe next time?

Have a blast in HK!

Dave

Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

#1 2005-10-23 09:46:07

Shakuhachi in Performance Art

#2 2005-11-04 13:46:53

Re: Shakuhachi in Performance Art

#3 2005-11-06 10:42:20

Re: Shakuhachi in Performance Art

#4 2005-11-09 18:55:46

Re: Shakuhachi in Performance Art

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