Who are we?
Kaminari UK Taiko is a Japanese-style drumming group offering performances and workshops, mainly in and around Yorkshire.
We have been playing and performing together since 2009.
We want to impart our love of this physical, fun (and addictive!) art form to the wider community.
We have been playing and performing together since 2009.
We want to impart our love of this physical, fun (and addictive!) art form to the wider community.
Latest news
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Sunday 11th May sees the return of the York Health and Arts Mela.
We'll be opening the event at 10am in Exhibition Square and will be playing our second set at 1pm in Museum Gardens. We're particularly looking forward to our first collaboration with fantastic local tabla player, Rajveer Matharu |
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We're looking forward to delivering workshops and a performance at University of Sheffield's Japan Day on 2/5/25.
Workshops are taking place at 4pm and 5pm with our performance at 19.05. |
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First gig of 2025 is in Lancashire on 7th February at UCLan Japan Day.
We'll be performing and hosting workshops throughout the day Booking is essential |
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We're heading back over the Pennines on Saturday October 19th for Japan Society North West's Japan Day in Manchester.
Catch us at 11.10am and again at 3pm. |
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Many thanks to everyone who turned out to see us on a not-so-Summer-y Easingwold day , and raise over £230 for our 2 charities Shipton Wildflower Woods and Parkinson's UK. It was great to have Funamachi , the Shipton community group (also pictured) there and performing so brilliantly too |
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If you missed out on your Glastonbury tickets this year, don't despair!
Join us instead for an afternoon of drumming in Easingwold Marketplace We'll be playing for Easingwold Summer of Music from 1-3pm in aid of Shipton Wildflower Meadow |
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You can catch us next at the Eid Fusion Festival in Stockton on Sunday 2nd June
We'll be playing at 1.20pm and again at 2.40pm The programme looks great with a really interesting mix of world music and dance performances and , of course, plenty of fabulous food! |
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In April we said Sayonara to Mary and Tony as they set off on their Japanese sabbatical.
They've already signed up with their local Taiko group and are heading off to various taiko festivals. We're not at all jealous and are looking forward to all the new teaching they'll bring back with them |
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We're delighted to be in Harrogate on 9th March, presenting a mixture of traditional and modern taiko pieces.
Michael Graham and LJ English are guesting - LJ is recently back from Japan and his appearance on 'The Karaoke Battle' for Japanese TV. Tickets are only available on the door Hope to see you there |
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KWAIDAN: JAPANESE GHOST STORIES
Thank you to everyone who came to see our latest show at theatre@41 and special thanks to Lise Wilson (who is also our new member) for the wonderful photos, and to Julia Pattison for her fabulous review. We've now just got to start practising again for our next show in Harrogate in March.... |
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Kaminari UK Taiko will be supporting York Health Mela on 24th September.
The venue is York Museum Gardens and we'll be playing sets at 11am and1pm The programme of music and dance looks varied and interesting and there'll be plenty of food stalls at which to to indulge yourselves |
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KWAIDAN: JAPANESE GHOST STORIES
19/11/23 at 7.30pm theatre@41 Monkgate, York Kaminari UK Taiko Drummers will perform specially written and adapted pieces in this unique show. Featuring big-screen narration by Jonathan Goodwin (Don’t Go into the Cellar Theatre Company) and with special guest Michael Graham on koto (Japanese harp) and the atmospheric biwa (Japanese lute). Booking now open: https://tickets.41monkgate.co.uk/events/7f95873d-688f-403a-8df9-12bdcdda5b95/booking |
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We're looking forward to playing at the Beeston Festival on 24th June, part of My Leeds Summer and the Leeds 2023 Year of Culture celebrations.
We'll be on at 4.20pm to round the day off with a bang |
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The Kaminari Taiko Duo are taking taiko drumming to York folk festival again this year.
See them at City Of York "Roland Walls" folk festival on June 3rd at 3:40pm |
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Sunday Dec 11th 3.30-4.30pm
Taiko Open Day Has Been Rearranged ! Shipton Community Centre, Shipton by Beningborough Come and join us! |
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We're delighted to be supporting Ryedale and District Mencap for this fundraiser.
There will be drumming, raffle and refeshments all in the beautiful setting of Botton Village near Danby. Contact [email protected] for further information #ryedaleanddistrictmencap https://www.facebook.com/ryedaleanddistrictmencap |
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Booking is now open for World On Our Doorstep 2022.
Come and see us on Saturday 24th at Seven Arts, Leeds. Tickets available from https://wood.mewlmusic.com |
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Following a trip to Liverpool in July for Japan Day, we're heading back over the Pennines on 28/8/22 for Manchester Doki Doki.
We'll be playing sets throughout the day. Looking forward to seeing the other performers and having some great food. |
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If you're in need of a Taiko fix, Mary and Tony aka Kaminari Taiko Duo will be playing at the Black Swan Folk Festival on Saturday 4th June, followed by Bay Folk Weekend on Saturday 11th June.
Lots of other good music, food and drink on over both weekends |
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THE BOX OFFICE IS OPEN!
'Shiki- The Four Seasons of Japan' Friday April 29th Get your tickets from the Galtres Centre, Easingwold Box Office open Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm. Tel. 01347 822472 |
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SAVE THE DAY!
As you can see , we're excited to shout out that after a long hiatus we're returning with our theatre show! 'Shiki-The Four Seasons of Japan' will be at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold on Friday 29th April |
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FRIDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2022 FROM 09:30-16:00
Japan Day 2022 (Bunkasai) Harrington Building Uclan A full day of Taiko performances and workshops, Japanese language workshops, cosplay and all thing Japanese Booking details: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-8th-japan-day-uclan-event-registration-and-workshop-booking-links-tickets-254492262207 |
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Community drumming is back at Shipton Community Centre! Booking required. To book contact: [email protected] Mary 07979813804 |
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Japanese Performing Arts Festival at York St John University.
We'll be there as part of an afternoon of performances showcasing a range of Japanese performing arts. We are very excited about seeing special guest rakugo (traditional story telling) artist Katsura Utazo from Japan. The afternoon will also feature enka folk singing, koto (Japanese harp), tanka poetry and, of course, taiko. Limited taster sessions are also available earlier in the day and include an opportunity to have a go at some Taiko drumming and taste some Japanese Tea. Tickets for the morning workshops are available by following the link. This is an official event of the Japan Season of Culture. |
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Tickets for World on our Doorstep are now on sale from Seven Arts, Leeds There's a great line-up of musicians over the weekend and we'll be playing at 2.00pm on Saturday |
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SUNDAY, 22 AUGUST 2021 AT 13:00 UTC+01
JAPAN DAY ONLINE 2021 Online event Japan Day JSNW has gone on-line again this year. We are pleased to still be able to take part Look out for our video at 16.30-you can find out more about taiko, some of the songs we play and what inspires us |
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Meet the newest member of our group, Tracey Evans-seen here at a recent performance in the Lake District |
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Thank you for being so welcoming Easingwold, and for raising £274 for Parkinson's UK |
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Catch us in Easingwold for our first outing of the year raising money for Parkinson's UK, our chosen charity
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It was great to be playing some Taiko again
If you missed Mary and Tony supporting Mercury Machine on their live stream to the Kansai Music Conference in Japan, it is still available to stream for the next 28 days |
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As you will understand, we have had to cancel all our upcoming shows. We apologise for this but look forward to seeing you all again when the current situation allows. |
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Our show 'Shiki-The Four Seasons of Japan' has been included in Japan-UK Season of Culture
You can catch our next show at Galtres Centre, Easingwold on 21/3/20 and later in the year at Pocklington Arts Centre on 26/9/20 |
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We are delighted to announce that as part of our 10 year anniversary we have adopted Parkinson's UK as our chosen charity.
You will see their logo and fundraising helpers at various events throughout 2020. |
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Yorkshire Taiko Community are holding their Christmas Bash at Shipton Community Centre on Saturday Dec 7th 2.30-5.00pm.
All welcome but booking essential. |
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Following our "drums and crumbs" workshops, some people expressed interest in more regular classes. So, Starting Sept 13, we are running some fun and friendly taiko sessions at Shipton Community Centre. Please get in touch for more details.
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We've squeezed in an extra date for July. We'll be at Harrogate Carnival, part of Harrogate Welcomes The World.
Look out for us at 2.30 and 4pm at the Global stage. |
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It's confirmed! We'll be back at The Great Yorkshire Fringe on Saturday 20th July at 5pm.
A bigger venue and an even better show. Get it in your diaries. BOOKING NOW OPEN |
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Any *idea* who is playing at the Festival of Ideas? Get June 16th in your diary!
BOOKING NOW OPEN |
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We had a fantastic time at Dr Shakamoto's recording studio in Leeds.
Thanks again to Andy and Will for making it such a fun and productive day. |