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Let's Hear It
Conversations with creators and organizers of the arts scene in West Michigan, hosted by Cara Lieurance

First annual Obon Festival to showcase Taiko drumming and other Japanese traditions

WMUK | By Cara Lieurance
Published October 26, 2022 at 5:57 PM EDT
Ken Koshio with arms wide, facing a sunset
courtesy photo
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Ken Koshio
Taiko master Ken Koshio is the guest artist for the Obon Festival
Ken and Carolyn hold the poster for the Obon Festival
C. Lieurance
Ken Koshio and Carolyn Koebel

Kalamazoo College will host an Obon Festival from 2 - 5 pm on Saturday, Oct 29 in the "quad" area. It's free and open to all ages. Carolyn Koebel of Michigan Hiryu Daiko Taiko Drummers and visiting Taiko master Ken Koshio explain to Cara Lieurance what the Japanese festival means and how drumming, spirituality, and honoring ancestors come together in the celebration. Koebel lists the performers coming to the festival from Michigan and Indiana, and Koshio explains that Taiko takes 3 minutes to learn, but a lifetime to master.

Details on the festival and further workshops are at the Connecting Chords Music Festival website.
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WMUK Culture Carolyn Koebel
Cara Lieurance
Cara Lieurance is the local host of NPR's All Things Considered on 1021 WMUK and covers local arts & culture on Let's Hear It on 89.9 Classical WMUK weekday mornings at 10 - 11 am.
See stories by Cara Lieurance
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