Learn to Play an Instrument
Lark in the Morning started in 1974 with the conviction that sharing music builds bridges between friends, families, cultures, and nations. “Music reminds us we're all part of one family and provides an environment where love can develop and flourish.” Lark works with suppliers in 70 countries, constantly searching the world for hard to find folk and ethnic instruments. Kristina Almquist manages their store in Mendocino California, which is jammed with instruments, international tapes and CDs, as well as tutorial videos. Learn more
The San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival presents its series in June, with hundreds of dancers and musicians from Egypt, India, Turkey, Japan, Bali, China, Tahiti, the Philippines, Mexico, Peru, Argentina and many other countries. Learn more
Since ancient times in Japan, taiko (drum) has been regarded as sacred; the powerful beating, which imitates the sound of thunder, was thought to summon rain and ensure bountiful harvest. Stage performance of kumi daiko, or “ group taiko," began as a 1960’s Asian American Movement. Kyodo Taiko, at the University of California in Los Angeles is the first collegiate taiko group in North America. (Kyodo means both “family, “ and “loud children.”). Their first major performance paid tribute to the 175 UCLA students who were interned during World War II. Women and men college students now perform together frequently: a family sharing the joy and the spirit of taiko. Learn more