FINDING HER BEAT
World Premiere
CREATE | MIND THE GAP | DOCS
US 2022, 88 min, Directors: Dawn Mikkelson, Keri Pickett
Right before pandemic lockdown 2020, eighteen leading Japanese and North American women taiko drummers realize their shared dream with the groundbreaking performance, HERbeat: Taiko Women All-Stars. In this full-bodied, male-dominated artform, they weave together their own joyful rhythms and styles to thunder through the taiko world and beyond. HERbeat is the brainchild of international taiko champion Tiffany Tamaribuchi, of Sacramento Taiko Dan, and Jennifer Weir, of St. Paul’s TaikoArts Midwest. With a cinema-verité style, Finding Her Beat captures the group’s pressure-cooker rehearsals as performers bridge cultural and creative differences while also fighting exhaustion and flu. Highlights include Chieko Kojima’s dance-drumming style designed for women, Kaoly Asano’s taiko as a healing force, and the presence of San Jose Taiko’s local hero PJ Hirabayashi. Relentless rhythm carries them all through the thrilling Leap Day show and heralds a new era for women in taiko. —Carol Harada
In English and Japanese with English subtitles
GUESTS EXPECTED: directors Dawn Mikkelson and Keri Pickett, producer Jennifer Weir, performers Megan Chao Smith, Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Josie Smith-Weir, re-recording Mixer Carly Zuckweiler
TAIKO ON SCREEN AND ON THE PLAZA!
Join us after the screening on Sunday afternoon for a special taiko performance of featured artists from the film and San Jose Taiko. Experience the power and joy of taiko drumming that will keep you energized all day!
SUNDAY, OCT. 9 | 2:00-2:30
Mill Valley Depot Plaza
SPONSORED BY