Farnworth Park boomed Thursday afternoon with a rare U.S. performance by the Akafuji Daiko drumming troupe from Otsuki City, Japan. The group was in the U.S. to play at a Colorado Rockies baseball game in Denver (!) but stopped over here before returning to Japan.
According to Angela Gallegos of the Los Angeles County Parks, the concert was a gift by Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Lyzenga of Altadena, who rented the amphitheater for the performance -- and whose son Andrew teaches high school English at Otsuki City and is one of the drummers. Around 200 people attended.
Drummer Andrew Lyzenga of Altadena translates for the troupe.
Lavish costumes marked the opening ceremony ...
... which led to the entrance of the drummers, here playing flutes.
The power and discipline of taiko drumming.
The youngest drummer was five ...
... but she could hold her own!
They even let the crowd play along ...
... some with considerable enthusiasm!
Here's one of their performances, titled "Festival."
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