Mahaney Arts Center 30th Anniversary: Burlington Taiko

people play large Japanese Taiko drums outdoors
photo by Melissa Richmond

To kick off the MAC’s 30th anniversary, we’ll present Burlington Taiko in a residency designed to invigorate body and spirit, bridge international cultures, and rebuild the sense of community that was diminished during the pandemic.

A weeklong residency starting Monday, September 26 will include workshops for Middlebury College students and faculty/staff, area schoolchildren, and community members. The residency will culminate in a series of free, outdoor performances on the afternoons of Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 on the back lawn of the Mahaney Arts Center. Friday’s event will kick off with a parade! All events are free and open to the public.

Since 1987, Burlington Taiko has been mesmerizing audiences with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of the Taiko drums. Burlington Taiko Group estimates it has introduced over half a million people to the power of Taiko via performances from the Boston Marathon to Burlington’s First Night to the Black Ships Festival in Newport, RI, and more.

This large-scale, highly accessible performance event aligns with Middlebury College’s global mission; introduces our local, rural audiences to a fascinating international culture; creates natural ties to live performance disciplines already represented in the MAC; offers experiential learning opportunities for students; and jump-starts the MAC’s 30th anniversary year.

a black and white logo reading nefa, New England Foundation for the Arts

This residency is funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies. Generous support is also provided by the Middlebury Performing Arts Council.

If You Go

Events are free and will take place rain or shine.

Open to on-campus audiences and the public. Vaccinations and boosters (or valid medical or religious exemptions) required. Masks optional (but welcome!) except under certain conditions. Additional health and safety information here>>

Public Events Schedule:

  • Taiko drummer standing at large, elevated drum

    Lunch and Learn with Burlington Taiko

    Please join us for a participatory workshop with Stuart Paton of Burlington Taiko Group! To kick off the Mahaney Arts Center’s 30th anniversary, Burlington Taiko will on campus for a weeklong residency. This Lunch and Learn is a chance for you to learn about the Japanese art form of Taiko, and even play the drums yourself! This event is open to Middlebury College faculty and staff.

    Mahaney Arts Center Plaza

    Free

  • Taiko drummer standing at large, elevated drum

    Movement Matters: Burlington Taiko

    Join Burlington Taiko Founder and Artistic Director Stuart Paton for an exciting workshop designed to invigorate body and spirit, bridge international cultures, and rebuild the sense of community that was diminished during the pandemic. Since 1987, Burlington Taiko has been mesmerizing audiences with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of the Taiko drums. Burlington Taiko Group estimates it has introduced over half a million people to the power of Taiko via performances from the Boston Marathon toBurlington’s First Night to the Black Ships Festival in Newport, RI, and more.

    Mahaney Arts Center Plaza

    Open to the Public

    Free

  • Musicians playing drums outdoors

    Mahaney Arts Center 30th Anniversary Celebration: Burlington Taiko Parade

    Join Burlington Taiko as they mesmerize audiences with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of the Taiko drums. To kick off the Mahaney Arts Center’s 30th anniversary, Burlington Taiko leads a parade of Taiko music and a Japanese Lion Dance, starting at the center of campus and leading the crowd to the MAC’s back lawn for free, outdoor performances at 4:30 and 5:30 PM. All ages. Rain or shine. This is FREE and open to the public.

    Old Chapel Quad

    Open to the Public

  • picture of Taiko drummers performing outside

    Mahaney Arts Center 30th Anniversary Celebration: Burlington Taiko

    To kick off the Mahaney Arts Center’s 30th anniversary, Burlington Taiko performs two half-hour sets on the MAC’s back lawn. Come for the 4:30 or 5:30 PM shows, or stay for both! Come early for a parade from the center of campus starting at 3:45 PM. All ages. Rain or shine. Sign language interpretation will be provided.

    Mahaney Arts Center Plaza

    Open to the Public

    Free

  • picture of Taiko drummers performing outside

    Mahaney Arts Center 30th Anniversary Celebration: Burlington Taiko

    To kick off the Mahaney Arts Center’s 30th anniversary, Burlington Taiko performs two half-hour sets on the MAC’s back lawn. Come for the 2:00 or 3:00 PM shows, or stay for both! All ages. Rain or shine. Sign language interpretation will be provided.

    Mahaney Arts Center Plaza

    Open to the Public

    Free

Play Video Play

Burlington Taiko

Watch Burlington Taiko in “Tsunami” as part of the First Night celebration.