New York, NY, USA, November 28, 2005 (XTVWorld.Com) -- Producer Toshi Hirano of TKO Entertainment is pleased to present the New York premiere of Otodama, a thrilling percussion and dance show, created and directed by STOMP five-year veteran Yako Miyamoto. Otodama will be performed from December 2-11, 2005 at the CSV Cultural Center (Flamboyan Theater), located at 107 Suffolk Street in NYC.

“Dynamic! The performers tap with the same ferocity they bring to their virtuosic drumming. This unlikely juxtaposition of music and dance styles works like a charm.� - The Chicago Sun-Times

Otodama (translated as ‘Sound and Spirits’) presents a unique fusion of traditional Japanese Taiko drumming and American funk tap dance, using Japanese Taiko drums, African djembe drums, hand-held wooden clappers, thick wooden drumsticks and a samisen (Japanese banjo). The young, hip Japanese ensemble goes by the name COBU (translated as ‘Dance like Drumming, Drum like Dancing’) and is made up of seven women and two men, sporting dramatically dyed hair and a hard-edged attitude.

The cast is lead by the show’s creator, Yako Miyamoto, who began her Taiko drum studies in Tokyo at the age of eight. She currently stars in the hit Off-Broadway show, STOMP, as well as being a lead performer in the Peggy Spina Tap Company. Ms. Miyamoto is a choreographer for the international show Fire Dance.

Otodama is a visual and musical thrill for audiences of all ages. No knowledge of Japanese or English is necessary to enjoy the show!

CSV Cultural Center is a non-profit, multi-cultural, multi-arts center dedicated to providing opportunities for emerging and established artists in all disciplines. The center houses eight theaters, studio space for 70 visual artists and the offices of Bliseum, The Museum for the Blind. CSV was founded by novelist Ed Vega and actors Mateo Gomez and Nelson Landrieu.

Editors Note:
Limited Engagement: Dec. 2 - Dec. 11
Press Invitation: Sat 12/3 at 3pm & 8pm, Sun 12/4 at 3pm & 7pm, Mon 12/5 at 8pm
Playbill article on the show: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/96299.html

Performance Info:
CSV Cultural Center – Flamboyan Theater
107 Suffolk Street (between Rivington & Delancey Streets) in NYC
December 2-11, 2005 (Mon-Fri at 8pm, Sat at 3pm & 8pm, Sun at 3pm & 7pm)
Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Call (212) 352-3101 or visit http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/116704
For more info on the show visit http://www.tkonyc.com/pages_English/Eng_news.html
Running time: 1 hour & 30 minutes
Trains: F, J, M & Z to Delancey/Essex St.

Contact:
David Gibbs
DARR Publicity
Phone: 212-502-0845