Celebrating 35!

Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre

Experience the collective joy that has fueled Sawagi Taiko since 1990! After 35 years of making a commotion, raising hell, and breaking stereotypes of Asian women, Sawagi is producing our own concert for the first time in our loud and proud history. Join us as we celebrate this incredible milestone with an unforgettable night of rhythm, movement, and spirit. Come for the old standards, like "Nobori" and "Momentum", that you know and love from the annual Powell Street Festival (heading into its 50th year in 2026!). Stay for the world premiere of our new piece, "Current Wave", written by Lisa Mah. Sawagi Taiko is grateful to share this evening with Tzo’kam, bringing together powerful drumming and song in a celebration of resilience, connection, and community. Together, we honour 35 years of history, purpose, and passion that continue to inspire and carry us forward.

Tzo'kam, which means “chickadee” and “visitors are coming” in the Stl'atl'imx language, is led by Coast Salish singer and composer Russell Wallace and sings songs that his mother Flora learned as a child and passed on to her family and community. Tzo’kam continues to teach and sing songs once forbidden by residential schools and kept alive by Flora and her classmates in secret.

Founded in 1990, Sawagi Taiko is the first all-women taiko group in Canada. We are a multi-generational group of women of East Asian ancestry, brought together by our shared passion for Japanese drumming. With thunderous drum beats, stirring vocals, and martial-arts inspired choreography, we share the empowerment and exhilaration we feel through taiko with our diverse audiences. We harness the power of the drum to support feminist and social justice ideals. Learn more about Sawagi at sawagitaiko.com.

This event is produced by Sawagi Taiko with the support of Simon Fraser University, the National Association of Japanese Canadians Endowment Fund, Powell Street Festival Society, and Diane Kadota Arts Management.

This concert will be very loud. If you are sensitive to loud noises, you might want to bring your own ear protection. Some basic ear plugs will be available at the box office until supplies run out.

There will be a 20 minute intermission between sets.

For purposes of documentation this event may be photographed, audio recorded, and/or filmed. By attending this event, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction.

Photo by Andy Chan taken at the 2024 Powell Street Festival.

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