“Visceral, non-linear and intuitively primitive, expressing an unusually strong spirit while avoiding any categorization,” is what can be said about percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani. He will perform in Shreveport on Thursday, Nov. 20, at Calanthean Canyon, says Pam Atchison.
“He creates sound via both traditional and extended percussion techniques, utilizing drums, bowed gongs, cymbals, singing bowls, metal objects, and bells, as well as various sticks, kitchen tools, and homemade bows,” says his bio.
Calanthean Canyon, 1001 Texas Avenue, is adjacent to the 4-story Calanthean Temple. It is a hidden but magical village where the structures make musical sounds. Constructed under the aegis of New Orleans’ Airlift, a large number of Shreveport’s underground artists participated in the sawing, hammering, and welding. The project was a part of Shreveport Regional Arts Council’s UnScene series.
Because it has a limited seating area, it is an outdoor experience; and because of the designers’ emphasis on raw sound experience, the site has hosted performances sporadically. It is a rusty jewel of Texas Ave. This show is highly recommended.