Sansei: the Storyteller

TDAC’s Performing Arts Trail Series presents Sansei: The Storyteller and Yamabiko Taiko Drummers (Double Bill) on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 7:30 pm at The Bailey Theatre.

It may seem as though a light-hearted look at the Japanese Internment isn’t possible until you hear Kunji Ikeda say, “If the Japanese Internment of WWII didn’t happen, I wouldn’t be alive.” Sansei: The Storyteller uses dance, theatre, and humour to tell the story of one of Canada’s darkest decisions. Kunji Ikeda investigates the social climates and hardships that affected the Ikeda family after they were labeled enemy aliens after the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor triggered the internment and dispossession of tens of thousands of Japanese-Canadians.

Ikeda conveys his grandparents’ emigration from Japan to British Columbia, where his grandfather became a successful fisherman in Steveston, B.C. Then, in vivid contrast, his stories follow his family’s incarceration as his grandmother, father and uncle were held at Rosebery, an internment camp outside New Denver, while his grandfather was sent to live and work in a road camp to build the Hope-Princeton Highway.

With compassion and unexpected humour, Kunji Mark Ikeda shares his discovery of where he came from, how his family navigated their histories, and how the rampant racism of past generations has affected the Japanese community today.

The silver lining? If not for the internment, Ikeda wouldn’t be here to tell this story today…

In a tale that is both illuminating and profoundly personal, Sansei: The Storyteller weaves together dance, narrative, historical audio, and recorded family recollections in a moving work that CBC hailed as both “timely” and “uniquely beautiful.” Created and performed by Kunji Ikeda. Watch the trailer at https://youtu.be/tJBU7pDNEKs

Creator/performer Ikeda “dances and says more with the movement of his fingers than many actors do with reams of dialogue” -Calgary Herald

“A tale of profound historical impact. Sansei is storytelling at it’s finest; sophisticated, meaningful, moving, and humorous.” – Laurie Fife, Ottawa Storytellers Society

“He’s a terrific stage presence… a natural-born storyteller. The agony and ambiguity of the Japanese Internment comes out as much in his dance as it does in his words.” – Stephen Hunt, Calgary Herald

Awards:
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama (Nominated) – Betty Mitchell Award 2019,
Outstanding Choreography (Nominated) – Betty Mitchell Award 2019,
Best of Fest (Winner) – Calgary International Fringe Festival 2014.

The Yamabiko Taiko Drummers will close out the evening with their high energy performance! Founded in 2003 in Kelowna, BC, Yamabiko (meaning ‘Mountain Echo’ in Japanese) Taiko began with very humble and simple desires: purely to enjoy and play Japanese Taiko-style drums and be lost in their power and grace. Starting with homemade instruments made from packing tape and cut-to-size sewer pipes they began to gather in the basement of a member’s house. Today, Yamabiko Taiko has evolved into a regularly performing group and practices have moved to the basement of the Kelowna Buddhist Temple.

Shuttle Bus – Book a round trip shuttle bus for only $5. Go to our shuttle bus booking page to check the schedule and book your shuttle here. On-line booking for shuttles ends at 12 noon on show day. If you’d like to make a last minute booking, please call our box office before 4 pm on show day. Last minute booking spaces may not be available.

Individual Adult Ticket: $30.

PLUS:

• the bargain price of $10 for anyone under 30 years old
• 2 for 1 for hospital / medical employees for all Performing Arts Trail shows.
• New attendees 2 for 1: Bring someone who hasn’t been to the theatre before and get 2 for 1 for all Performing Arts Trail shows. New patron must not already be in our database and must join our email list.

60 min Sansei: The Storyteller followed by 30 min Yamabiko Taiko Drummers. Reserved Seating. Intermission.

Don’t miss the last Performing Arts Trail Series show the Huu-Bac Quinte on Tuesday May 2, 2023. Montreal based Huu Bac Quach and his quintet skillfully combine his Vietnamese and Chinese heritages with North-American jazz music. His beautiful compositions feature the dan bau (single chord Vietnamese instrument), the erhu (Chinese fiddle), the quena (Peruvian flute) and the guitar.

The Performing Arts Trail series is sponsored by Teck Trail Operations, Pharmasave Trail and Century 21 Kootenay Homes (2018) Ltd. With funding support from the BC Arts Council, the Province of British Columbia, the BC Touring Council and Tourism South Kootenay. This series is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. / Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.

COVID Protocols– Show dates, times and conditions may be subject to change as mandated by Provincial Health Orders and subject to the COVID climate. At this time, masks are recommended but not required. We are not required to ask for proof of vaccination and shows can operate at 100% capacity. Patrons will be notified by email of any changes in our COVID protocols.