Of the many art forms represented at Folk On The Rocks, few originate from farther afield than the sounds of SkyFire Taiko.

The Yellowknife-based quartet performs live shows inspired by Japanese taiko drumming, a centuries old form that combines martial arts choreography with music.

Nancy Mullick, who founded SkyFire with Kevin Cull in 2015, said their upcoming performance on Sunday afternoon will be like a SA国际影视传媒渇ull circle journey.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭he first time I saw taiko was in 2008 at Folk On The Rocks,SA国际影视传媒� she said about the Uzume Taiko performance. SA国际影视传媒淚t was a really inspirational moment seeing that the art form existed and that I could learn how to do it.SA国际影视传媒�

While the duo kept SkyFire going for its first few years, Mullick helped infuse it with new rhythms by making trips to Japan, where she learned new repertoire and drumming techniques. Cull has also contributed his own rhythms and choreography.

Invigorated by their practice sessions, SkyFireSA国际影视传媒檚 third member, Leslie Gray joined in 2018.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think we all love drumming!SA国际影视传媒� Gray said. SA国际影视传媒淲e all really enjoy playing together and learning new songs (and) the challenge of learning a new rhythm and doing it together.SA国际影视传媒�

SkyFireSA国际影视传媒檚 first performance as a trio took place just weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in the NWT, in March 2020. The Hemispheres event at Northern United Place featured taiko groups from Oregon, British Columbia and even Australia, with SkyFire joining for some larger group performances.

Pandemic restrictions suspended public SkyFire shows for many months, but they kept practising in MullickSA国际影视传媒檚 backyard and at Collective Soul Space, despite some hurdles posed by Covid-19 regulations.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was difficult to practice in masks while jumping and shouting,SA国际影视传媒� Gray said, with a laugh, recalling those practices. SA国际影视传媒淚 think the love of drumming and the desire to keep learning has kept us going.SA国际影视传媒�

Mullick began teaching taiko classes at Collective Soul Space during the pandemic. One of her first students SA国际影视传媒� Eva Paul, who was particularly dedicated SA国际影视传媒� officially became SkyFireSA国际影视传媒檚 fourth member in February this year.

SA国际影视传媒淏eing able to teach in the last two years showed me thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of interest in taiko. It was motivating to keep going,SA国际影视传媒� Mullick said.

The group plays on a set of five taiko drums, one of which was custom made using buffalo hide by MullickSA国际影视传媒檚 partner, Richard Bergen. Two others are from California and one comes from Japan.

After their last public show in June 2021 at the Multicultural Festival in Somba KSA国际影视传媒檈 Park, the drummers are more than excited for their Sunday performance, though Paul wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be able to join.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 huge support from the Folk On The Rocks organizers. Along with our joy in drumming, I think thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a nice feeling of community support,SA国际影视传媒� Gray said.

Mullick will also host a taiko workshop after their show. There will be 10 practice drums and 14 rubber practice pads for attendees.

-by Blair McBride