Casual Fifth - Japanese Taiko Concert
July 17, 2026 7:00 PM
Casual Fifth is returning to perform at Surry Arts and Events at the Barn Friday July 17th at 7:00pm
Casual Fifth is a Philadelphia based Taiko and Modern Dance ensemble focused on creating innovative work rooted in the fundamentals and history of Japanese Taiko drumming and American Modern Dance. The ensemble is directed by Mac Evans and Alex Pfister (both Maine natives), who learned these art forms studying with multiple Taiko and Modern Dance teachers from NYC, Boston, Hawaii and Japan. As an ensemble Casual Fifth pays homage to the origins of Taiko and Modern Dance and derives inspiration from these roots to create new works.
Taiko drums have been part of Japanese folk music and dance, theater and religious ceremonies for centuries. The form of choreographed ensemble drumming (“kumidaiko”) originated in the 1960s drawing from folk music, Kabuki and Noh theater and jazz influences and is now popular around the globe. Taiko performances are visual and musical experiences engaging for all audiences. American Modern Dance developed over the first half of the 1900s. Although there are many Modern Dance techniques and styles, their unifying feature is a choreographic interest in the human condition and in the dancing body responding to gravity and rebounding from the ground. Performances are a fusion of music and movement and are enjoyable for all ages.
More information on Casual Fifth can be found at: