Shadow and Light, Stories and Music, with Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo

Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Orcas Public Library

— by Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo of Eth-Noh-Tec —

Ready for some storytelling? A concert, “Between Shadow and Light” will be a blend of storytelling of Pan-Asian myths and folktales, Japanese Shakuhachi flute and other Asian bamboo wind music with Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo of Eth-Noh-Tec (producers of Orcas Storyfest), and audience recitations of quotes from Martin Luther King, Carl Jung, Rumi, Helen Keller- all on the topic of “shadow and light.”

The stories chosen for the concert are of mythologies and folk tales from China, India, Mongolia, Japan, Korea and more.

This theme is appropriately titled, not just to suit this darkened time of year, but also alluding to the strangeness of our current Winter season. We humans are sensing something is out of balance. These ancient mythologies and folk tales will express some aspect of “imbalance” between: awareness and recognition, ignorance and wisdom, male and female power, between what is seemingly “real” is actually illusion. We are learning that our imbalance in the human’s world effect an entire complex and magnificent matrix.

• The Indian story, “The Flowering Tree,”is a tale of love and ordeal; a beautiful princess who transforms magically into a flowering tree, her disfiguration caused by jealous court princesses, a wandering lost prince who goes insane in the forest, a circus caravan who displays the disfigured princess in a freak show, and more!. Though centuries old, this story brings attention to the plight of women internationally.
• A Mongolian tale, “Tarvaa,” is a journey story where a boy discovers that “death” is not a world of decay but one of vibrancy and richness, as those who have died have given up their worldly material possessions. A King tells the boy, “When they die… they dragged all their ‘stuff’ down here, all that they strived for, coveted, accumulated, even murdered for… all their ‘things’ are totally useless here!”

Winter is a time for darkness and cold. But as we stay huddled in our homes, perhaps staring at a warm fire place, or cuddled up next to loved ones, or even alone, it is an opportunity for us to explore our inner world. Through reflection, self-introspection, even remembering memories of lost loved ones, triumphs or failed trials in life, we can hold these stories like in paradox, both light and dark together.

Included in the concert will be a brief slideshow of community storytelling projects that Eth-Noh-Tec has done locally, regionally and internationally- expressing the power of storytelling in communities.

“Between Shadow and Light” will be held at the Orcas Library on Tues, Feb 11 at 7:00 pm. The event is free to the public with an opportunity to donate if you wish. The library has limited seating so please RSVP by Feb 9 to Robert@ethnohtec.org or call 415-412-2657.

We are looking for volunteers for the Meet-n-Greet committee to help host (refreshments, room logistic, etc.) Contact Robert directly: Robert@ethnohtec.org or call 415-412-2657.