OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg Command Performances is thrilled to be TAO: Drum Heart’s first US stop on their 2018 North American Tour, said a OCP press release.

The internationally acclaimed percussion artists will showcase the ancient art of Japanese drumming Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Curtain time is 7:45 in George Hall Auditorium at Ogdensburg Free Academy; preshow chat begins at 6:45.

Highly physical large-scale drumming, contemporary costumes, precise choreography, and innovative visuals combine to present a beautiful story, simple and elegant, that is truly an unforgettable experience, said the press release.

This performance is sponsored by North Country Public Radio.

For tickets, $19 to $43 call 315-393-2625 or visit ILoveTheatre.org. Discounts are available for seniors, students, groups of 15 or more, and “Friends.”

TAO was established in 1993 in Aichi prefecture, Japan, with the goal of entertaining the world. In 1995, to pursue an even deeper creative environment, TAO moved to the Kuju area of Taketa city, Oita prefecture, Kyushu Island – the site of the legendary Aso Kuju National Park.

Based in Kuju, TAO began the creation of a distinct world of its own, through original theater arts, costumes and more. A production office was established in Kuju to run shows both inside and outside of Japan, as well as market, design and produce video. Then, in 2010 in collaboration with the overseas endeavors of Hakata Ippudo Ramen, a special shop was opened. Fusing food and theater with a Japanese aesthetic, the project conveys the innovative spirit of TAO.

In 2004, DRUM TAO attended the world’s largest festival of the arts – the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. They were the No.1 box-office smash hit of the festival despite it being the first time they participated.

Their success at the Festival Fringe DRUM TAO launched their first world tour with three month long-run shows in Germany and Australia. After being invited to perform at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, every single show was sold-out on their first North American tour visiting 44 cities totaling 50 shows throughout the U.S.

DRUM TAO has been expanding worldwide having performed in over 24 countries - 500 cities - with 7 million spectators, the press release said.

With this worldwide achievement and more than 200 shows/year in Japan, TAO received “The 6th Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner’s Awards” from Japan Tourism Agency and “Outstanding Cultural Contribution” from Oita prefecture. TAO has been rewriting the whole story of traditional Japanese Drum and it proudly remains the one and only and yet the greatest of all Japanese Drum Performers in Japan.

The performers who take the stage for TAO are both highly trained athletes and highly-expressive artists, said the OCP press release. Melodies of various genres and traditional instruments result in a scene that only TAO can present, using world-class techniques and specialized knowledge.

This performance is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.