St. Louis Osuwa Taiko

If you've ever been the Missouri Botanical Garden's Japanese Festival, you've likely heard the group St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, if not actually seen it. Members perform intricate and rhythmic percussion pieces on traditional Japanese taiko drums, some of which are so large that their report can be heard throughout the garden. Tonight at 8 p.m. the group takes its act indoors to the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus (1 University Drive at Natural Bridge Road; www.touhill.org). Osuwa Taiko will collaborate with special guests Afriky Lolo (well-known for his west African drum and dance ensemble) and local Japanese musical ensemble Gaku during the show, which also features some new songs the drummers have never performed live before. One is a traditional Japanese festival song, and the other is a Polish folk song that will blend Eastern and Western instrumentation. It should be interesting. Tickets are $10 to $25.