Portland Taiko opens library festival on Thursday

Portland Taiko, a traditional Japanese drumming group, will perform Thursday evening at the Cedar Mill Community Library to kick off its Winter Arts and Reading Festival.

Taiko is traditionally performed to call a community together in times of celebration. In this case, the group -- whose drumming is as physical it is rhythmic -- will launch the monthslong festival of performances, contests and crafts. The free show will be at 7 pm in the upstairs meeting room at the library, 12505 NW Cornell Road.