KANU

“KANU is a story inspired by my life travels in the Alaskan wilderness and the greater life journey that took me around this planet…it’s a piece of the song of life that is singing us….and is yearning for us to sing along…”

KANU
Co-created and directed by Jake Perrine

Drawing from Rafe Pearlman’s experiences growing up in the Alaskan wilderness, KANU is an immersive multidisciplinary performance. Featuring Pearlman’s lush and dynamic vocals, in collaboration with world class guest musicians, KANU takes you on a journey into a wild and interactive landscape of song, soundscapes, visual installations and storytelling.

Join Rafe Pearlman in KANU—an immersive, interactive journey through the Alaskan wilderness via song, soundscapes, visual installations and storytelling. Drawing on Pearlman’s own experiences growing up in the remote Alaskan interior, the KANU project is guided by Pearlman’s lush and dynamic vocals in collaboration with world class guest musicians.

KANU’s mission is to connect audiences to the love and awe of nature in the hope it inspire others be in communication with our most precious resource…the planet itself. Living in the wilderness, death is always present; KANU honors this dance of light and darkness, death and rebirth.

KANU travels from the wilderness into the spaces in between the worlds…landing home on Orcas Island where the story is now shared.

Dynamic, otherworldly, supernatural, intimate, triumphant, tragic, epic and innately simply human, this is an invitation to join together in adventure and exploration.

BIOS:

Rafe Pearlman started his singing career with the wolves, ravens and sled dogs of the Alaskan wilderness. The wild nature of his exploratory singing has led to performances spanning the globe, from India, Hong Kong, Israel and Germany, to Italy, France, Spain, Australia, Thailand, Mexico and all across the United States.

Rafe’s intention with his music is to inspire a vision of a world in harmony and unity, celebrating diversity, sustainability, and equality for all beings. Sometimes a simple song is all it takes to open a connection. 

He is a performer, composer, speaker, storyteller and creative vocal coach.

Chihsuan has toured the world over and participated in highly-acclaimed productions, stages and festivals. While being featured as a soloist in various recordings and performances, Chihsuan continues to work with a variety of artists. From playing with Yo-Yo Ma and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, to Grammy Award winner David Foster and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Her renowned skill and eclectic versatility with the violin, erhu, and piano can be heard throughout the globe.

Jake Perrine : has been honored to take this trip with Rafe, from inception to tonight. It has been a joyous creative experience.Jake is proud to be the current Artistic Director of the Orcas Center where he enjoys his role as a dreamer, an instigator, and a manifester. 

He is grateful to occasionally stretch his creative ambitions and diverse skillsets on shows like this one, handling stage direction, lighting, projections, and audio mixing.

"Rafe Pearlman’s show KANU is a luscious soundscape of story and music that takes you on a journey through the worlds. 

His rich voice is timeless and invokes ceremony from beginning to end. 

The musicians are stellar and the sound and video images blend together in an amazing art piece that carries it all. I was mesmerized and transported from beginning to end. More than a concert, this is a ritual installation of story, heart, sounds and sight.

Highly recommended to all!”   Khadoma Colomby