“Storytelling is the coming together of everybody, the first art,” Aoki says. “It’s what shamans did, connecting heaven and Earth, and weaving the collective unconscious into a community.” Combining numerous elements of art into a communicative whole is Brenda Wong Aoki’s gift. Swirling Japanese Noh and Kyogen theater with contemporary stories, adding a healthy helping of commedia dell’arte, and finishing off with American Jazz and modern dance, Aoki serves a sumptuous banquet of storytelling to her audiences. Listening to Brenda is an indulgent and rewarding experience not to be missed.