The Festival of Japan: Drums + Dance

THE FESTIVAL OF JAPAN: DRUMS + DANCE

Presented by The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York

Saturday, June 17, 7:00PM / Sunday, June 18, 2:00PM

Abrons Arts Center Playhouse Theater
(466 Grand St, New York, NY 10002 | MAP |)

The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York (JFDINY) presents THE FESTIVAL OF JAPAN: DRUMS + DANCE, a collaborative dance performance between JFDINY’s own dance ensemble MINBUZA, accompanied by world renowned taiko ensemble SUKEROKU TAIKO from Japan. Powerful taiko performances will be weaved throughout a full repertoire of over a thousand years of folk dance, including Tsugaru Aiya Bushi (umbrella and fan dance from Aomori) and Onikenbai (demon masked sword dance from Iwate and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage).

Special Musical Guest: Tsugaru Shamisen Singer/Player Yuzu Natsumi.

THE FESTIVAL OF JAPAN: DRUMS + DANCE celebrates the 30th anniversary of The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York.

Tickets: $25 ($30 Door), Students $15

Ticket Link:

Artist Bios:

MINBUZA

Minbuza, which in Japanese means “Folk Dance Group”, is the professional performance troupe within The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY. We present traditional folk dances from all over Japan, using authentic folk music and colorful traditional costumes. We have performed nationally at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Epcot Pavilion at Disney World Florida, as well as annual appearances at many Cherry Blossom Festivals including The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Sakura Matsuri. Internationally we have performed in Switzerland and Russia. We have appeared in Madonna’s music video for the song “Nothing Really Matters,” as well as on NBC’s The Today Show, ABC’s Regis and Kelly, and the Untitled Action Bronson Show on VICE TV. Minbuza is especially proud of its educational work with various public and private schools, universities, and institutions.

SUKEROKU TAIKO

Sukeroku Taiko was formed in 1959 at Tokyo’s Yushima Tenjin Shrine to not only carry on the rich heritage of traditional Japanese drumming, but also to create a new contemporary style of taiko. Until then, drumming in Tokyo was confined to the summer Obon festivals. The founders of Sukeroku Taiko, champion Obon drummers not satisfied with playing solely during the summer months, began studying drum patterns from Japanese classical music as well as other percussion styles from around Japan. The distinctive “sukeroku style” evolved to include exciting and lively rhythms, while incorporating dance and dynamic bodily movements into the performance of taiko. They have performed extensively in the U.S., Spain, Germany, Brazil, China, and South Korea, among others.

YUZU NATSUMI

Yuzu is a singer and songwriter from Japan, playing Japanese traditional guitar called “Shamisen” in a modern and in a traditional way. With her shamisen and her catchy rhythms, she introduces the beauty and sophistication of Japanese culture to the world, through traditional music and her original songs.

Far from just performing in Japan, to share her love of traditional Japanese culture, she travels all around the world. So far she has performed in 16 countries, including France (Japan Expo Paris), Thailand (Japan Expo Thailand), India, Iceland and Serbia.

THE FESTIVAL OF JAPAN: DRUMS + DANCE is supported in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council, the Japan-United States Friendship Commission, The Japan Foundation New York, and the Mid Atlantic Folk and the Traditional Arts-Community Projects program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ticket Link:

For More Info: japanesefolkdanceny@gmail.com