PUCCINI — "La Boheme"
 May
2 Shiga
As part of director & conductor, Seiji Ozawa's Ongaku-Juku
Opera Project, La Boheme by Puccini is the second opera of a series
of five that the maestro will conduct. This project was created
by Ozawa as an educational programme for young musicians and the
orchestra who will play Giacomo Puccini's (1858-1924) enduring opera
of youth has been selected from this project. La Boheme is divided
into four acts and takes place in Paris. It tells the story of struggling
young artists with lofty aspirations who are unable to earn money
to eat, yet remain devoutly dedicated to art.
Ozawa is an international figure in the music world, appearing regularly
with many orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna
Philharmonic. La Boheme is directed by Robert Carsen. The opera
is in Italian with a Japanese translation.
Where: Biwako Hall Center for the Performing
Arts, Shiga
How to get there: From Otsu station, 5mins bus ride to 'Biwako
Hall Mae'.
How much: ¥8,000-¥25,000.
Time: 15:00
Tel: 077-523-7136
A Night With Snoopy
Until Mar 2005 Osaka
 Peanuts,
the well known comic strip created by Charles M. SchultTel: that captured
our imagination with characters such as: Woodstock, Lucy, Charlie
Brown and, of course, Snoopy, the eccentric beagle with a Walter
Mitty complex who regards his master Charlie Brown as "that
round-headed kid" who brings him his supper dish.
Well, fans of Snoopy are in for a treat. Twenty rooms at the Imperial
Hotel, Osaka, have been kitted out in the theme of this Peanuts
character. The rooms are decorated with many items relating to this
lovable beagle, to include a one-meter-tall stuffed toy, bed covers,
cushions, coffee mugs, water glasses and a hair dryer.
You will not leave empty-handed either. All guests will receive
a set of spoons decorated with a specially designed Snoopy, as a
gift.
Where: Imperial Hotel Osaka
How to get there: 5mins from the West exit of JR Sakuranomiya
station.
Tel: 06-6881-1111
How much: ¥20,500 per person (when two people share a
room) to include breakfast. Prices vary at weekends and National
holidays.
www.imperialhotel.co.jp
NAKANOSHIMA LARKS in the PARK
May 23
Formerly known as Mukogawa, Dance on the Banks,
Nakanoshima, Larks in the Park is an all-day, outdoor, free music
festival. It is held in KenTel: aki Park, Nakanoshima in Osaka once
a year in May.
The festival consists of a main stage, featuring various bands playing
many different styles of music, and a smaller ‘Chill’
stage featuring performances of music, dance, art exhibitions, DJ’s
etc.
Another feature of the festival is that there are many stalls selling
food and drinks from around the world. Also, international charities,
awareness groups, NGO’s etc, are welcome to join and give out
information on their activities.
The main feature of this year’s festival
will be THE PORKERS, one of the hottest ska-bands in Australia,
who are coming over just for the event. Also featured will be Taiko
shudan ‘Ikari’ (a Japanese drum troupe), TRIPOD JIMMY
(punk), HIGH PERFORMANCE THINGS (rock), BUMP SKOOL (Funk/ R&B)
and many more TBA. The Chill stage will feature performances from;
SOUL FIRE, GRIND ORCHESTRA, SHIT CREEK, IMA TENKO, NUTRON and more
TBA.
When: Sunday, May 23rd. 12-noon to 8pm.
Where: KenTel: aki koen, Nakanoshima. By train take either Keihan
line or Sakaisuji subway to Kitahama station. Go out exit 26 and
head over the bridge. About halfway over the bridge, is a stairway
going down into a rose garden. Go straight through the garden and
keep walking. You will come to KenTel: aki Park.
Contact: Joe: 090-4270-5517.
Events compiled by Mylene Oishi
Kansai Event Listings
|
May 1-4
INTEX FESTA
The Osaka International Trade Fair returns with a new name.
An international tradeshow with a huge assortment of merchandise,
information and services in the categories of clothing, food,
housing and entertainment.
@ Intex Osaka
Entry: ¥1000/¥500
Getting there: New Tram Nakafuto Stn.
Tel: 06-6612-1212
May 1-10
NOTel: AKI MAIRI
A time-honored festival with a history stretching back over
three centuries, officially called muen-hoyo, in which gratitude
is offered to all things in the whole universe.
@ NoTel: aki Kannon
Entry: Free
Getting there: JR Gakken-toshi, NoTel: aki Stn.
Tel: 072-876-2324
May 2
TENNO SHO (Spring)
Japan’s Biggest Horse Race of the Year
Entry: ¥200
@ Kyoto Race Course
Getting there: Keihan-line, Yodo Stn. (5min walk) www.jra.go.jp
May 3-4
THE 6TH TAKATSUKI JATel: Tel: STREET 2004
A few hundred groups comprising over 1,000 performers, including
top-ranking musicians from around the world, will be performing
live in 20 different locations starting from JR Takatsuki
Station to Shiroato Park via Hankyu Takatsuki-shi Station.
Time: 11.00am~
Entry: Free for all
Getting there: JR Takatsuki Stn.
Tel: 072-662-7222
May 4
Day of the full Moon
FESTIVAL OF THE FULL MOON
A mystical ceremony held on the night of the full moon in
May.
Prayers offered to the deity of Mt. Kurama.
@Kurama-dera Temple Kyoto.
Tel: 075-741-2003
May 5
Makura (Pillow) Festival
A rare festival in which participants carry a 5m-long green
bamboo log on their shoulders to which some 25 pillow (makura)
are bound.
@ Hine Shrine
Time: 9.30am~
Entry: Free
Getting there: Nankai main ITel: umisano Stn./ JR Hanwa Hinone
Stn. From there take Nankai bus to Higashiue stop.
Tel: 0724-63-1212
May 8-9
JAPAN BEER FESTIVAL
Features 50-milliliter microbrews and foreign as well as domestic
brands. The first 500 people on both days will receive a commemorative
glass.
@ Tower West Building, Kita ward, Osaka
¥2,800 in advance ¥3,200 at the door
Sat: 13:00-18:30 Sun: 12:00-17:30
May 8-9
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
RSC from England will perform Othello, in English.
Japanese earphone guide is available. Gregory Doran is the
director.
@ Biwako Hall, Shiga
¥5,000/¥2,500
Tel: 077-523-7136
May 15-23
“HANA RANMAN 2004” FLOWER & GREENERY FESTIVAL
An annual celebration of the greening of the city. A colourful
collection of object d’art and events will be on show
under the banner “Nakanoshima—harmony woven with
nature.” The blooms of 4,000 roses in 89 varieties will
grace the Rose Garden in the Park.
@ Rose Garden, Nakanoshima Park
Time: 9.00am~
Entry: Free
Getting there: Subway Yodoyabashi Stn.
Tel: 06-6615-0965
Thru. May 16
BOLSHOI CIRCUS
Members of the popular Russian circus troupe will perform
acrobatics.
2 performances weekdays, 3 weekends & public holidays
@ Nara Dreamland
Admission to the theme park: ¥1,300/¥700 + circus
ticket ¥500
Tel: 0742-23-1111
May 24
GRAND PRIX CONCERT 2004
JUPITER TRIO
A performance by the piano trio, formed in San Francisco in
1998, has won the 4th Osaka International Chamber Competition.
@ ITel: umi Hall, Osaka
Entry: ¥3000
Getting there: JR Osaka Loop Line OsakaJo-Koen Stn., Keihan
Kyobashi Stn.
Tel: 06-6944-1188
May 27
ITALIAN CHAMBER VOCAL MUSIC
Fulvia Morabito will discuss the music's history and development
@ Kyoto City University of Art, Nishikyo ward
18:00 Admission free
Tel: 075-334-2222
May 29
GASTRONOMIC DINNER
An executive chef will create a full French course menu with
selected ingredients from Wakayama, Nara and Ehime.
Imperial Hotel Osaka, Kita Ward.
¥17,900.
Reservations: Tel: 06-6881-1111
May 31
STRAWBERRY FAIR
A variety of cakes prepared with fresh strawberries.
Available from: ¥399-¥2,100.
@ Bay Leaf shop at Kobe Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers
Tel: 078-857-7000
|
|
