Batiholic
KYOTO Nov. 3-4
A timely event to enjoy the Japanese Cultural
Day (11/3). Kyoto based, Batiholic is a professional and dynamic
group which has an outstanding talent in traditional Japanese drums
and dance performances. The group is made up of young Japanese talents
and has achieved remarkable popularity nationwide in no time. To
celebrate the innaugration of the new theatre hall of Doshisha University,
Batiholic will perform a traditional Northern Japanese music and
dance for this two-day celebration.
Hardy Hall, (Kanbaikan) Doshisha University
3/11: 19:00-21:00 (Open: 18:30) • 4/11: 18:00-20:00 (Open:
17:30)
Admission: Free (but need to book your seat in prior)
Getting there: Subway Imadegawa Stn. 2-min walk to North from Exit
#2
Tel: 075-251-3270 • Fax: 075-251-3099 • www.bati-holic.jp
Nara De-ai
NARA Nov. 6-7
This annual event grows bigger and better each
year. Last year over 7,000 people attended, including foreign residents
from the 71 different nationalities that live in Nara. Not unlike
a village fete, this event has bazaars, fun and games for children,
dance and music performances, food of the world, shops and work-shops.
The underlying theme this year is the global environment. In order
to make children conscious of their environment the organizers have
tied up with Nara Green Network and the biggest German youth group,
Bund that takes part each year in Umwelt-Kinder-Tag. This is a good
chance to meet people as the event name, De-ai suggests. Held in
the grounds of the former Todai-ji school, it is minutes away from
Todai-ji.
Former Todai-ji school in the grounds of Todai-ji
Time: 6th, 11:00-16:00 • 7th 10:00-15:00
Getting there: City bus to Todai-ji from JR/Kintetsu stations
Admission: Free (Small fee for workshops)
Tel: 0742-21-8211 (Mon, Thu, Sat after 13:00)
Osaka YMCA Charity Run 2004
OSAKA Nov 7
Osaka YMCA is holding a Charity Run 2004 in Banpaku-Koen
on November 7 to raise funds for various children's projects. This
year will be the 10th anniversary of this charity relay marathon
by Osaka YMCA. About 700 people including runners, volunteers and
sponsors will gather together for the event and to share the spirit
of caring.
Today, there are charity runs organized by 13
city YMCAs, lead by Chuck Wilson as National Charity Run Chairman.
Almost ¥35 million was raised in 2003 and supported 110 local
camps and programs for mentally and physically challenged children
across Japan.
The event is open to anyone and everyone; adults
and children, challenged and unchallenged, serious and non-serious
runners. The organizers say, “We need you not only as a runner,
but also as a volunteer, donor, and spectator. Will you join us
to support YMCA way of caring for your community?”
Banpaku-Koen, Tekkokan (Entrance fee is
needed)
Time: 9:00am - noon
Tel: 06-6441-0894 / 075-861-0012 • FAX:06-6445-0297
E-mail: info@osakaymca.or.jp • www.osakaymca.or.jp/volunteer/charirun/index.html
Elizabeth Rex
SHIGA Nov 14
Written by Canadian Timothy Findley, this is a
drama based on the original stage production at the Stratford Festival
of Canada.
The play takes place on the night of April 22,
1616, where Shake-speare and the Virgin Queen are brought together
in a remarkable encounter. It is the night before the beheading
of her lover, and to distract her from her heartbreak Elizabeth
demands that William Shakespeare and his acting troupe perform a
play for her.
Historical, poignant and at times hilarious, the
driving force for the drama is the exchange between 'King' Elizabeth
who has destroyed her feminine side in order to reign the country
successfully and an actor called Ned, who is a drag-queen and who
has lived all his life as a woman.
The play is witty and is food for thought at what
might have been. Rei Asami plays the part of Elizabeth Rex. Eiji
Okuda is William Shakespeare and Ned is played by Juichi Kobayashi.
Biwako Hall
Time: 14:00 • Entry: ¥5,000/¥6,000
Getting there: 5-mins bus ride from Otsu stn.
Tel: 077-523-7136 • www.biwako-hall.or.jp
Sound - Image - Dance
KOBE Nov 22
 The
Rubio String Quartet from Belgium has acquired a solid reputation
on the international concert scene since their formation in 1991.
Carnegie Hall, New York and the Royal Academy in London to name
but two world famous venues in which they have performed. As part
of the 11th Osaka European Film Festival, they have come together
with dancer Heidi Durning, artist Sarah Brayer and pianist Rikuya
Terashima (all Kyoto residents) to perform a combination of music
and dance inspired by, and written for film and theatre.
Durning will dance to John McCabe's, Woman by
the sea, a piece written for piano and strings, wearing a kimono
painted by Brayer. This concert is not strictly classical, there
will be different genre of music to include the Shostakovich Jazz
Suite, theatre music by Chris Carlier and the Quartet will perform
Theme and Variations for Piano Quintet, which was created for them
by composer Frederick Devreese in what promises to be an evening
of sound, image and dance.
The Canadian Academy, Rokko Island
Time: 19:00 • Admission: Adults ¥1,500 Students ¥800
Getting there: From JR Sumiyoshi station take the Rokko liner to
Marine Park Stn.
Tel: 06-6773-8850 / 078-857-0100
Events compiled by Mylene Oishi
Kansai Event Listings
|
November 3
Tayama Hana Odori
Dancers in bright attire perform tradition-al dances. This
ritual was original held to pray for rain in times of famine
during the Edo Period. Although it ceased for a while, it
has been restored and is an intangible cultural property of
Kyoto.
Suwa Shrine, Kyoto
Getting there: From JR Tsukigase-Guchi station, bus to Tayama-Miya-No-Mae
Tel: 07439 3 0101
November 3
Shintenno-ji Wasso
Wasso derives from an ancient Korean word meaning, "I've
come". Shintenno-ji Wasso is a colourful event that recreates
international exchange between Japan and East Asia. A parade
of thousands of people dressed as historical figures together
with a procession of floats travel 1.5km along the Shintenno-ji
route.
Shintenno-ji, Tennoji-ku Osaka
Getting there: 5mins walk from Shintenno-Ji-Mae-Yuhigaoka
station
Tel: 06 6771 9162
www1.kcn.ne.jp/wasso
November 3
Kyokusui Party
Poets dressed in court costumes write poems on narrow strips
of paper while cups of sake float down on a water conduit.
Jonangu Temple, Kyoto
Getting there: Takeda station on Kintetsu Kyoto line
Tel: 075 343 6655
November 3
Sogawa Festival
People dressed in mountain robes of the Edo period parade
along in a procession of devils and lion dances.
Sogawa Shrine, Wakayama
Getting there: Bus from JR Gobo station
Tel: 073 435 1234
November 3
Kemari Festival
Kemari is a traditional court ball game not unlike football,
that became an amusement of the aristocracy of Japan in the
10th century. You can see shrine priests dressed in court
costumes kick the ball around and play this game. The divine
spirit of Fujiwara is the enshrined deity of this Shrine,
Tanzan Jinja, Sakurai
From: 11:00
Getting there: Bus to Tanzan Jinja from Sakurai station
Tel: 0744 49 0001
November 3
Oyako Matsuri (Parent-child festival)
A parade that will include members of the Sanshozenji Temple
Aikido Dojo as well as other practising members of the society
of Yamato Koriyama martial arts, who will dress in hakama.
Start at Yamato Koriyama City Office
Time: 10:00
Tel: 0742 22 3900
November 5 & 7
Frankfurt Opera
This opera company presents Wozzeck, an opera in three parts
by Alban Berg (1885-1935). Written by Georg Buchner, it will
be performed in German with Japanese subtitles.
Osaka College of Music
5th:18:00, 7th: 14:00
Entry: ¥6,000-¥9,000
Getting there: 10mins walk from Shonai station on the Hankyu
Takarazuka line
Tel: 06 6334 2242
November 5, 6 & 7
Cycle Style 2004
A bicycle exhibition displaying the latest bikes and next
year's models. Japanese cyclists who participated at the Athens
Olympics will be on hand to demonstrate some trial riding.
The public are also invited to try out the latest bikes.
Osaka Dome
Time: 5th, 14:00-21:00, 6th. 10:00-18:00. 7th, 10:00-17:00
Getting there: Opposite Chiyosaki station
Admission: ¥500. Children free.
Tel: 06-6947-1912
November 7
Dream Party Osaka
An exhibition that features beauty characters, organized by
the Ceramic Arts Japan 2004 Executive committee.
Intex Osaka
Time: 11:30-16:00
Entry ¥1,000
Getting there: Nanko Cosmo Square
Tel: 06 6343 3275
November 13-14
Asia Auto Business Fair
An exhibition that features state of the art auto, body maintenance
service machines, tools and related products.
Intex Osaka
Time: 10:00-17:00
Admission: Free
Getting there: Nanko Cosmo Square
Tel: 06 6343 3222
November 21
Butoh
Primarily a stage performer and dancer, Akaji Maro's Dairakudakan,
which can only be described as an avant garde da-nce troupe
will perform Tsubo no Ookimi.
May Theater
Time: 14:00, Admission: ¥4,500
Getting there: 10mins from JR ShinOsaka
Tel: 06 6380 2221
Till November 23
Swords
A reminder that there are still master sword makers around.
The collection of swords on display feature work by the masters
as well as ancient swords donated by Kasuga Shrine.
Sasayama Shiritsu Rekishi Bijutsukan
Time: 9:00-16:00
Getting there: JR Sasayama station
Entry: ¥200-¥500
Tel: 0795 52 0601
November 23
The Phillippe Genty Company
This French perfoming troupe uses just about everything to
put on a show. Mime, dance, magic, puppets and illusions.
Theater Drama City, Osaka
Time: 12:30 & 17:30
Entry: ¥5,500/¥7,500
Getting there: 8mins walk from JR Osaka
Tel: 06 6377 3888
November 28
Youth Sunday Live
Youth power lives! Many young musicians and performers fulfill
their dream by app-earing on stage before a live audience.
The participants have also played a key role in the organization
and management of this outdoor event. Be prepared to listen
to all kinds of musical genres and see some original dance
routines.
Nara Park
Time: 12:30-16:30, Admission: Free
Getting there: Bus from Nara JR/Kintetsu stations to Daibutsu
Tel: 0742 27 8615
www.pref.nara.jp/seisyonen/
|
|
