International festivals

Are all festivals created equal? KS has found that no, they aren't, and here's why.

Be it spring, summer, winter or fall, a festival is going on somewhere in Japan. Many of those festivals date back hundreds of years and display a unique aspect of Japanese culture. However, there is another side to festivals in Japan that residents and visitors alike may or may not be aware of: the international side. Japan has residents from all over the world, although only a fraction of the native population. With typical gusto, the eager masses of Japan have adopted and celebrate the cultures brought in by the foreign residents. The celebration of those cultures has been increasing in popularity as evidenced through the growing throngs of people to festivals with an international flavour. KS did some digging around and found a few festivals and events that might tickle your fancy.

APRIL

Annual ANZAC Night BBQ

Alright, we know this is the May issue but KS didn't want you to miss out on this great night of celebrating the wonderful Land Down Under next year at Tins Hall! This event is always packed with anyone who loves to have a good time and eat meat from the barbie; Australian beef and lamb that is. There will be music on stage and if you look carefully, you might find some vegemite around to smear on your bread and wash down with your VB.

Keep your eyes peeled come next spring to www.tins-hall.com for the exact date.

INFIORATA KOBE

Again, mark your calendar now for next year! During this fragrant festival, the petals from thousands of tulips are plucked and laid on the ground in different designs. For 2007 the design theme for the twelve pictures was The World's Festivals. The roots of this festival are European but it was started in Kobe after the Great Hanshin Earthquake devastated the city.

For more information see: www.city.kobe.jp/cityoffice/83/gaikoku/ en/event.html or call Ward Community Support Division.
Tel: 232-4411 (ext. 411~413), Fax: 242-3599

MAY

3rd & 4th: TAKATSUKI JAZZ STREET FESTIVAL

Put on your comfy dancing shoes because this festival will take you around Takatsuki city to see 1,000 musicians who will be performing at 38 different venues during the 9th annual Takatsuki Jazz Street Festival! The main performances will take place at the Takatsuki Gendai Gekijou, which is about a 10 minute walk from JR Takatsuki station, but just about every café and bar in town will have some kind of live Jazz performance. All performances are free but all pamphlets are in Japanese so take your dictionary or a Japanese-speaking friend! The main day of the event, May 4th, features the big concert at the Gekijou, featuring the Global Jazz Orchestra, with special guest Eric Marienthal (ex. Chick Corea saxophonist), as well as legendary jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli. The Global Jazz Orchestra will perform at 7pm, and Bucky Pizzarelli at 8pm.

For info in English, contact jazz@0726.info or
Tel: 072-662-7222

12th: KOBE MATSURI

The ever-popular Kobe Festival will be held this year for the 37th time. Festivities include a parade and stage events. Past years have seen performances of Samba Dance, Brass bands, Jazz bands and Animal Characters mixing up the fun. The Heartful Zipang Dance Night will also take place in the Kobe Bunka Hall.

For more information Tel: 078-331-2413

13th: OLYMPIC DAY RUN/WOA SPORTS CLINIC

The World Olympians Association (WOA) and its Asia-Oceania Regional Office will cooperate with Osaka City and JOC to host the Olympic Day Run and World Olympian Association (WOA) sports clinics on May 13th. This is an annual event where young and old alike can be and play like an Olympian. It is free to the public and located at Nagai Stadium. The Olympic Day provides the opportunity to interact with Olympians and share their Olympic experiences during the public runs of 1, 3 and 5km, followed by sports clinics. This environment also gives the Olympians a chance to act as ambassadors for the Olympic Movement and serve as role models to the many participating youth.

For more information, contact: osaka@woaoffice.org or www.woaolympians.com

JULY

27th onwards: OSAKA-JO SUMMER FESTIVAL

For the fourth year, the Osaka-Jo Summer Festival is returning. Taking place around Osaka Castle and OBP, various kinds of events are held by broadcast companies, Osaka Prefecture, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and others. Events include comedy performances and an International Children's Theater festival.

For more information contact yamanoh@osaka21.or.jp

AUGUST

11th & 12th: GREAT JAPAN BEER FESTIVAL by the Japan Craft Beer Association

If you love beer, particularly of the microbrew kind, then this festival is not to be missed! Never tried microbrew beer? Well, take this warning kindly: after trying some, you may never want to drink anything else again. The fifth "Great Japan Beer Festival in Osaka" will be held in Aura Hal at Umeda Sky Building West (10th Floor) on August 11th & 12th. Food and performances will be available to mix with your brews of choice. A couple of thousand people are expected to go this year so don't miss out!

For more information, including tickets: www.beertaster.org/ index-e.html or direct inquiries to: Japan Local Beer Association, Mr. Ryouji Oda (founder), Tel: 090-3488-7000, Fax: 0798-70-0912, Email: mail@beertaster.org

SEPTEMBER

KOBE YOSAKOI

Around Tarumi Port Pier Land, this free festival presents folk songs and dances from both Japan and abroad. Everyone is encouraged to join.

For more information 078-843-8849 (Japanese only)

OCTOBER

GROOVE HARVEST

Taking place at Namba Hatch, this popular event will satisfy your taste buds and tickle your eardrums. Enjoy many international dishes. There will be rock music, bossa nova, cultural performances like the Brazilian martial art Capoeira, salsa dancers, and hip hop dancers to name a few. This event is free.

For more information about exact dates 06-4391-3177

8th: WOA'S "CELEBRATION OF SPORT" OSAKA SPORTS FESTIVAL

This is an annual city-wide event encouraging all to participate in various sports activities offered throughout the city. It is on "Happy Monday" commemorating the success of the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. WOA organizes the cultural entertainment in addition to the sports clinics coached by Olympians both Japanese and from overseas. Last year it was held at Chuo Gymnasium and this season it will be there as well.

For more information, contact: osaka@woaoffice.org, or www.woaolympians.com

12th-14th: ASIA FESTIVAL

The Asia Festival will take place at Minatomachi River Place from October 12th to 14th. Past years have seen a plethora of Asian food, music and booths to browse through.

Contact FMCOCOLO for more information: www.cocolo.co.jp/index.html or 06-6615-7650

Stretching its way up Midosuji is the ever popular annual Midosuji Parade.

14th: MIDOSUJI PARADE

2007 marks the 70th anniversary of Midosuji Avenue. Last year saw 93 different groups participating and about a million people watching. Past events have seen floats, marching bands, baton twirlers, drum and fife bands, festival groups from Japan and foreign countries. This year, the parade will be divided into two sections: the Parade section and Omatsuri Hiroba (performance area) section. The parade is now open to citizens for participation but groups must apply by May 15th.

Please refer to the details at this site: www.osaka21.or.jp(Japanese only) or feel free to 06-6942-2007 (English).

21st: KOBE GLOBAL CHARITY FESTIVAL

Kobe Global Charity Festival, held on the grounds of the Kobe Club in Kitano-cho, usually on the third Sunday in October, is a multicultural event reflecting Kobe's unique cosmopolitan atmosphere. It features ethnic foods, fun shopping, all-day entertainment on stage, a children's fancy dress parade and games corner, as well as lotteries and bingo for which fabulous prizes are generously donated. KGCF has two main objectives. One is to help make a brighter future for underprivileged children in Japan and other Asian countries by raising funds for educational and other projects to support children. The other is to provide a forum where small non-profit organizations (NPOs) and community groups can introduce their activities to the public at large. KGCF is co-sponsored by the Kobe Club and organized entirely by volunteers.

For more information 078-793-2637

28th: UNI-CUL (UNITED CULTURES) FESTIVAL

Uni-Cul, at Seibu-Kodo this year, aims to create a place where people share their culture and where connections and sympathy between people arise beyond languages and nationalities. Any genre of performance such as singing, dancing, or music on stage and in the open is welcome! A multicultural market is set up with different wares. Look for the multicultural food stand village when you're hungry. Past examples of fare included a dumpling booth, Brazilian and Peruvian BBQ, Thai food, and fair trade food. Past events also saw a large art exhibition, information booths in multiple languages and the list goes on.

For more information, contact: Centre for Multicultural Society 075-353-7205, Fax: 075-353-7206, e-mail: unicul@tabunka.jp or www.tabunka.jp/kyoto/commom/katudo/kodomo/unicul.html

Text: Amanda Hare • Translation: Yun Ikoma, Wes Lang • Photos: KS