Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009

Traditional arts in focus at Osaka noh theater

Yamamoto Nohgakudo Theater in Chuo Ward, Osaka, is organizing a series of shows featuring traditional performance arts with English, Chinese and Korean subtitles on Aug. 15, Sept. 5 and 19 and Oct. 3 and 17.

The shows will last from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. and include an audience participation segment for three volunteers who will be invited to take the stage for a lesson in some of the arts.

The Aug. 15 show will feature "kyogen" (a comedy play), bunraku, "ozashiki asobi" (traditional games with geisha), and "rakugo" (comic storytelling). The Sept. 5 show will feature performances of "kodan" storytelling, noh, kyogen and rakugo. For information on the Sept. 19, Oct. 3 and 17 programs, check out the Web site at kamigata-night.com/ (in Japanese).

Tickets are available from Agency Pia (P-code 393-960) or can be bought at the venue for ¥3,500 to ¥4,500. Servings of "okowa" (steamed rice) and green tea are included in the price.

The venue is Yamamoto Nohgakudo Theater, which is about a five-minute walk from Exit 4 of Tanimachi 4-chome Station on the Tanimachi subway line.

For tickets and more information, contact the organizer at (06) 6943-9454 or send an e-mail message to ticket@kamigata-night.com

Sky Building to hold early sunrise openings

The observatory at the Umeda Sky Building in Kita Ward, Osaka, will hold special early morning openings on Aug. 9, 16 and 23.

The observatory on the 40th floor of the building, which is normally open from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., will be open from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. so visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the sunrise.

Admission to the special sunrise viewings is ¥500 for adults, ¥300 for junior and high school students and free for elementary school students and younger kids.

The skyscraper is about a 10-minute walk north of JR Osaka Station.

For further information, contact the organizer at (06) 6440-3855.

Five-day event brings Latin America to Kyoto

The Kyoto City International Foundation will hold a Latin America-themed event from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Wednesday to Aug. 9.

The events will include an exhibition of paintings with an Amazon theme by Kyoto-based Brazilian artist Walderedo De Oliveira, and readings of a Peruvian picture book in Spanish on Saturday and of a Brazilian picture book in Portuguese on Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. An Andean music concert will also be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission is free, and no reservation is required.

The venue is the gallery on the second floor of the Kyoto City International Foundation, which is about a six-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai subway line.

For more information, contact the organizer at (075) 752-1187.

Okinawa folklore tunes to be performed in Suita

A concert of Okinawan folklore music will be held on Aug. 7 in Suita, Osaka.

The concert, featuring traditional Okinawan music, folklore music from Okinawa's Yaeyama Islands and "eisa" (folk dances), will be held as part of Suita Citizens' "Heiwa no Tsudoi" peace gathering event.

The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. at the May Theater, which is near Suita Station on the Hankyu Senri Line. No admission or reservations are required.

For further information, contact the Suita Interpeople Friendship Association at sifa@mail.infomart.or.jp

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