TsukuBlog

I attended the first lesson of the Beginner Square Dance Classes (April to July) in Tsukuba last night. The Tsukuba Square Dance Club has been in existence for more than 25 years and it shows! They are an extremely well-organized group with a very large number of members (almost 70).

I went last night with the intention of just watching, but that was really not an option! As soon as I arrived, one of the members took my hand and led me onto the dance floor. Many people made a special effort to come and talk to me and ask me where I was from and how long I had lived in Tsukuba. Everyone made an attempt to speak to me in English, even if it was not perfect English.

Some of you may not be familiar with square dancing, but you really don’t need to know anything to join these classes. The lessons start from the absolute beginning and don’t assume that you have any knowledge of square dancing. Also, square dancing involves a “caller” who tells everyone what to do during the dances, and all of the “calls” are in English. The instructions are often in Japanese, but the Japanese members of the group offered to translate for the foreign people. It is also easy just to watch what other people are doing.

I can’t say enough about how friendly the people were and how well-organized this group is. If you are having trouble finding ways to make friends with local Japanese people, I strongly recommend that you get involved with some sort of group or club that will effectively “force” people to interact with you. The Tsukuba Square Dance Club has a long history of welcoming foreign residents and I don’t think you could find a more friendly club to join. The next round of 15 lessons started yesterday, but they might still allow people to join from the second class (Saturday, April 14).

I am a bit busy these days, so I don’t know if I will be able to continue to attend every lesson, but I definitely want to try. Hope to see you there!

See: Tsukuba Square Dance Club

============

February 2008 Update: I did end up continuing with the classes and have thoroughly enjoyed myself since that day back in April 2007 when I thought I would just show up, take a few pictures, and leave. I highly recommend this activity to anyone who thinks they might enjoy some good, clean fun with some lovely, warm-hearted people. Tsukuba Square Dance Club is one of the most welcoming groups of people I have ever met, and they are always happy to accept new foreign members. If you are thinking about joining, but you are not sure, just come for the first class and see if you like it.

I finally found some information about tap dance classes in Tsukuba!

There is a group called “Planet-N” that meets on the first through fourth Mondays of the month at a studio called “Gallery Yuu” (see map links below) in the Sakura area of Tsukuba. The classes on the first, third, and fourth Mondays are held by a teacher who comes in from Tokyo. The class on the second Monday is for individual practice. There is no class on the fifth Monday. Classes start at 7pm and officially go until 8:30pm, but apparently they tend to go past 9pm on a regular basis. They accept newcomers at anytime.

The lessons cost 9500 yen per month. It is possible to take a trial lesson for 2500 yen (only available once). You can also observe the class once for free.

Location:
Gallery Yuu
Ueno 700-5, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0002
029-857-5629
Google Map, Mapfan Map

Directions: Go to Sakura Technopark. At the first intersection past Kawachi and Yuuhodo Bookstore (the intersection with the eyeglasses store on the left), turn left. At the fifth intersection, turn right. Go up a little hill and you will see the studio on your left. (Look for the sign that says ギャラリー遊.) It is in a house that is set back from the road. Parking is available on the right.

This information is from the Tsukuba Piazza bulletin board. If you are interested in finding out more information about the classes, please respond to the person who posted the original message (or contact TsukuBlog and we will put you in touch with the teacher).

I went to observe the class last night and it looks fun. The teacher is really energetic and enthusiastic and he is happy to accept absolute beginners. If you are looking for a way to get some exercise and learn a new skill, this might be an activity to consider.

Happy dancing!

Tsukuba Square Dance Club will conduct an American Square Dance beginner class. Square dancing is a lot of fun, involving both rhythmic movement and a bit of puzzle-like brain work. It was originally an American folk dance, but in the last 30 years has been considerably altered to its modern form, which is now quite popular all over Japan, as well as in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Come on and join the class!!

Period: April 7 to mid-July, 2007
Time: 19:00 to 21:00 ; every Saturday evening
Place: Takezono Kominkan (Takezono Public Hall)
Fee: 2,000yen (single), 3,000yen (couple) for 4months
Bring: Indoor-only shoes
Contact: HANDA: hank[AT]olive.ocn.ne.jp, KUDO: kkudo[AT]sannet.ne.jp

I joined the Tsukuba Square Dance Club last April and found it to be really fun. The club is going to start its beginner class again in April of this year and they have asked me to announce the class to the foreign members of the community. The Tsukuba Square Dance Club has been in existence since 1981 and it is an extremely well-organized group.

I can personally vouch for the classes being a lot of fun. The members are extremely kind-hearted and welcoming, and they are always delighted when a member of Tsukuba’s foreign community joins. Most of the current members are Japanese, but the square dancing calls are all in English, and some of the members have excellent English and will offer to help you if you can’t understand what is happening. I think that most people have the impression that square dancing can only be done to country and western music, but that is not the case. The callers can choose whatever kind of music they like, so we get a range of music styles including oldies, dance music, celtic music, and even enka!

If you don’t have any plans on April 5th, please come and join us for your first square dance lesson in Japan!

Here is the information on the classes.

=====================

Tsukuba Square Dance Club offers an American Square Dance beginners’ class every April. Square dancing is a lot of fun, involving both rhythmic movement and a bit of puzzle-like brain work. It was originally an American folk dance, but in the last 30 years it has been considerably altered to its modern form, which is now quite popular all over Japan, as well as in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Come on and join the class!!

* Period: April 5 to mid-July, 2008
* Time: Saturday evenings from 7pm to 9pm
* Place: Takezono Kominkan (Takezono Public Hall)
* Fee: 2,000yen (single), 3,000yen (couple) for 4 months
* Bring: Indoor-only shoes
* Contact: HANDA: hank[AT]olive.ocn.ne.jp, KUDO: kkudo[AT]sannet.ne.jp

See also:
Tsukuba Square Dance Club website
My impressions from the first time I attended a square dance class in Tsukuba

Tsukuba Walking and Mountaineering Club (TWMC) is celebrating its 10th anniversary. If you like to go out and get some exercise on the weekends, and especially if you like walking and hiking, you should definitely consider joining this club.

The club has a mailing list where the members announce the upcoming walks. Recently, the 2008 Summer and Autumn Walk Schedule was announced. They organize various walks for people of all levels of fitness, so you will be sure to find one that suits you.

For more information about the club, please contact one of the members.

The announcement by
TWMC, Tsukuba Walking and Mountaineering Club.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hello!

This is the hike annoucement you’ve been waiting for - for all ages and
abilities!!

On April 6, Sunday, we will go to Amabiki-san and Kaba-san with two walk options. The walks will start or/and end at Amabiki Temple which is worth visiting any time. It has a nice garden with peacocks roaming. You can see priests/monks in colorful robes. There is a Sakura festival starting there from 5th.

Option 1:
From Amabiki Kannon (temple) to Amabiki-san and back, at a very comfortable pace. It will be wonderful time to view Sakura blossoms.
Total time ~ 3 hours at a comfortable pace.

Option 2:
This is for the more fit - climb Kaba-san from Kaba-san jinja
and walk over and down to Amabiki temple. Total time ~5 hrs.

Bicycling option:
If some of you would like to bicycle upto Kaba-san.

Meeting place:
We will meet at the usual 7-11 near Doho park, next to Hot-Stuff (near Andersen bakers at the corner)

Meeting Time:
7:30 AM.on April 6 (Sunday), 2008

What to bring:
lunch, water,…. No special shoes required for Option 1, sports shoes will do for Option2.

Let me know of your interest soon. And since we will be going by cars,
please let me know if you have a car.

Alok

ref:
TWMC, Tsukuba Walking and Mountaineering Club
http://eve.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp/twmc/previous_walks/2006_04_Kaba-san/Kaba-san2006.html
http://eve.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp/twmc/previous_walks/2005_04_Hokyo/Hokyo2005.html
::::::::::::::::::::::::::