TsukuBlog

When:
May 29, Thursday, from 2:30pm to 5:00pm
Venue:
University of Tsukuba 30th Anniversary Hall

Program:
14:45
Welcoming address/ Palabras de bienvenida por autoridad de la Universidad.

14:55 to 15:25
Lecture by ambassador Daniel D. Polski/ Conferencia del Sr. Embajador de la Republica Argentina Daniel D.Polski
Lecture title: “Argentina‚ key drivers for sustainable economic development”/ “Argentina: Factores Claves del Desarrollo Económico Sustentable”
　　　　　　
15:35 to 16:00
Argentina tango evening/ Demonstration and lesson by Luna de Tango Company, Demonstracion y clase de tango a cargo de “Luna de Tango Company.”

16:00 to 17:00
Social gathering/ Let’s talk about Argentine

Please contact Sugimoto at 029-853-6785
or visit the following page for details:
http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/hall/20080521140055.html

Program:
http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/up_pdf/20080521140055001.pdf

There is a beautiful full moon tonight. Just as it SHOULD be for the O-Bon festival, but RARELY IS. Since the Japanese have switched over from their old lunar based calendar in 1873, it has been very uncommon for the 15th of August (or July in Tokyo) to actually fall on the 15th of the lunar month (which is a full moon). This year is one of those rare years, and it has provided extra atmosphere to the various BON related events going on tonight around Japan. These are mostly BON-ODORI community dance events. Until the early decades of the 20th century, BON-ODORI were danced in most communities around here, but were most famous (for their bacchanalia) on Mt. Tsukuba. For some reason ALL of these dance events including those on the mountain have gone the way of the Japanese ibis (toki), and by that I mean “disappeared”. Maybe it was the BAWDINESS of the Tsukuba-san events which lead to their doom (after the puritan western influence of the Meiji years)?

There was an interesting event which took place tonight that included Bon dancing, as well as professional Enka entertainment and a unique rain invocation ceremony. I’m talking about the Karakasa-Mando at Niihari’s Washi Shrine. I have been there before but unfortunately could not make it today (even though I came back from Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine today intending to go to Niihari). It is a perfect place to experience a small village summer festival, swarthy night-air with the girls in colorful yukata, lots of food stalls, festival music (hayashi) and plenty of speeches.

My first time at that event I had really wanted to get a good seat for watching the Karakasa, a kind of giant tanabata decoration, which when lit, sizzles like a roman candle. I found a good spot, sat down, and waited for the big moment. I waited and waited, in the dark. My eyes grew accustomed the lack of light and my pupils probably expanded to there limit. When the fuse was finally lit and the Karakasa burst into life, I was completely and painfully BLINDED. After the few seconds it took to adjust my eyes, the Karakasa had burned itself out. I didn’t see anything! I could do nothing but laugh at the absurdity of having waited so long in anticipation. If you want to have a look (and listen) though, see this page.

As I said before I spent the day (as I usually do on August 15th) at controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where tens of thousands passed through in the PULVERIZING HEAT to pay their respects to the soldiers who have fallen in Japan’s wars since the Meiji Restoration (1868), with special emphasis on WWll, since it was on this day that that war ended.

I have many amazing things to tell and lots of pictures as well, but its been a very long day and you probably don’t want to hear about it until tomorrow.

OYASUMI

I’m sorry for short notice, but Contemporary Dance Performances by the members of Contemporary Dance Association of Japan will be held in Tokyo tonight and tomorrow night. One of the performers, Yuriko Arima teaches dance in Tsukuba. She offers lessons in English for those who don’t speak Japanese. It doesn’t look like it’s been updated for a while, but here’s her dance studio website: R Dance Club

2007 時代を創る　現代舞踊公演
(Direct translation would be something like “Contemporary Dance Performances that shape the time 2007” )
September 4, Tuesday and 5, Wednesday
Doors open at 6:30pm, and performances begin at 7:00pm
Venue:Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space Medium Hall (English)
Tickets: 3500yen

There is an active Salsa club in Tsukuba (appropriately named “Salsa en Tsukuba”) and it offers classes and/or workshops almost every week. Here is the schedule for March 2008.

Saturday, March 8
Salsa Class
6:30pm to 21:30pm
Kasuga Kominkan

Sunday, March 16
Salsa Party
7pm to 10pm
Backyard Cafe and Antique

Saturday, March 22
Salsa Class
6:30pm to 21:30pm
Kasuga Kominkan

Sunday, March 23
Salsa Workshop by Ken
1pm to 3pm
Kasuga Kominkan

Salsa Class
3pm to 5pm
Kasuga Kominkan

These events are open to people of all nationalities, ages, and levels. Absolute beginners are welcome, as are veterans. Classes are held on the second and fourth Saturdays at Kasuga Kominkan. Also, a salsa party is held on the third Saturday (usually at El Torito or Backyard Cafe).

For more information:
salsa-tsukuba[AT]104.net
http://blog.so-net.ne.jp/salsa-en-tsukuba/

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 dancers to perform in a dance event called Dance Souseiki 2008 on May 21, Wednesday. Yuriko Arima and one of her students who goes to the city elementary school will be performing.

Project Nao Presents
Dance 創世記(Souseiki or “Genesis”) 2008

When:
May 21, Wednesday
First performance starts at 3pm (doors open at 2:30pm)
Second performance starts at 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm)

Venue:
Kitazawa Town Hall in Kitazawa, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo

Tickets:
4500yen (advance ticket: 4000yen )

Contacts:
Project Nao at 03-3476-0526 or you can call Yuriko Arima at 029-850-3667. She speaks fluent English. Advance tickets are available at R-Dance Club, Yuriko’s school, in Inarimae (MAP).

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