Our pal, Christopher Fryman, is hosting a series of New Directions events at Urbanguild these days, and has asked me to help spread the word about the next show on July 9th. As Christopher is a pal, and the list of performers does look rather good, and especially as this will be a NON-SMOKING EVENT (!!!) I am very happy to oblige. First the details: Date: July 9th … [Read more...]
Pendulum – Japanese Traditional Music Course @ Kyoto Geidai; August 18-20
Alison Tokita is running an intensive 3-day course on Japanese traditional music at Kyoto City University of Arts, August 18th - 20th, 2015. This short-short course will introduce many of the genres of traditional Japanese music that have been transmitted to the present and are still actively performed. The course will also discuss the varied ways of experiencing musical … [Read more...]
A First View of Kabuki
My latest article for Inside Kyoto is about a visit to Kyoto's Minamiza Theater to see a kabuki show. Going to see kabuki is one of those things I have long wanted to do, but somehow I had never gotten around to - until now. I had strong doubts before going about whether I could enjoy it, as I knew that the language would be archaic and difficult to understand. In the event I … [Read more...]
Sanka’s Spring Ritual: A Mixed Media Performance by Ensō Watt @ Urbanguild; April 29th
The fourth and final part of the epic seasonal rites sequence by the experimental arts collective, Ensō Watt will take place at Urbanguild, Kyoto on April 29th. This is an event not to be missed! Date: Wednesday, April 29th Doors Open: 19:30 Show Starts: 20:00 Tickets on the door: 2700 yen Tickets in advance: 2000 yen Student Tickets: 1500 yen (all tickets include … [Read more...]
‘Introduction to Noh theatre’ begins at Impact Hub Kyoto this Spring
‘Introduction to Noh theatre’ by The International Noh Institute (INI) is a 6-session course at Impact Hub Kyoto, aimed at Kyoto residents, exchange students, or any other English-speaker who would like to take a closer look at Noh theatre’s tradition. Details at the LINK! … [Read more...]
Images from Velvet Moon Vol. 115
What a joy it was to see Sean Roe back in Urbanguild this evening - and for the first time in four years! And so much talent in tonight's show too! I was particularly impressed this time by two of the dancers: Misuzu and Chian. Watch out for them in the images and videos below. Mangrove Kipling Cozy (Colin Garvey & Yozy) みすず + 山崎昭典 … [Read more...]
Velvet Moon: Live Music & Dance @ Urbanguild, Kyoto; March 25th 2015
I'm very happy to report that our old friend Sean Roe will be returning to Urbanguild on March 25th as one half of the sound and video improvisation unit amallsのskcaj! VELVET MOON Vol. 115 DATE: Wednesday March 25th DOORS OPEN: 19:00 / SHOW STARTS: 19:30 ADVANCE TICKETS: 2000 yen with 1 drink / TICKETS ON THE DOOR: 2300 yen with 1 drink Here is the full line up for … [Read more...]
Parasophia: A Major Festival of Art & Culture in Kyoto Starts this Week!
Well, this looks interesting, doesn't it? Parasophia: Kyoto International Festival of Contemporary Culture 2015 March 7–May 10, 2015 Parasophia: Kyoto International Festival of Contemporary Culture 2015 is the first large-scale international exhibition of contemporary art to be held in Kyoto. Approximately 40 artists from around the world will participate in the … [Read more...]
Images from Sanka’s Winter Ritual
On January 25th I attended Sanka's Winter Ritual; a performance at Urbanguild by the mixed media collective Ensō Watt. Just as when I attended the Autumn Ritual in October, I was completely enthralled by the mounting energy of this show. It really is a treat to see talented artists from so many varied disciplines blending their abilities so successfully. Of course, it … [Read more...]
Sanka’s Winter Ritual: A Mixed Media Performance by Ensō Watt @ Urbanguild; January 25th
I am very excited to learn that Ensō Watt's Rite of Winter will be performed at Urbanguild on January 25th 2015! This is the third in Ensō Watt's series celebrating the 100th anniversary of Stravinski's Rite of Spring. I attended the Rite of Autumn in October and it was fantastic. Be prepared to be thoroughly immersed in a world of intense colours, poetry, music and … [Read more...]
Handel’s Messiah ~ The 50th Christmas Concert from Doshisha
Every year Doshisha University puts on a Christmas performance of Handel’s masterpiece, “Messiah”, at Kyoto Concert Hall and this year is the 50th! The annual All Doshisha Messiah Concert is hugely popular with members of the local community, as well as with the students, graduates, teachers and staff of Doshisha…. All the performers do their best to make it a Christmas to … [Read more...]
Bliki Circus Are Back on Stage at Urbanguild on December 18th!!
After a two year hiatus - Bliki Circus are back! Bliki Circus is an acoustic gypsy/punk group in Kyoto, Japan. Their music is reminiscent of traditional folk music from Japan, Eastern Europe and Russia, spiced with touches of Klezmer, tango, jazz, rock, and punk, and whatever else comes up. If you have seen Bliki Circus before, you know you are ensured a great night out! … [Read more...]
Pictures from Sanka’s Autumn Ritual by Ensō Watt
I am now officially a fan of Ensō Watt! Last Friday's performance was excellent and I enjoyed every minute of it. With musicians posted in various corners of Urbanguild, and Yannick Paget both conducting and performing with hypnotic percussion from the center, we were fully immersed in a landscape of sound. Simultaneously the live video art of Andy Couzens and Masato Tokumaru … [Read more...]
Sanka’s Autumn Ritual by Ensō Watt – Mixed Media Experimental Event @ UrbanGuild; October 10th
Well, this looks like something... ensō Watt Sanka's Autmn Ritual from PollenRec on Vimeo. Thanks to Marguerite Paget for sending the following information: Kyoto Experiment Fringe program 2014 presents the artist collective: Ensō Watt at UrbanGuild from 7.30 pm, October 10th Initiated in 2014 by the sound designer Samuel André, the Ensō Watt artist collective … [Read more...]
