Katsura Kan Buto Workshop & Performances

Dance is the original behavior of the body.
Dance is before or beyond words.
Dance is play with the human form.

In this intensive workshop, Katsura Kan will share ideas about dance choreography through his “Matrix”. This is not a butoh class or lesson. Instead, it is an opportunity to do cooperative research about a “strange object”…..THE BODY.

Our friend Bridget Scott says…

April is a busy dance month for me. Not only do I have a nihon buyoh performance on Saturday but also I am busy organising and participating and performing with my first butoh teacher, Katsura Kan. It was after seeing a butoh performance by Katsura Kan in 1989 that I was inspired to enter the world of dance. I was a member of his group “Katsura Kan and Saltimbanques” for 5 years. We performed all over Kansai as well as having a tour in Java and Seoul. My work with Katsura Kan was seminal in my development as a dancer. Since 1997, Katsura Kan has been based outside Japan, performing, choreographing and giving workshops around the world. So, this April we have a rare chance to enjoy his performance, intensive workshop and choreography.

Here is the schedule:

9th April 7:30pm: Dance Relation#1 at Urbanguild Kyoto A night of various butoh dancers including Katsura Kan

14th-17th April: Katsura Kan’s Intensive Butoh Workshop Explorations in Butoh Choreography

17th April 7:30pm: Dance Relation#2 at Urbanguild Kyoto

A night of performance inspired by the intensive workshop

23rd,24th April: Despite Spring at Yamada Bokojyo, Shiga

Musicians and dancers directed and choreographed by Katsura Kan

29th,30th April: Despite Spring at Lespace, Kyoto

Musicians and dancers directed and choreographed by Katsura Kan

For more details click on the flyer below. Contact details are below that.

For more information about workshop contents, contact Katsura Kan directly at: <kanbutoh@yahoo.co.jp>

To reserve a place in the workshop, contact:

•Bridget Scott: e-mail<bridgetscottnow@hotmail.com> tel. 080 3853 4162
•Mitsu Salmon: e-mail<lightsake@gmail.com>; tel. 080 4242 5404

Place: Balina Studio near Tofukuji Station

Qualification to participate: You must be able to walk by yourself. Stage experience is not necessary. Bring clothes which are easy to move in. A reservation is necessary.

You can view videos of Katsura Kan’s performances here.

Thanks to Bridget and also to Mitsu for this information!