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 … [Read more...]
JunKroom Special Event on 17th February
Sean says... JunKroom will be holding a special event on Thursday 17th February at Urbanguild on Kiyamachi Dori in central Kyoto. We are very honoured to have Alexander Rishaug, Espen Sommer Eide (Phonophani) and Sigbjorn Apeland, 3 great artists from Norway participate in this event as part of their Japanese tour. This will be their only appearance in Kyoto. In addition we … [Read more...]
Pictures from Ur食堂LIVE!
Just some pictures and three videos from Wednesday night at Urbanguild. There was a good and fun crowd of people there (free entry might have had something to do with that) and excellent performances from Mitsu Salmon, ryotaro, Nadia Porcar, trace elements and Dodo. Here are the pictures: And here are some horribly pixellated videos (that's why they are so small). Not … [Read more...]
International Love Cabaret Returns!
The first event I attended at Urbanguild, just over a year ago was International Love Cabaret, hosted by Mitsu Salmon. Back then I was ushered into a world of gold painted ladies, butoh and contemporary dance and knock down rock. It was a revelation and Urbanguild quickly became my favorite events venue. Each event though has its own special appeal so I am very happy to … [Read more...]
Pictures & Videos from Resonance 2010
Undoubtedly the best show I have seen at Urbanguild - or indeed in Kyoto, Resonance 2010 was an extraordinary collaborative display of pure gold shiny talent by the dancers, singers and musicians who took part. A big bravo to them all and to the organiser Daniel Rosen for creating this unforgettable event. My only regret is that I didn't go both nights and my only complaint is … [Read more...]
Resonance 2010: “Reflections”
...a one-night multimedia celebration of sight and sound... ...a stellar cast assembled for the sole purpose of creating new fusion and forms, this year's Reflections promises to be a music/dance/art that defies definition and engenders new expressions... RESONANCE 2010 First Ted Taylor sent me a link to this event and then I get this message from Mitsu Salmon: This … [Read more...]
Living Arts Vol. 3
Our friend Mitsu Salmon has sent some details about the Living Arts event at Urbanguild this Wednesday (July 7th). "Flamenco dancer Begona and guitarist Javier from Spain are visiting Japan to collaborate with the Butoh master Ima Tenko. They are doing a piece in memory of Kazuo Ohno`s passing. Also in the evening is Chris Cobilis from Australia. Singer/songwriter Misa … [Read more...]
Mitsu Salmon & ryotaro’s “Restaurant Gig”
I managed to catch the tail-end of Mitsu and ryotaro's performance at Urbanguild on Tuesday evening. Here it is: I think ryotaro needs to come out of the dark and show us all his handsome face! Spotlight please! Mitsu and ryotaro will be performing next at The "Not A Word" Dinner Show on the 18th, and are also organizing another event (details to follow!) for the 7th of … [Read more...]
Mitsu Salmon’s “Restaurant Gig”
Mitsu says... I am performing this Tuesday at Urbanguild. It is a special event or experiment because it is primarily music and in a restaurant setting, so people can come and go as they please anytime between 8 to 10 or so. But it is a FREE SHOW which is rare for me. I am also performing at Urbanguild 6/18 at Ben's event, and on 7/7. Then I am traveling for all of July and … [Read more...]
Dance! Dance! Dance!
While I was away the glorious Mitsu Salmon wrote to tell me about a couple of events she has coming up: The Peacock Boat By Ima Tenko and Kiraza March 20 and 21 at 7pm March 21 and 22 at 3pm The piece draws from the symbols of the peacock as a powerful creature able to overcome obstacles and the boat as the means to hope. These images are metaphors for lives of the … [Read more...]
Kanso
Sean Roe invited me out to this place ages ago. "￥380 a beer," he said. Very hard to resist. So I went. And here's what I found: Kanso is a bar, and an art installation combined. Its concept can be roughly summarized as drink x cans = fun The art here is nothing precious, consisting as it does of cans. Big cans that you sit at like tables and walls of cans to dazzle … [Read more...]
Images from I.L.C. V.5 + News from JunKroom V.14
Here are some pictures and a video from Sunday night's International Love Cabaret. Unfortunately, I had to leave early and only saw half of the acts. Here however, are some arresting images from Sanae Kuroko's dance. And here is a rather grainy video of Mitsu Salmon (who you can mostly see) and ryotaro (who you mostly can't see) - and not the whole performance mind you, but … [Read more...]
International Love Cabaret V. 5
It's time again to let down your borders and share in the love! Mitsu Salmon wrote to say that the next (and eagerly awaited) installment of her ongoing magical, musical, dance-tastic extravaganza, International Love Cabaret, will be held at Urbanguild on Sunday January 17th. In her own words I.L.C. is... … [Read more...]
