Japan Festival of the Arts

JAPAN FESTIVAL of the ARTS
(appropriate for grades 5 and up)

WHEN: April 18, Friday, 10 am to 11:15 am

AT: Univ. of Massachusetts in Amherst
Bowker Auditorium

COST: adults $8, students $6

INFO and EVENT DESCRIPTION, at www.umass.edu/fac/calendar/asian/events/AFestival1.html:
An exciting show that introduces the Japanese traditions of art and aesthetics as well as contemporary culture through dance, music and film for the young and youth in our schools.

The first part of the performance unfolds in a theatrical presentation of Japanese cultural and artistic traditions by the Kitanodai Gagaku Ensemble from Japan. Like turning the pages of a book, the artists will display each specific cultural activity scene by scene. This unique approach will provide an overview of the artistic and visual beauty of these ceremonies such as the tea ceremony, the masked Bugaku dances, the Gagaku court music and instruments and more. Thus highlighting the way Japanese people respect and honor their traditions.

The second part of the show will feature Masayo Ishigure in "Music of the Koto"

Masayo Ishigure is a virtuosic musician on the Japanese koto whose repertoire spans a wide range from Japanese music to Bach to jazz, and whose technical skill on the Koto expands the traditional Japanese instrument into an instrument of universal expressiveness.

Ranked among the best in music circles in Japan and America, Ms. Ishigure has performed with Yo-Yo Ma, Itzak Perlman and John Williams, just to name a few of her outstanding engagements in venues around the world.

IMAGE BELOW from www.umass.edu/fac/calendar/asian/events/AFestival1.html