EC 2012 25th Anniversary Website Preview!
Earth Celebration 2012
The stunning nature of Sado Island sets the stage for Earth Celebration, an international performing arts festival which seeks a new world culture. This year marks the festival's milestone 25th anniversary, and we've prepared a lineup that highlights the amazing natural and cultural treasures of Sado Island. Join us to soak up the summer sun in the garden of Earth Celebration, August 17 (Fri) – 19 (Sun).
News
- New May 14, 2012
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The 25th Earth Celebration
Earth Celebration (EC) began in 1988 as a celebration of the opening of Kodo’s homebase, Kodo Village, on Sado Island. In the Kodo Village prospectus, we expressed our feelings regarding Sado Island as follows:
“Originally mankind was part of nature, breathed with nature, lived together with her. Since we settled on Sado Island, nature's voices-- the songs of birds and insects in the fields, the whisper of the trees in the wind, the sound of the waves breaking on the rocks-- have seeped inside us, unseen. They have become the starting point for our creativity. We remain with Sado as the base for our lives because there is space for both nature and us to live together.”
It’s hard to believe a quarter century has passed since then, but this year marks the 25th anniversary of EC, a true milestone for the group and for all of you who have helped make the festival what it is today. We invite you to create this year’s EC with us, exploring the full potential of this festival as we consider the significance of holding it on Sado Island where EC first began.
At the main events, the Shiroyama Concerts, Kodo will perform three different performances on an outdoor stage surrounded by Sado’s natural splendor. We will invite Hiromitsu Agatsuma, who continues to explore both tradition and innovation through the Tsugaru Shamisen, and together we hope to make the sounds of Japan resonate across the globe.
This year, there will be a special stage set up in the bustling Harbour Market, with performances by Kodo and a rich array of other artists adding color to the “garden of Earth Celebration.” The workshop lineup will offer both past favorites as well as new opportunities for participants to experience the history, nature, and culture of Sado Island.
I hope you will all come to create your very own Earth Celebration experience. We look forward to seeing you again this year.
EC Executive Producer Atsushi Sugano
(Kodo Cultural Foundation Managing Director)
- New May 10, 2012
Shiroyama Concert Latest News -
- This year the Shiroyama Concerts welcome special guest shamisen player Hiromitsu Agatsuma. The Kodo members will open the festival on the first night, the second night will feature a special EC version of Kodo “Dadan” directed by Tamasaburo Bando, and the whole festival will have diverse programmes for EC’s 25th anniversary. This year's high-energy performances are certain to make the sounds of Japan resonate out all around the world!
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- Aug. 17 (Fri) Open: 17:15 / Start: 18:30
- Kodo “Opening Night” (Artistic Director: Shogo Yoshii (Kodo))
The first Shiroyama Concert is titled “Opening Night,” and marks the first time for Kodo’s Shogo Yoshii to take the reigns for the artistic direction. Designed to be a performance where the audience and performers feel as one, Opening Night will warm up the festival for the 25th anniversary celebrations. Join us on the first night for opening festivities and to christen EC 2012 in style.
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- Aug. 18 (Sat) Open: 17:15 / Start: 18:30
- Kodo “Dadan” EC Special (Artistic Director: Tamasaburo Bando)
“Dadan” features rigorously trained drummers pushing themselves to their physical and mental limits. This year the performance received great acclaim during four sold-out performances at Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet. After rocking the European performing-arts scene, the cast is more powerful than ever as they prepare to debut the performance outdoors in a special programme at EC. Come and watch the young taiko players drum non-stop, set against the stunning natural backdrop of Shiroyama Park.
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- Aug. 19 (Sun) Open: 15:45 / Start: 17:00
- “Shukusai” Kodo with Hiromitsu Agatsuma (Artistic Director: Yuichiro Funabashi (Kodo))
Kodo met shamisen player Hiromitsu Agatsuma last year during their domestic travels, and that fated encounter led to this concert, their first collaboration. Both taiko and shamisen are instruments used to “beat a rhythm,” and the bold and subtle interweaving of their sounds will meld at the celebration finale. This collaboration between artists from the same era, all of whom use traditional Japanese instruments, will mark a new step for Earth Celebration on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The captivating sounds of Japan will be transmitted from Sado Island across the globe.
- New May 10, 2012
Fringe Lineup -
- The Fringe stage is a free venue where Kodo and various artists can share some of their own artistic expressions. There will be a special stage set up in the bustling Harbour Market, which offers delicacies and crafts from around the world. Experience all the market has to offer, complete with live music performed on a seaside stage. With special Kodo ensemble performances, Sado performing arts, and acts by the general public, there’s going to be a full lineup. There will be performances throughout the day as well as at night after the Shiroyama Concerts. Come find out what the Fringe is all about!
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- Ikkan Fugetsu
- Motofumi Yamaguchi (Kodo)
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- Miyake Taiko
- Miyakejima Geino Doshikai
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- Hanayui
- Chieko Kojima (Kodo), Yoko Fujimoto (Kodo) & Mitsue Kinjo (Okinawan dance) with Yoshikazu Fujimoto (Kodo), Motofumi Yamaguchi (Kodo), Ayako Onizawa (Kodo)
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- Hachijo Daiko
- Hiroo Asanuma (Raccokai)
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- Yoi no Yunzuru
- Chieko Kojima (Kodo) & co.
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- Ogi Okesa
- The local people of Ogi
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- Sado Performing Arts
- Tachibana Onidaiko, Akadama Hanagasa Odori, Hamakawachi Onidaiko, Kasuga Ondeko
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- Seeking Fringe Performers
- We are looking for performers who would like to share their expressions on the Fringe stage. Applications accepted from May 10 (Thu). We look forward to hearing from potential performers.
- Apr. 27, 2012
Seeking Harbour Market Stall Holders -
- Harbour Market is host to a wide range of stalls selling food & drinks, clothing, handicrafts, accessories, etc. It’s the place everyone comes to kick back, connect with friends and meet new people. Located right in Ogi Port Park overlooking the ocean, Harbour Market is in many ways the heart of EC. Why not open up your own stall this year and be a part of the magic?
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- Date & Times:
- Aug. 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun), 2012 10:00 - 23:00
*Lights out daily at 23:00 sharp
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- Venue:
- Ogi Port Park
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- Set Up a Stall at Harbour Market!
- Please check the stall holder information listed at the link below, then apply using the form provided.
* Application Period: Apr. 20 (Fri) – June 11 (Mon)
- Harbour Market Stall Holder Applicant Info & Form
- Apr. 14, 2012
Workshop Lineup (Titles TBC) -
- One of the goals of Earth Celebration is to foster mutual understanding through shared experiences. Our aim is to make EC a festival not just to observe, but to actively participate in as well, so our workshops have a place at EC as important as the Shiroyama Concerts. Workshops provide participants with the opportunity to play music on taiko drums and other instruments, make handicrafts, and experience the magic of performing folk arts from all over Japan, not to mention the vibrant traditional arts of Sado Island. This year there are also several workshops on offer by the Kodo members themselves. (Workshop applications will open on June 1 (Fri).)
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- Let's Drum!
- O-daiko Workshop (Instructor: Yoshikazu Fujimoto (Kodo))
Chieko's Onna-uchi (Women's Style Taiko) Basics (Instructor: Chieko Kojima (Kodo))
Taiko Games (Instructor: Eiichi Saito (Kodo))
Miyake Taiko (Instructor: Miyakejima Geino Doshikai (Tsumura & Sons))
Hachijo Daiko (Instructor: Hiroo Asanuma (Hachijo Daiko Raccokai))
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- Let's Sing!
- Voice Circle (Instructor: Yoko Fujimoto (Kodo))
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- Let's Dance!
- Ogi Okesa Dance & Music (Instructors: Ogi Sazanamikai)
Hamakawachi Onidaiko (Instructors: Young People of Hatano & Kawachi)
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- Let's Try Something New!
- “Chappa Daisuki" (I Love Chappa) (Instructor: Kazuki Imagai (Kodo))
Shinobue Class: Striving for Good Sound (Instructor: Motofumi Yamaguchi (Kodo))
- Apr. 14, 2012
Harbour Market -
- Stall applications will begin earlier than usual this year, from April 20 (Fri).
- Mar. 29, 2012
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- The Shiroyama Concerts, EC's main performance events, take place up on the hill in Shiroyama Park's lush green surroundings. For the 25th anniversary we are preparing a lineup of unique concerts that feature Kodo in three distinctly different programmes. (Shiroyama Concert tickets go on sale June 1, TBC.)
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Aug. 17 (Fri) Kodo Dance Night / Artistic Director: Shogo Yoshii (Kodo)
Aug. 18 (Sat) Kodo "Dadan" EC Special / Artistic Director: Tamasaburo Bando
Aug. 19 (Sun) "Shukusai" Kodo with Guest Artist Hiromitsu Agatsuma / Artistic Director: Yuichiro Funabashi (Kodo) - "Dance Night" has been held at Harbour Market to date, but this year we are taking the action up the hill to the main Shiroyama Concert stage. Earth Celebration 2012 is going to be sizzling hot from the very first beat.
- In February this year, Kodo "Dadan" rocked the European performing- arts scene with four sold-out shows in its foreign debut at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. At EC, "Dadan" will be performed as a special programme, outdoors for the first time. Don't miss the young Kodo men in this bold exploration of pure non-stop physical percussion on the Shiroyama stage!
- Kodo and shamisen player Hiromitsu Agatsuma were instantly inspired to collaborate after their first meeting last year. Both Kodo and Agatsuma base their music on traditional Japanese instruments and share their unique sounds with audiences abroad, so this year's high-energy collaboration is certain to resonate around the world. You won't want to miss this exciting EC finale!
- Hiromitsu Agatsuma
Shamisen Player
Hiromitsu Agatsuma was born 1973 in Ibaraki, Japan. He began studying the Tsugaru Shamisen when he was just six years old and went on to win one competition after another, earning him high praise in the traditional Japanese music world. Agatsuma continues to explore both tradition and innovation through the Tsugaru Shamisen. His unique approach to the fusion of Japanese traditional instruments with Western music always receives high acclaim, and his collaborative work with global artists include Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, and many others. - Hiromitsu Agatsuma Official Website
- Harbour Market in Ogi Port Park is popular for its ethnic feel and eclectic line up of stalls selling foods, crafts and unique items from around the world. This year, Harbour Market will also house the Fringe stage, a free venue where EC guests can share some of their own artistic expressions. You'll see the Kodo Fringe, Special Fringe, and general performances all right here in the open market. Watch, eat, laugh, and have a wonderful time at Ogi Port Park!
- As always, we are planning a colorful array of workshops and events offering experiences unique to Sado Island! (Details to be announced in May)
Shiroyama Concerts (Official titles TBA May 2012)
EC Highlight 1
Firing up EC with Kodo Dance Night on Day OneEC Highlight 2
Special EC Version of Tamasaburo Bando's Kodo "Dadan" in Shiroyama ParkEC Highlight 3
Collaboration with Special Guest Hiromitsu AgatsumaShukusai Guest Artist Profile
EC Highlight 4
Fringe Stage Joins Forces with Harbour MarketEC Highlight 5
- Mar. 29, 2012
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- The Earth Celebration 2012 Official Website will be updated continually as new information becomes available.
