Bon Odori Dance Class Tuesday July 13, 2021 7p.m.~8p.m. Streaming from the Japanese Cultural Center.
Join the FREE virtual class and learn with Yoshinojo Fujima Sensei, assisted by Ikunojo Fujima, both of Shubukai. We are honored to be collaborating with Kimiei Fujima Sensei from Shizuoka, Japan and Ageha Bijou Sensei from the Nihon Bon Odori Association to learn four bon odori:
Shizuoka Meguri, Shizuoka Ondo, Tanko Bushi, and Tokyo Ondo.
Bon Odori is made for people to come together and express their joy, respect, and feeling of community; to feel a connection with their ancestors and with everyone.
One does not have to be a professional dancer, the dances are simple and fun! Make sure to Register for the July 31 Streaming Event! it is also FREE!
A Bon Festival ( or Obon Matsuri) occurs during the hottest part of the summer when it said that distance the natural and supernatural world is the smallest. People then come together to remember those that have passed on or where lost as a community. Traditionally, a specific regional style of dancing and music is performed by those in attendance to welcome spirits.
Our hope is to use the festival as an opportunity for our community to heal and process the tremendous loss and damage the COVID-19 pandemic has caused through the arts.
The Bon Odori Association of Japan, Asian Improv aRts Midwest, and Shubukai’s Fujima Yoshinojo will be helping to support this important new event. Fujima Sensei is also a resident artist of the Japanese Arts Foundation and instructor at the Japanese Culture Center, and we will be hosting virtual Bon Odori dance lessons on 3 Tuesdays leading up to the Bon Fest, so everyone can participate from the convenience of their own home.