Bon Odori workshops by Odaiko Sonora coming up–

Thursday, Oct. 21, 5;30–6:30pm; Saturdays, Oct. 23 & 30, and November 6, 12:30–1:30 p.m.

“At these free community workshops, you’ll learn about Obon, the ancient Japanese Buddhist ancestor festival. A central part of the festival is the Bon Odori, or community dance. Obon dances are usually so simple you can learn the basic movements after only a few minutes of watching. Learn an original dance created by Odaiko Sonora specifically for Tucson’s All Souls Procession. Work with us to make a costume, and then join us in the Procession at 5pm on Nov. 7. Free. Donations welcome.”

For information, or to register email Karen Falkenstrom at karen@tucsontaiko.org. All classes are held at Rhythm Industry Performance Factory, 1013 S. Tyndall, and are open for observation.
This performance factory is located west of Park Avenue, north of 22nd St.

“Odaiko Sonora is Tucson’s premier taiko, or Japanese ensemble drumming group. Serving southern AZ since May 2002, Odaiko Sonora is dedicated to increasing familiarity with and understanding of taiko in our community. We do this for over 30,000 people each year through classes and master workshops, performances, school residencies, teambuilding workshops and by producing concerts by internationally acclaimed taiko artists.” (from their website)

I grew up dancing at Obon festivals (and still do) at the Jodo-shu and Hongwanji temples on the Big Island of Hawaii. These are very popular festivals open to all races & religious beliefs held on all the inhabited islands in the State of Hawaii (except Niihau). Dancers dressed in kimono or hapi coats dance around the yagura tower (decorated with lanterns, to light the way back home for the deceased). Taiko style drummers usually accompany the taped or live music. See photo below:

For more information about Odaiko Sonora, their taiko drumming or drum making classes, email them at info@tucsontaiko.org.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 21st, 2010 at 7:53 am and is filed under Arts, Life. Tags for this post: Bon Odori, Hawaiian bon dance festivals, Hongwanji Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist ancestor festival, Jodo-shu Buddhism, Karen Falkenstrom, Obon, Odaiko Sonora, Rhythm Industry Performance Factory, taiko drumming, Tucson's All Souls Procession. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.