Iwami Kagura A Great Success!
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the organizations who cooperated with us on the performance of Iwami Kagura we hosted on September 15 and 16. Both performances were sold out, and audiences were delighted with what they experienced.
On September 14, the evening before the public performance, the Consulate hosted a reception and mini performance of "Orochi" and displayed kagura costumes and props at the Consul General's official residence.
We invited a group of Georgia State representatives, including Tom Taylor, Lynne Riley, and Delvis Dutton who were responsible for getting the Georgia State Assembly to adopt a resolution to support Japan on the one year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake; Mike Berlon, chairman of the Georgia Democrats, who assisted the Consulate during our participation in the Democratic National Convention, which was held in Charlotte in early September; Rachel Van Buskirk, a Japanese-American dancer for the Atlanta Ballet, who performed "Wabi Sabi" this past June at the Atlanta Botanical Garden; Josh Rosenfield, the marketing manager of Midtown Art Cinema, which hosted a screening of the film "Kiseki" (Miracle) also this past June; other guests from performing arts venues around Atlanta; members of the Consular Corps; and neighbors of the Consul General to enjoy a powerful performance of "Orochi."
Ms. Van Buskirk, a dancer herself, asked, "Is there a Kagura role that I could perform?" Rachel, whose mother is Japanese, had a great deal of interest in kagura and floated the idea that the kagura troupe perform next year with the Atlanta Ballet.
On September 14, the evening before the public performance, the Consulate hosted a reception and mini performance of "Orochi" and displayed kagura costumes and props at the Consul General's official residence.
We invited a group of Georgia State representatives, including Tom Taylor, Lynne Riley, and Delvis Dutton who were responsible for getting the Georgia State Assembly to adopt a resolution to support Japan on the one year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake; Mike Berlon, chairman of the Georgia Democrats, who assisted the Consulate during our participation in the Democratic National Convention, which was held in Charlotte in early September; Rachel Van Buskirk, a Japanese-American dancer for the Atlanta Ballet, who performed "Wabi Sabi" this past June at the Atlanta Botanical Garden; Josh Rosenfield, the marketing manager of Midtown Art Cinema, which hosted a screening of the film "Kiseki" (Miracle) also this past June; other guests from performing arts venues around Atlanta; members of the Consular Corps; and neighbors of the Consul General to enjoy a powerful performance of "Orochi."
Ms. Van Buskirk, a dancer herself, asked, "Is there a Kagura role that I could perform?" Rachel, whose mother is Japanese, had a great deal of interest in kagura and floated the idea that the kagura troupe perform next year with the Atlanta Ballet.
IWAMI KAGURA MUSICIANS
IWAMI KAGURA PERFORMERS
Guests began lining up to get tickets two hours before the performance on September 15, which ended up being sold out. Attendees included Consul General of Brazil Ambassador Hermano Riberio; Morihiko Nakahara, Conductor of the South Carolina Symphony Orchestra; Nao Omura, violinist for the Augusta Symphony Orchestra; Travis Joshua, principal of Lindley 6th Grade Academy, which hosts the Georgia Japanese Language School; directors of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia; Shohei Kawakubo, who worked as an intern at the Consulate last March, who was accompanied by his mother; and Anri Suzuki, who is currently assisting the Consulate, who was also accompanied by her family.
During the performance on September 15, which included the pieces "Ebisu" and "Orochi," the performers and audience became one - with the audience enthusiastically shouting for joy and giving the performers a standing ovation. The performers were very moved by the reaction of the audience.
After the performance, Ambassador Riberio, who had spent four years in Japan, commented, "Congratulations on a very successful event! It's very important, especially for children, to experience with the five senses the unique rhythm of Japanese culture, its sense of color, and how the Japanese express emotion, in order for it to truly sink in."
0n the 16th, "Orochi" was performed for an audience which included many children. The performance was followed by a workshop where audience members were invited on stage to try dancing while wearing the serpent costume and other costumes used in kagura. The children were given gifts of kagura pins and candy, for which they were very grateful.
To publicize this event, the Consulate made many posters and flyers and distributed them to restaurants and apartment complexes throughout midtown. Luckily, we were able to get the support of the Georgia state government, as well as Atlanta City Hall, Additionally, the following Japanese restaurants, which often publicize the Consulate's events, assisted us in getting the word out: Sushi Hayakawa; Nakato; Tomo; Joli Kobe; Taka Sushi and Passion; Circle Sushi; Blue Fin Sushi; and Tomato. We are very grateful for their support.
The Consulate planned this event as a way to express our appreciation to the people if Atlanta for their sympathy and support after last year's Great East Japan Earthquake. During WABE 90.1 FM's show "Weekend Preview," Betsy Riley, editor of Atlanta Magazine, expressed this to host Lois Reitzes. Lois replied, "It is a very gracious and elegant way of thanking Atlanta." We are very grateful for her kind words.