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).
Announcing TV Programs Featuring Earth Celebration
Kodo and Earth Celebration will be featured in the following television broadcasts. If you are in Japan, we hope you will tune in.
“Earth Celebration 2012″
This programme will introduce the three days of Earth Celebration 2012.
Date & Time: September 2 (Sun) 16:00 – 16:58
Broadcasting Station: NST Niigata Sogo Television http://www.nsttv.com/ (Japanese site)
“Eco no Saho: Ashita no Utsukushii Ikikata e” (The Manners of Ecology: Towards a Beautiful Way of Living Tomorrow)
This program shows discoveries about Japanese traditional culture through the eyes of foreigners living in Japan. Kodo and Earth Celebration will be introduced on this program.
Date & Time: August 31 (Fri) 22:00 – 23:00 *Repeat Broadcast: September 14 (Fri) 22:00 – 23:00
Broadcasting Station: BS Asahi http://www.bs-asahi.co.jp/sahou/eco.html (Japanese site)
Numerous items were handed in to our “Lost & Found.
Numerous items were handed in to our “Lost & Found.” If you lost something at EC this year, please email the Earth Celebration Committee. Replies will be sent from Aug. 31 on.
Earth Celebration Committee
UPDATE: 2012/08/20
Categories: News Topics
Thank You for Joining Us for Earth Celebration 2012
Earth Celebration 2012 has come to a close. Thank you to all the people who joined us for the festival. In 2013, Earth Celebration will be held August 23 (Fri) through 25 (Sun). We hope you’ll join us again next summer on Sado Island.
*Details about EC 2013 will be announced in May 2013.
If you would like to contact the Earth Celebration Committee, please do so by leaving a message on the answering machine, or send us a fax or email. Please note that you may not receive a reply until September. Thank you for your understanding.
Earth Celebration 2012: Shiroyama Concert “Shukusai” Guest Artist Hiromitsu Agatsuma
At this year’s Earth Celebration, we will welcome one of Japan’s leading shamisen players, Hiromitsu Agatsuma, to the Shiroyama Concert “Shukusai” on August 19th. Kodo performed with Agatsuma at a concert in May 2011 and we have felt connected ever since. We both play instruments used to “beat a rhythm,” both share Japanese traditions with the world, and we are performers from the same generation. In March this year, Agatsuma came to Sado for preliminary rehearsals for Earth Celebration 2012, and the echoes of our collaborations began to reverberate on Sado. We asked Hiromitsu Agatsuma and our own Tomohiro Mitome to share some of their feelings and experiences with our readers regarding the upcoming collaboration in August. (From Kodo eNews Vol. 31 July 2012)
Contemporary Echoes of Traditions
Shamisen Player Hiromitsu Agatsuma
I knew that it would not be easy for me to jump in and perform with the Kodo members, because they spend their daily lives together, travel together, and create together. I took part in rehearsals with them on Sado Island in March, and of course the music didn’t work perfectly right from the get go. But with time and practice, the taiko and shamisen, both deeply rooted in Japanese culture, began to resonate together naturally and echo in harmony. Of course there are fundamentals that overlap in Japanese instruments in terms of the groove and timing, but I think it was Sado that gave me that certain something… it was the first time in my life I’ve had that feeling. I’m personally really looking forward to spending many more hours on Sado Island with Kodo, and seeing what will come to life from that experience.
At Earth Celebration, I’ve also been given the opportunity to hold a lecture. I plan to talk about my activities to date, my feelings about the attraction and possibilities of the Tsugaru Shamisen and Japanese traditional music. I’ll also do a short performance during the lecture. I am looking forward to seeing you all this summer on Sado Island.
From Kodo Ensemble Leader Tomohiro Mitome
Our rehearsals with Hiromitsu Agatsuma in March were really rewarding. He joined in on the Kodo pieces that we decided to collaborate on, beginning by matching the tone. Then one after the other different melodies would come forth, like using different paints to make all kinds of new colors, strong ones and subtle ones alike. I greatly admire the work and time he put into this, allowing no compromise, to refine the collaborations on traditional pieces.
Shamisen and taiko were both originally instruments used for accompaniments, but over time they have come into the limelight on stage. Mr. Agatsuma has collaborated with people from various genres, and I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of music he will create with Kodo. The heart of our activities, exploring the possibilities of Japanese traditional music, is the same, even though we play different instruments. In the great outdoors on the Shiroyama stage, we want to share that energy with you all.
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
Hiromitsu Agatsuma Lecture & Demonstration
On the second day of EC, Hiromitsu Agatsuma will hold a lecture and demonstration. It’s a great opportunity to listen to him speak and perform up close.
EC-Related Event | Music Together Workshops
Music Together
Music Together is a music and movement experience for children aged 0-6 and their parents or caregivers. It’s designed to develop musical ability in all children, young and young at heart! Come and join us for a musically rich activity aimed at the growing number of families at Earth Celebration who bring their kids along. It is our hope that by participating in this workshop you can add a hands-on fun and musical family activity to your experience at Earth Celebration!
For further details about this early childhood music and movement program, please visit the Music Together website. Music Together
Instructor Profile
Yasuyo Minoura
Yasuyo Minoura has a wealth of experience as a Music Together (MT) instructor from offering MT workshops for over eight years to children and their parents, mainly in Nagoya. She also pours her passion for making music into drum circles and has been a drum circle facilitator for four years now. This summer, she is looking forward to enjoying “Music Together” with everyone at Earth Celebration.
Workshop Details
- Dates & Times
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- Aug. 18 (Sat) 12:00 – 13:00
- Aug. 18 (Sat) 15:00 – 16:00
- Aug. 19 (Sun) 10:00 – 11:00
- Venue
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Rito Centre 1st floor Senior Citizen’s Research Room
- Participation Fee
- 1,000 yen per child, 500 yen for additional siblings in same age range.
- Capacity & Requirements
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12 children per session, ages 8 months – 6 years. All children must attend with a participating guardian.
- Instructor
- Yasuyo Minoura
- Notes
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Workshop conducted in Japanese & English
Inquiries & Reservations
Yasuyo Minoura (Workshop Instructor)
- Email:
- yasuyominoura@gmail.com
Shiroyama Concerts: Day One Kodo “Opening Night” – Celebrating Diversity -
At Earth Celebration (EC) 2012 on August 17, the Shiroyama Concert “Opening Night” will kick off the festival with Shogo Yoshii making his debut as artistic director. We asked him about the kind of festival atmosphere he wants to create and share at EC this year.
Islands.
When I use the word “Island,” I’m not necessarily referring to a land mass surrounded by water, but rather the idea of an island, something that has some distance between it and other entities.
This gap arises from both geographic and human factors. Sometimes it can feel like a barrier, but the things cultivated inside this isolated domain have a special individuality, and that fascinates me.
Depending on how you look at it, earth is one island, the five continents are islands, a country is an island, there are politically defined islands, and individuals are all unique islands.
I think the key to EC is to value the unique identity of each of these different “islands,” or in plain words, to praise diversity.
In think on this, the word “Glocal” came to mind. Combining “Global” and “Local,” it is an interesting word that bring the micro and the macro together; I think suits Kodo really well.
For the festival’s “Opening Night,” I want to create a performance where the individualities of each performer come to life and allow each of them to enjoy playing in the most natural way, without pretense.
I feel that Earth Celebration will truly begin when we create a diverse “island” in Shiroyama Park and share it among everyone there.
This year at EC we will welcome our main guest artist, shamisen player Hiromitsu Agatsuma, and as well as singer Anna Sato from the Amami Islands who will appear on stage for “Opening Night.” Also joining us on Sado to lead taiko workshops are Hiroo Asanuma from Hachijo Island and Akio Tsumura and his sons from Miyake Island’s Kamitsuki Mikoshi Taiko. I’m excited just thinking about all these esteemed guests.
I have the great responsibility of taking the reigns for the artistic direction for the first performance at the 25th Earth Celebration. While I am nervous at the thought of this undertaking, I also intend to enjoy this challenge to the fullest.
Shiroyama Concert Kodo “Opening Night” Artistic Director Shogo Yoshii (Kodo)
Shogo Yoshii’s idea notebook. He links keywords that come to mind and his vision takes shape.
Shiroyama Concerts | Entrance Order Colour Card Distribution
All seating in Shiroyama Park is general-admission, outdoor seating on the lawn. In order to make things smoother for everyone at the concert entrance, Entrance Order Colour Cards are distributed prior to each concert, and card-holders are admitted to the venue according to the colour on their card.
- Distribution Times:
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Aug. 17 & 18 (Fri/Sat) 9:00 – 17:00
Aug. 19 (Sun) 9:00 – 15:30
(Distribution will end when all cards are gone.)
- Distribution Place:
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Kisaki Shrine
- Obtaining your Entrance Order Colour Card:
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You must show your ticket or voucher for that day’s concert to receive a card.
- Notes:
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*There are “Elementary/Junior High School Student Entrance Order Colour Cards” available for ages 6-14. No ticket is required, so please just ask for the number of cards you require. (Ages 5 & under do not require a ticket or colour card.)
*Only one Entrance Order Colour Card will be granted per ticket. One person may receive up to a total of five Colour Cards, whether for ticketed adults or free admission school children. (We may increase this number when the queue is short.)
Info on “Entrance Order Colour Cards”
*We will prepare 1200 Entrance Order Colour Cards and will stop distribution when all cards are gone.
*Before the venue opens, please assemble in numerical order in the appropriate line at the time shown on your Entrance Order Colour Card.
*We will check your concert ticket as you enter the venue. Please have it ready in hand with your Colour Card. (You cannot enter the venue using only your Entrance Order Colour Card.)
*Entrance Order Colour Cards are not required for entrance, but those without cards will be admitted to the venue last. If you have time during the day to drop by Kisaki Shrine, we recommend picking one up so you are not kept waiting when the gates to the venue open.
*If you arrive at Kisaki Shrine after your assigned assembly time, please come to the Kisaki Shrine Reception Tent and you will be guided into the venue.
UPDATE: 2012/08/17
Categories: News Topics
To Earth Celebration Participants Traveling to Sado Island
Ferries to Sado Island may be cancelled due to high waves. Please check the weather and Sado Kisen Ferry updates before you set off on your travels.
Sado Island Weather Forecasts
Japan Meteorological Agency (English site) http://www.jma.go.jp/en/yoho/323.html
Yahoo! Weather (Japanese site) http://weather.yahoo.co.jp/weather/jp/15/5440.html
Sado Kisen Ferries Operation Updates
http://www.sadokisen.co.jp/WebService/
Shiroyama Concerts will be held in the event of light rain. However, if the presenter deems the concert cannot be held safely outdoors, the concert will be canceled.
Shiroyama Park offers free seating directly on the park’s lawn. The lawn can get damp from dew or rain so we recommend bringing a ground cloth or plastic sheet to sit on.
Practical Info | About Shiroyama Concerts
/ecguide/#c02
A Message from Shiroyama Concert Kodo “Opening Night” Guest Artist Anna Sato
Anna Sato, a singer from Amami Oshima, will join Kodo for Kodo “Opening Night,” the Shiroyama Concert on Day 1 of EC 2012 on August 17 (Fri). Traveling from one island to another, the clear echo of Ms. Sato’s island vocals will ring out from Sado this summer. Don’t miss this special occasion!
A Message from Singer Anna Sato
Shiroyama Concert Kodo “Opening Night” Guest Artist
I am honored to be able to take part in Earth Celebration for the first time, especially for this year’s milestone 25th anniversary. I hope that the music created together with both Kodo and the audience will speak to the hearts of everyone present. I expect that the shimauta (island songs) passed down to me from generations past in my home of Amami will deepen my bond with you all. With these hopes in my heart, I look forward to letting my songs echo out across the vast, unspoiled nature of Sado Island.
Anna Sato Official Website (in Japanese): http://www.pacificmoon.com/anna/
Profile:
Anna Sato
Anna Sato has been singing Shimauta (island songs) from the age of three. She learned the songs of Amami from her grandfather, a unique musical education that led her to win many Shimauta contests. She began her music career in Tokyo from the age of eighteen and has released seven CDs to date. In July 2011, she garnered worldwide recognition for her performance at the World Gymnaestrada in Switzerland, and she is now an official vocalist for Cirque du Soleil. Most recently, in March of 2012, she appeared in the Okinawa International Asia Music Festival.
EC Goods On Sale Now!
To commemorate EC’s 25th anniversary, we’ve prepared t-shirts featuring the very first EC logo by illustrator Seitaro Kuroda. There will also be a colorful array of t-shirts and bags on sale featuring illustrations by Hideaki Masago. Please note that there are a limited number of each design for sale, so we recommend buying your favorite items sooner rather than later.
Shop Locations:
EC Official Shop (Marine Plaza Ogi 2F), EC Info Tent (at Harbour Market), Shiroyama Concert venue