Through the “Heartbeat Project,” Kodo offers its support of recovery activities in the wake of the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake on March 11 last year. Under this project, this year Kodo has invited samba group OVO NOVO of Iwaki, Fukushima and their instructor percussionist Ryo Watanabe to perform on the Fringe at Earth Celebration.

Ryo Watanabe took part in EC for 10 years, teaching “Samba de Asobo” workshops from 1996. Since 2008 he has been teaching samba & art workshops in Iwaki City in Fukushima and enjoying exchange with locals there. We heard the members of OVO NOVO wanted to perform on the Fringe at EC and are pleased to welcome them as our guests. Please come along for their performance.

There is a collection for donations to help cover some of their stay on Sado through crowd funding* website “READY FOR?” and this will continue until August 17. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

OVO NOVO

Fringe Performance Time: Aug. 19 (Sun) 12:00 (TBC)

“Joining Sado’s International Performing Arts Festival & Fukushima with the Rhythms of Samba” Project Site (In Japanese)

*”Crowd funding” refers to gathering supporters online to pool resources and support a project initiated by another person or organization.

There are convenient tour packages on offer that will bring you to Earth Celebration. You can choose to depart from either Niigata Port or Naoetsu Port. Applications and information are available in Japanese only.

Details are available on the EC website in Japanese.

Check out some scenes from the EC 2011 Ogi Okesa workshop. There are still spaces available to learn the Ogi Okesa dance and flute part at EC 2012. We hope you’ll join the festive fun!

Workshop | Ogi Okesa Dance & Music

Get Involved, Take a Workshop!

To take part in a workshop, please see the page below.

Tickets and Event Applications

The second intake is only available for workshops with vacancies after the first intake. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Second Intake: July 16 (Mon) – Aug. 14 (Tue)

Event Applications | Workshops

Please check the workshop numbers below, and write the number along with the workshop name on your order form.

• (1) Taiko Games [Workshop Full]
• (2) Shinobue Class: Striving for Good Sound [Workshop Full]
• (3) Chieko’s Onna-uchi (Women’s Style Taiko) Basics [Workshop Full]
• (4) Voice Circle [Workshop Full]
• (5) Hachijo Daiko [Workshop Full]
• (6) Hiromitsu Agatsuma Lecture & Demonstration
• (7) Ogi Okesa Taiko [Workshop Full]
• (8) Ogi Okesa Flute
• (9) Ogi Okesa Song [Workshop Full]
• (10) Ogi Okesa Dance
• (11) Chappa Daisuki (I Love Chappa) [Workshop Full]
• (12) Hamakawachi Onidaiko
• (13) Miyake Taiko [Workshop Full]
• (14) O-daiko Workshop [Workshop Full]

Sado Island Taiko Centre instructor Shin’ichi Sogo a.k.a. Shinchan-sensei is going to hold Taiko Experience workshops on all three days of Earth Celebration! Elementary school students and preschoolers (when accompanied by an adult) are also welcome to join in the fun at these workshops for beginners. You can reserve your place in advance or sign up on the day if spaces are still available. There will be a special shuttle bus operating from Marine Plaza Ogi to get you there, so hop on, come along, and enjoy the vibrations of the taiko with your whole body.

Application Details

Dates & Times

(Each workshop is 1 hour long)
Aug. 17 (Fri) 10:00 – 11:00, 13:30 – 14:30, 15:00 – 16:00
Aug. 18 (Sat) 10:00 – 11:00, 13:30 – 14:30, 15:00 – 16:00
Aug. 19 (Sun) 10:00 – 11:00, 13:30 – 14:30

Venue

Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan)
*Shuttle bus for participants available from Marine Plaza Ogi.

Fee

Adults 2,000 yen, Children ages 6-11 1,000 yen
*Each preschooler must be accompanied by an adult. The adult and child will use one taiko drum together and one adult fee will be charged.

Capacity

25 people per session

Instructor

Shin’ichi Sogo (Shinchan-sensei)

Notes

This program is aimed at beginners. Workshop conducted in Japanese only.

Application Method

(1)  From July 21 (Sat) until 13:00 on Aug. 16 (Thu), please apply directly to Sado Island Taiko Centre by telephone, fax or email.

(2)  From 13:00 on Aug. 16 (Thu), please apply in person at the EC Info Centre (Marine Plaza Ogi). *Applications will close when each workshop reaches its capacity.

Inquiries & Bookings

Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan)

Tel. 0259-86-2320 Fax. 0259-86-2385

Email: info@sadotaiken.jp (English assistance available by fax or email)

We are pleased to announce a new 3-day transport pass for travel to & on Sado Island called “Tokimeki Sado Niigata Kankoken Pass.” This handy ticket can be used on buses in Niigata, for the ferry between Niigata and Ryotsu, and on the EC Liner buses.

Tickets are available from the “Free Area” at JR Midori no Madoguchi ticket offices and at View Plaza. For details (in Japanese), please visit the Sado Tourism Association website. http://www.visitsado.com/00sp/pass2012/index.html

Inquiries: Sado Tourism Association Tel. 0259-27-5000 Email: info@visitsado.com

Click here for Sado Kisen Ferry “Tertiary Student Discount Campaign” information.

The 2012 EC Supporters are now listed on our Japanese website. Thank you very much to all the people and organizations who support Earth Celebration this year.

EC Supporters (Japanese site only)

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

Inquiries & Reservations

Traveling to the EC venues in Ogi via local island buses takes approximately 1 hour 50 mins. from Ryotsu Port and 30 mins. from Akadomari Port. (It takes 5 mins. on foot from Ogi Port.) Island buses are infrequent so be sure to check the bus schedule before you make plans.

Island Transportation   [Update] Ogi – Sobama Special Shuttle Service timetable is on our website now.

Introducing Five Courses to Discover the Attractions of Sado Island

During EC this year, we will offer activities to explore the nature and history of Sado Island (Sado Experience Festival). Even if you have come to Sado Island before, there is sure to be more to discover on the island. Half-day and full-day courses are available.
*The guidance for all five courses will be in Japanese only.

Applications accepted from July 10.
*Applications can not be made by telephone. Discounts available for Friends of Kodo members.
All Courses: Travel included in fee. Participants must be aged 10 or over. [Primary school students (ages 10-12) must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian]

Kotoura Sea Kayak Experience
Kotoura is famous for its beautiful coastline, clear waters and diving spots. Take a paddle in a sea kayak to enjoy playing in the sea breeze. This program is recommended for lovers of the great outdoors.
Aug. 17 (Fri) 14:00 – 16:00
Aug. 18 (Sat) 10:00 – 12:00 / 14:00 – 16:00 / Aug. 19 (Sun) 10:00 – 12:00［Click here for details］

Osado Natural Giant Cedar Forest Walk
Enjoy a cool, refreshing walk in the forest on the Osado Mountain Range and see the Ishina natural cedar trees, which have been warped by strong winds and snow in the harsh winter season. A local Sado eco tour guide will lead the way.
Aug. 17 (Fri) 12:00 – 16:30
［Click here for details］

Ogi Peninsula Geo-Tourism
Historically, the Ogi Peninsula has been altered and eroded by changes in the earth’s crust. On this motorboat and bus tour, you’ll feel the earth breathing when you see the pillow lava and coastal terraces in Ogi, some of the Japan’s most precious formations.。
Aug. 18 (Sat) 10:30 – 13:00
［Click here for details］

Lecture: Shukunegi and Tsuneichi Miyamoto
Shukunegi Village is home to shipbuilders and a large Chinese junk sailing ship (sengokubune). Join young researchers and follow the footsteps of folklorist Tsuneichi Miyamoto, who realized the village’s structure and value early on. This lecture will be held at the retro-style former school building that houses the Ogi Folk Museum.
Aug. 19 (Sun) 9:30 – 12:30
［Click here for details］

Ogi Port Traditional Townhouse Tour
The Town of Ogi once flourished as the gateway to Sado from the Edo through Meiji periods. Put on a yukata (summer kimono) and step further in to discover the history of this early modern port and the local culture of the townsfolk.
Aug. 18 (Sat) 14:00 – 16:00
Aug. 19 (Sun) 13:00 – 15:00
［Click here for details］

Venue Map (Sado, Niigata)

Inquiries:

Applications accepted from July 10

NPO Shimamirai Tel. & Fax. 0259-81-4567 (Telephone assistance available in Japanese only)
Sado Experience Email Address: sado.taiken@gmail.com

Presenter: Sado Experience Festival Committee

Photos: Sado City Tourism Division, Sado Tourism Association