Thursday, June 30, 2011

Review of today's performance at the Queens Library


Today's program at the Windsor Park branch of Queens library was full with children. They had so much fun with the demonstrations of dance and music. They even demanded more dance after the program had ended, so I gave them an extra dance workshop today. Each time I get to perform at the Library, I get to find new frineds. Today's surprise was to meet with an Okinawan lady who said she lived in the neighborhood. The Okinawan lady came with her daugther. I was so happy to meet with them and they seemed enjoyed the program very much. My program is scheduled as adult education, but the children loved the program.  Dance is so international, it doesn' t really matter, children just like dancing. Each child who joined the dance workshop came to me and hugged me in the end. I wonder if they'll dream tonight of dancing. Good night! 

本日のレクチャーも無事終了しました。たくさんの子供たちが参加してくれて喜んでもらったようです。私の90分間沖縄舞踊音楽プログラムは大人用なんですが、お子さんに大うけです。子供はどこの国の子も同じです。プログラム終了後もまた踊りを教えとねだってくる子供さんが大勢でした。近所に住むうちなーんちゅのご家族も親子ずれで参加してくださいました。なんとも嬉しいことやら。本日も智佳さんには司会担当、そして三線演奏で百名節を演奏していただきました。すばらしい演奏と歌声でした。智佳さん大活躍でしたね。ありがとうございました。参加者の皆さんも大変にお疲れ様でした。それではおやすみなさい。



Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Preview of the program on June 30th


This is preview of the program of lecture and demonstration of Okinawan dance and music at Windsor Park branch, Queens Library, starts at 6:00 pm on June 30. I also will offer a dance workshop.
Please join us.

1. Ryuka ( 琉歌) Song for welcoming audience

2. Dance:
  • Yotsudake (四竹 ) Classical (Court) dance
  • Agi Chikuten Bushi (揚竹田節) Classical (Court) dance
  • Kanayo (加那ヨー) Popular (Zo) dance

3. Music:
  • Hyakuna Bushi (百名節 ) Classical song
  • Chinnuku Jyushi (ちんぬくじゅーしー ) Folk song
  • Kunjyan Jintoyo (国頭 ジントーヨ) Folk song
  • Paradise Urumajima (パラダイスうるま島 ) Folk song

4. Dance Workshop


Windsor Park branch:
79-50 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 718-468-8300
Admission is free. http://www.queenslibrary.org/

See you there!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Program at the North Hills Library

Thank you for all coming to my program today.


Many people joined the program, even though it was held during the middle of the afternoon in the middle of the week. It was quite surprising that a lady who joined the program said that she used to be stationed in Okinawa and made Okinawan dolls there, and she was excited to see the Okinawan dance and costumes that reminded her old life in Okinawa. I am so happy to meet people who have lived in Okinawa, and to share their stories.

After the program was completed, a Chinese man asked me whether I performed Okinawan dance as a professional; I told him "yes." He said my movements in Numui Kuduchi were very similer to Chinese martial arts. I was delighted to hear this kind of wonderful comment, and to have the audience react so very nicely.

Today, Ms. Satoka helped my program as a host, and she also joined me in playing the Sanshin at the end of the program. We sung Kunjan Jintoyo and Asadoya Yunta together. Thank you, Tomoka san, so much for helping my program today.

クイーンズ図書館でのレクチャー・デモンストレーションプログラムは一年ぶりの開催でしたが盛況でした。週中しかも昼間のプログラムにもかかわらず大勢の人たちが参加してくれてとりあえず満席。皆さん踊りも歌も楽しんでいただけたようです。

本日は、智佳さんが司会担当そして三線でも共演してくださり本当に助かりました。感謝感謝!

6月30日(木曜日)は夕方6時からWindsor Branchで開催予定ですので、お近くのがたがたは是非ご参加ください。

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Program for Lecture & Demonstration



This is preview of my program of tomorrow's lecture and demonstration of Okinawan dance and music at North Hills branch, Queens Library, starts at 1:30 pm. See you there!

  • Ryukyuan Poem: (琉歌)Celebration of the event
Dance:
  • Yotsudake: (四竹)Female court dance
  • Nubui Kuduchi: (上り口説)Male court dance
  • Kanayo: (加那ヨー)Female popular dance
Music:
  • Aha Bushi: (安波節)Classical song
  • Tsundara Bushi: (つんだら節)Folk song
  • Kunjan Jinto-yo: (国頭ジントーヨ)Folk song
  • Asadoya Yunta: (安里屋ユンタ)Folk song
North Hills branch:
5704 Marathon Parkway, Queens, NY 11362

Monday, June 13, 2011

TV Tokyo WBS Program

去る日曜日に千葉市に住む親友から、「先週木曜日の夜のテレビ東京のワールド・ビジネス・サテライトという番組にラリーさんが出ていました、知っていますか。この番組は、テレビ東京(昔の東京12チャンネル、今は地デジになって7チャンですが、)で、毎日夜11時から放送している日経新聞がスポンサーの人気番組です。特にサラリーマンに人気があります。何か、ロボット産業について話したと聞いていますか?」という内容のE-MAILが届いた。日本で親友の一人が番組を見てくれていたことは嬉しい。WBS番組:http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/wbs/

My husband Larry Fisher was interviewed by TV Tokyo two weeks ago, for a program called "World Business Satellite," for which he talked about trends and developments in the field of Robots. This weekend I received an e-mail from my old friend in Japan saying, "I saw Larry on the TV Tokyo trendy program, did you know that"? I knew that Larry was interviewed for a TV program that would air in Japan, but I don't know any details of the broadcast, other than that it wouldn't be broadcast in the US. I was so surprised that my old friend saw the program, and happy that he let me know.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Okinawan dance and music performance in Colorado

Colorado Okinawan Kenjinkai (Association) will be offering a stage performance in Castle Rock, Colorado, on Saturday, June 11th, to celebrate the organization's 37th anniversary . The performance program incorporates a broad array of Okinawan performing arts, including classical dance, popular dance, classical songs, folk songs, a martial arts "sword dance," musical comedy and taiko dance. Some Tamagusuku Ryu Ryukyu Dance School members from Okinawa, and US-based Miyagi Ryu Nosho-kai Ryukyu Dance School members will join the program.
Please join the celebration!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Okinawan Performing Arts

I would like to inform you all about Okinawan performing arts today, as a preview of my upcoming lecture and demonstration program which will be held at the Queens Library this month.

There are six types of Okinawan performing arts:

1. Kumi Odori (組踊):Kumi Odori is a classical musical drama blending of music, dance and literature. Kumi Odori was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Asset by the Japanese government in 1972, and was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Kumi Odori is performed mainly by the member of the Kumi Odori Association and the masters of the traditional dance schools.

2. Dance(舞踊): Classical dance performance goes back 14th century. There are three types of Okinawan dance  - Court dance (Classical dance), Popular dance and Modern dance. Okinawan classical dance and popular dance were designated an Important Intangible Cultural Asset by the Japanese government in 2009.

3. Folk Dance (民族舞踊):The source of all Okinawan dance, traditional folk dance dates back to the 600s. Folk dances evolved from the ceremonial arts used by priestesses to express appreciation to the gods in the spirit of prayer. Eisa dance (エイサー)is a part of the genre of folk dance.

4. Sanshin Music(三線音楽): There are two types of sanshin music - classical songs and folk songs.
Okinawan classical song was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Asset by the Japanese government in 2009.

5. Okinawan Plays (沖縄芝居): Okinawan plays date back to 1875, to the period of abolishing Ryukyu Han and establishing Okinawan prefecture.

6. Martial Arts(武道): Karate (空手・唐手)originated as a traditional martial arts in Okinawa. Other martial arts developed there include the use of Sai, Bo, Nunchaku, Kama and Tonfa, etc.,

My 90-minute program includes a classical dance, a popular dance, a modern dance, classical and folk Sanshin music. I start the program by singing a Ryukyuan-style poem which is similar in style to the Kumi Orodi, which also was sung by Priestesses as a prayer to the gods to welcome their guests and enjoy the performance.

Please join me.

Schedule of demonstrations and lectures at the Queens Library:

June 16th (1:30 pm - 3:00 pm) North Hills branch
57-04 Marathon Parkway, NY 11362

June 30 (6:00 pm - 7:30 pm) Windsor Park branch
79-50 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11364