Sunday, July 31, 2011

Wander and wonder: July 30th butoh in SJG...

by aleks

Music and dance all through the Garden:

SJG 7/30/11 • Kaoru Okumura
SJG 7/30/11 • Lin Lucas
SJG 7/30/11 • Joan Laage


SJG 7/30/11 • Maureen "momo" Freehill

SJG 7/30/11 • Douglas Ridings

SJG 7/30/11 • Sheri Cohen
SJG 7/30/11 • Dean Moore (gong)
SJG 7/30/11 • Michael Shannon
SJG 7/30/11 • John Bisbee
SJG 7/30/11 • Joan Laage & her assistant
SJG 7/30/11 • Consuelo Gonzalez
SJG 7/30/11 - How they get HIM to perform?

Friday, July 22, 2011

Japanese Center in Krakow

by aleks

In medieval city of Krakow, Poland, across the Vistula River from the Wawel castle,  there is a center of Japanese art and culture.  Downstairs exhibition hall has photographs of Japanese Zen and Tea gardens + a small two tatami mats tea house.  Upstairs is filled with different items of Japanese culture - historical and contemporary:  from clothes, warrior sword and uniforms, through woodblock prints, books, dolls, ceramics to contemporary flowers.  I took some illegal photos (photos were allowed, but no flash - i tried to turn the flash function off, but it didn't work, and it flashed each time) - will post them as soon as I reunite with my computer....

The center has also a small gift shop where i bought a book of Basho's haiku in Polish and a restaurant, with surprisingly authentic Japanese food (I suppose some ingredients are hard to find or substitute).

here is the web address of manggha in Krakow, Poland, and a few pics stolen from the web:
Japanese Center manngha in Krakow, Poland
Wikipedia on manngha museum.

Distorted image of Wawel castle reflected in manngha window

Saturday, July 16, 2011

WANDER AND WONDER: 3-6 pm., Saturday, July 30

By Monzie

Dancers and musicians will perform from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, July 30, at the Seattle Japanese Garden.  There will be 14 venues throughout the garden, inspired by its scents, sounds, sensations and sights.  Come wander and watch as they spontaneously react minute-by-minute to all the garden's sensory stimuli.

A Garden Surprise, photo by Natalie Suyenaga  

Look for these spirits in plain sight and in secluded nooks.  We're encouraged to stop and linger as long as we like with each performer!  Wander and Wonder is the inspiration of guide Joan Laage (Kogut) and sound artist Suzie Kozawa.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Reminder: Continuing Education Meeting July 21

Traveling the Tokaido Road Then and Now is the topic of the program from 10:30 to 12 noon, Thursday, July 21 in the Tateuchi Community Room.

Megumi Kobayashi, president of the Japan-America Society  will give the presentation, using archival material to illustrate the historical importance of the road from Tokyo to Kyoto and traditions from the Edo era, such as sumo and kabuki.  See you there!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Can you blog or send pics re: Tanabata or Garden Party?

by aleks

I will be traveling in July and, sadly, not present for two big joyful Garden events in July: Tanabata on 7th and Garden Party on 22nd.  Our regular contributors, Monzie  and Lynnda will also be away, so we hope somebody will either write a short blog entry and/or send pics to file on this blog - please forward your writings/pics either to Lynnda or Monzie.

• Here is a schedule for SJG Tanabata on July 7th:

For the first time, we are collaborating with the Wing Luke Museum during Tanabata. Between 1-5 p.m., there will be a variety of performances at each institution with a free shuttle between each location. 

1:00-1:10 Welcome
1:15-1:30 Storytelling by Carlos Xavier
2:00         Garden tour by Unit 86
3:00-3:30 Kabuki Academy performance
4:00         Garden tour by Unit 86
3:50-4:20 Minakami Karate Dojo Demonstration
 
Schedule of Tanabata Events at the Wing
1:00-1:10 Introduction
1:15-1:45 Chado Urasenke Tankokai Seattle Association Tea Ceremony
2:00-2:20 Koto performance by Marcia Takamura, et al.
4:00-4:15 Storytelling by Carlos Xavier

ATTENTION: Origami practice for Tanabata (for Guides) is July 6, 10-12, Tateuchi Room.


• And here is a reminder about July Garden Party on June 22nd:

I hope somebody records those events for the blog.