Japanese Classical Music and Dance Come to Logan and USU

Traditional dancers and musicians from Japan will offer a rare glimpse of a unique art form in a Logan appearance. The performance, “In the Spirit of Kabuki: Japanese Classical Dance and Music,” is Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the Performance Hall (approximately 1090 E. 675 North) on the Utah State University campus.

“The performance is certainly a first for Cache Valley,” said Atsuko Neely, a faculty member in the department of languages, philosophy and speech communication. “Performers of this caliber are seen only rarely outside of Japan.”

 

Performance time is 7 p.m. and the doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free for students with ID and $5 for all others. Children under 8 are not admitted. Tickets are available at the door or call Neely at (435) 797-1365.

 

The performance is presented by the Hanayagi Mitsugi Kai, a group of classical Japanese dancers and musicians directed by Ms. Yuko Wada of Global Culture Nasu, Japan. A classical dancer and musician herself, she founded the troupe, which has performed around the world. The company is made up of eight prominent musicians and dancers and represents a variety of traditional performing arts.

 

“The Logan program, organized around an Autumn Festival theme, will range from instrumental music (Shamisen, a three-string instrument; Tsuzumi, a handheld percussion instrument; and Fue, a Japanese flute) performance to classical dance and acrobatic entertainment.”

 

In addition to the performance, the troupe will offer a free workshop Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Performance Hall. For more information, contact Neely at akko@cc.usu.edu.

 

“In the Spirit of Kabuki” has been made possible by support from the Japan Foundation and the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation, with additional support from the USU College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, the department of languages, philosophy and speech communication, the department of music and the department of theatre arts.