Categorized | Entertainment

Japanese Kagura appearances in Kona (Aug. 20-21)

MEDIA RELEASE

Tickets are on sale for a rare Japanese Kagura performance 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21 at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa Convention Center.

With vibrant, elaborate costumes, expressive masks and music, Kagura is a ceremonial type of dance with roots in Shinto featuring ancient legends from the mountainous region of Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan.

This Kagura event is likely the first time Big Island residents will experience this type of historical, exciting and theatrical dance performance

In addition to the Kurisu Kagura Dan group, the performance will feature the sister violin and piano duo “Duo Hinotsume” who learned solo and chamber music at Toho Gakuen University and have been playing together since 2000.

Tickets are available at the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and Samurai Country Coffee in Kailua-Kona; Wally’s Watch Service in Kainaliu; Kona Stories at the Keauhou Shopping Center; Shiraki Dry Cleaners in Captain Cook; and Kimura Lauhala Shop in Holualoa for $15 general seating and $20 for reserved seating, checks payable to: Kona-Hiroshima Peace Festival.

The event is sponsored by Kona Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, Kona Hiroshima Peace Festival Committee and others.

The Kurisu Kagura Dan troupe of students from Hatsukaichi City of Hiroshima Prefecture is traveling to Kona as part of a five-year anniversary celebration of the sister-chamber relationship with the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and the Hatsukaichi City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Several events in Kona will be going on to mirror events in Hiroshima, including the Kona-Hiroshima Peace Festival and art exhibit noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Keauhou Shopping Center Courtyard.

In a cultural exchange of friendship and goodwill, Kona’s Halau Kalaakeakauikawekiu travelled to Japan to perform several hula shows and showcase 70 Kona artists in an exhibition.

Saturday’s event is a combination of Hawaiian Hoolaulea and Japanese Matsuri, with unique food including Hiroshima style okonomiyaki displays; games; craft vendors; contests and live entertainment featuring Herb Ohta, Jr. with Jon Yamasato, Kurisu Kagura Dan, Maka, Bikini Beach, Hula Halau Kalaakeakauikawekiu, Honokaa High School Jazz Band and Kona Hongwanji Temple Taiko Drummers.

Also featured will be an auction of unique Japanese art pieces and a drawing for a pahu drum commissioned specifically for this Peace Festival by wood carver and drum maker Kala Willis.

A portion of the proceeds raised from these events will benefit Aloha for Japan.

For more information, call Claudia Chang at 323-2287 or Matt Carter at 936-2179 or visit www.kona-peace.com

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