Tag ‘Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga’
“Heading to the US! DADAN 2017” by Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga
Heading to the US! DADAN 2017
We’ve just left Kodo Village for our North American tour of DADAN!
Sending us off were the newest members to the Kodo family- the junior members, fresh out of the Apprentice Centre.
Personally, it’s been four years since I’ve been back home in the US.
We look forward to seeing you all!
“DADAN 2017” USA Tour –Kodo 35th Anniversary Production–
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20170126dadan_en.html
Performers: Masayuki Sakamoto, Yosuke Kusa, Yuta Sumiyoshi, Jun Jidai, Shunichiro Kamiya, Ryoma Tsurumi, Kengo Watanabe, Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga, Hayato Otsuka, Reo Kitabayashi, Issei Kohira, Masayasu Maeda, Koji Miyagi, Kodai Yoshida
*Cast is subject to change without notice.
Note: This photo is a Kodo DADAN promotional image that features four members from the 2017 USA Tour cast: Kengo Watanabe, Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga, Hayato Otsuka, & Reo Kitabayashi
“The Young Ones, Back in Action” by Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga
The Young Ones, Back in Action
Happy New Year, everyone!
Kodo’s young members, myself included, got back into action early on this year with a live-in rehearsal period from Jan. 4.
A new year is a new start, so we planned this rehearsal period with that in mind.
We practised core pieces that Kodo has performed since its early days, such as “Miyake” and “Yatai-bayashi,” under the instruction of Kodo’s veteran members.
Through these sessions, we also wanted to explore some new pathways. So we pooled and shared ideas and compositions, then worked together to create new sounds and pieces.
We were the only ones at Kodo Village and every day we made new discoveries and realizations. It was an opportunity for us all to reaffirm just how lucky we are to have a place where we can create sound all day long.
In 2017, we have all set our sights on new heights!
We hope you’ll cheer us on!
“Thank You for Coming to Our Performances in Tokyo” by Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga
Thank You for Joining Us at Tokyo University of the Arts for
Kodo Premium Concert
–An Invitation from Tamasaburo Bando into the World of Kodo–
Numerous artists at the forefront of the performing arts scene in Japan and around the world are Tokyo University of the Arts alumni. At the end of May, we gave three performances at the University’s concert hall, which received an enthusiastic response thanks to the presenter and each audience.
This performance is accompanied by a commentary in Japanese* by our artistic director, Tamasaburo Bando. He speaks of his relationship with Kodo over the past 16 years and thoughts behind his direction.
Tamasaburo’s commentary is filled with surprising stories and jokes, so we are entertained on stage by his words from start to finish.
*Note: His commentary is in Japanese only, so if you don’t understand Japanese, please let our drumming do all the talking.
I hope everyone who attends this performance will enjoy the programme as much as we do!
We are now in Kyoto performing at Kyoto Theater, which is located inside the Kyoto Station building. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Photos: Takashi Okamoto
Kodo Premium Concert
–An Invitation from Tamasaburo Bando into the World of Kodo–
June 1 (Wed)–3 (Fri), 2016 Kyoto Theater, Kyoto City
Start:
June 1 (Wed) 11:00, 16:00 (2 performances)
June 2 (Thu) 11:00, 16:00 (2 performances)
June 3 (Fri) 11:00
Note: Commentary will be in Japanese only.
http://www.kodo.or.jp/oet/20160601-03b_en.html
“A Taste of Vietnam at EC 2016” by Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga
A Taste of Vietnam at Earth Celebration 2016
Hello, everyone. I hope you are all keeping well.
On Sado we have been rehearsing for various new productions every day. Preparations are also underway for this year’s Earth Celebration (EC).
For EC 2016, we have invited guest artists from Vietnam to join us for a concert at Kodo Village. I went to Vietnam in February on a field trip to prepare for this collaboration.
When we arrived in Hanoi, it was right around Lunar New Year.
It was bright and festive, with lanterns and Vietnamese flags everywhere.
We tried a range of local cuisine,
walked throughout the city,
and enjoyed exchange with an array of local artists.
We delighted in the various similarities and differences between our cultures.
Immersed in the local atmosphere, the week just flew by as we enjoyed local food and local music.
This trip reminded me of the importance of international exchange, visiting new places, and experiencing other cultures firsthand with local people.
I hope our Kodo Village Concert at EC 2016 will be an opportunity for us to recreate and share a taste with our audience of the local atmosphere and culture that we experienced in Vietnam.
EC 2016 has other unique performances by Kodo members on the lineup, too.
We look forward to seeing everyone on Sado Island this August for EC!
Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga
“EC 2016 Kodo Village Concert” Assistant Director
Earth Celebration 2016
http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20160826ec_en.html
*Details about EC 2016 will be announced in English in late May. Tickets go on sale from June 20.