Dance and Poetry of Japan Workshop
Sachiyo Ito and Company presents the culmination performance of her Dance and Poetry of Japan Workshop on Tuesday, June 24.
Culmination Performance of Dance and Poetry of Japan Workshop
Tuesday, June 24 from11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
University Settlement's Neighborhood Center – 189 Allen Street (between Stanton and E. Houston Streets)
Admission: Free
Sachiyo Ito and Company presents the culmination performance of her Dance and Poetry of Japan Workshop on Tuesday, June 24. Participants will present the Japanese classical dance Yanagi no Wakaba (Young Leaves of Willows) and dances inspired by haiku and renku (linking verses). Special guest vocalist Beth Griffith will join to accompany the dances.
The program highlight is Sachiyo Ito’s work created for the Chinese community, titled Hiei Oroshi (Cold Wind from Mt. Hiei). Sung by Yong Jhong Jia from the Chinese Opera Theater with the Japanese melody, the work is choreographed to selected poems from Shajin-Shu, the collection of poems by Chinese poetesses.
The presentation will conclude with dance improvisations on haiku stanzas from the audience. Audiences are invited to bring their own haiku. A reception with refreshments will follow the program.
To reserve your spot, please send an email to sachiyoitoandcompany@gmail.com. (Please note: The venue has changed from 94 E. 1st Street to the current location of 189 Allen Street.)
Photo courtesy of Sachiyo Ito and Company
About the Dance and Poetry Workshop
Sachiyo Ito has conducted the free Dance and Poetry Workshop for the last ten years at several senior centers in Manhattan. Seniors from various cultural backgrounds who share a love for and interest in Japanese culture have attended.
The culmination concert showcases an example of artists’ efforts to unite the peoples of New York, known for its diversity in culture, ethnicity, and races.
Photo courtesy of Sachiyo Ito and Company
Sachiyo Ito’s Memoir on JapanCulture-NYC.com
Sachiyo Ito has been serializing her memoir on JapanCulture•NYC, each chapter revealing a different aspect of her early life in Tokyo and career in New York City.
Ito offers of a profound exploration of the experience of dedicating herself to traditional Japanese dance at an early age, arriving in New York City during the tumultuous ‘70s, and making a successful career in the arts. Each chapter offers a glimpse into the complexities that shaped her journey. It is a literary examination of not only Ito Sensei’s life, but of how New York City’s culture evolved over the decades and what sacrifices one must make to achieve a thriving career in the arts.
The memoir is an invitation to delve into the layers of a creative life and career that has spanned more than 50 years. As a work in progress, it is also an invitation for you to offer your feedback. Your insights will contribute to the evolution of this extraordinary work.
To read all the chapters, please click here. For more information about Sachiyo Ito, please visit her website, dancejapan.com.
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