Earth Celebration (アース・セレブレーション)
Photos courtesy of Earth Celebration
Click on any image to zoom in
 |
 |  |  |  |
| Country and Region | Japan — Niigata |
|---|---|
| Type of Festival | Music |
| Location of Festival | Sado Island, Niigata-ken, Japan |
| Festival Address Information | Earth Celebration |
| Festival Description | This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Japanese Immigration to Brazil, and 2008 has been deemed “Japan-Brazil Exchange Year.” In celebration of this auspicious anniversary, Kodo welcomes Brazilian samba-reggae group Olodum for a special collaboration at their annual international arts festival “Earth Celebration” (EC). Co-presented by Sado City and Kodo, Earth Celebration 2008 will be a special three-day program held August 22 through 24 on Sado Island. “We are delighted to celebrate the cultural exchange born from the Japanese-Brazilian community that has joined these two nations,” reports EC Executive Producer Atsushi Sugano, “and I am looking forward to seeing the exciting results of this exchange at Earth Celebration.” There are many similarities between Kodo and Olodum. Both groups share a fundamental connection to their respective local communities and a pursuit of better communication and understanding through performing arts. Both groups are centered around percussion, but also pursue a variety of musical expressions and endeavors reaching beyond the performing arts into social and environmental issues that affect their communities and the world at large. Both groups are also no strangers to collaboration with musicians of different backgrounds, and the long-awaited joint performance between these two formidable forces in the world music scene promises to forge new ground through unprecedented and exciting collaboration. In addition to the main stage performances in Shiroyama Park, the festival will also offer hands-on workshops led by invited artists and numerous free performances on the always-popular “fringe” stage. Special “pre-events” held from August 19 (Tue) through 21(Thu) will showcase the traditional performing arts of Kyogen and Noh Theater on three of the island’s famous Noh stages. |
| Festival Dates | August 22 - 24, 2008 |
| Festival Links |
Festival Story:
About Kodo
Exploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, Kodo are forging new directions for a vibrant living artform. In Japanese the word “Kodo” conveys two meanings: Firstly,
“heartbeat,” the primal source of all rhythm. The sound of the great taiko is said to resemble a mother’s heartbeat as felt in the womb, and it is no myth that babies are often lulled asleep by its thunderous
vibrations. Secondly, read in a different way, the word can mean “children of the drum,” a reflection of Kodo’s desire to play their drums simply, with the heart of a child. Since their debut at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodo have given over 3100 performances on all five continents, spending about a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan and a third resting and preparing new material on Sado Island. Kodo strives to both preserve and re-interpret traditional Japanese performing arts. Beyond this, members on tours and research trips all over the globe have brought back to Sado a kaleidoscope of world music and experiences which now exerts a strong influence on the group’s performances and compositions. Collaborations with other artists and composers extend right across the musical spectrum and Kodo’s lack of preconceptions about its music continues to produce startling new fusion and forms.
About Earth Celebration
The rich natural splendor of Sado sets the stage for Earth Celebration, an international arts festival that seeks an alternative global culture through musical and cultural collaborations with artists from around the world. Just as the Northern-bound ships, or “Kitamaesen,” once carried culture and traditions to and from Sado Island in days of old, EC has become such a venue for cultural and artistic exchange. Deemed a
“floating treasure chest” of traditional culture, Sado’s combination of rich history and air of mystique make it the perfect place for new discoveries. Each year the meetings made through music lead us further along the journey into a new age. Under the theme “Tataku” (to beat a rhythm), EC has been a place where human beings can connect with music and nature on a profound level for the past 21 years.
Festival Events:
Schedule 2008:
- Shiroyama Concert Schedule (Main Concerts)
Friday, August 22
Open: 5:15pm (17:15)
Start: 6:30pm (18:30) - “Brazil Night” featuring Olodum with Kodo
Saturday, August 23
Open: 5:15pm (17:15)
Start: 6:30pm (18:30) - “Shukusai” Celebration featuring Kodo & Olodum
Sunday, August 24
Open: 5:15pm (17:15)
Start: 6:30pm (18:30
Practical Info:
Tickets 2008:
- Shiroyama Concert Ticket Information — Daily Tickets
- Friday, August 22, Advance: ¥4,700, Rush: ¥5,000
- Saturday, August 23, ¥4,700, Rush: ¥5,000
- Sunday, August 24, ¥5,200, Rush: ¥5,500
- 3-Day Pass
- August 22 through 24, ¥13,000
- 2-Day Passes
- Friday and Saturday, August 22 and 23, ¥8,400
- Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, ¥8,900
- Children
- From ages 6 to 14 may enter free of charge, but require a Children’s Voucher which can be ordered through the Kodo Ticket Service. Pre-schoolers do not require tickets for entry.
- Tickets Sales
On sale through the following services:
- Kodo Ticket Service: +81 0259-86-2330
- Kodo Online Ticket Service (Japanese Only) https://www.e-tiket.jp/
- JTB/JTB Traveland/JTB Travel Agency Branches
- Ticket machines at Lawson, Family Mart and Seven Eleven
- Tickets also available through Sado City Offices and the Sado Tourism Association at +81 0259-27-5000
Start or join a conversation about this festival in the Forum.
