2021 Alameda's Historic Japantown Art Walk (Music & Dance Performances at Three of the Historical Alameda Japantown Locations)NEW

On Friday, September 17th, Rhythmix Cultural Works presented music and dance performances at three of the historical Alameda Japantown marker locations. The Alameda Free Library, the neighborhood where many Japanese American’s used to live, The Buddhist Temple of Alameda and the Buena Vista United Methodist Church.

At our temple, we had a performance by Enshoza a Japanese folk performing ensemble from San Francisco. They transported us to Japan’s mountain and fishing villages with traditional folk songs and festival dance music. Their dances evoked a festival spirit and characters of Japan’s diverse rural communities.

PJ Hirabayashi, one of the founders of the San Jose Taiko Dojo came with her Taiko Peace ensemble to teach Ei Ja Nai Ka, the joyous taiko drumming song and dance that expresses deep gratitude and homage to the immigrants who came before us and blazed a trail of hope, innovation, and a bright future for us all. Several of our Temple members took part in the dancing..

Our resident ikebana instructor, Jane Suiei Naito created a large-scale ikebana installation on our front stairs for the event.

Many of the over 300 guests (wearing masks) took us up on our invitation to come inside the hondo to see our beautiful onaijin and meet with Rev. Dennis.

Event Date
Sept 17, 2021, Friday

Time
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Costs
Free