The Los Angeles Bando Ryu Japanese Classical Dance Group demonstrates the choreography of two featured songs of the Nisei Week parade of Aug. 16 at the kick-off event for the 2015 Nisei Week at the Japanese American National Museum. (Cultural News Photo)
To help the public prepare for the Nisei Week’s Grand Parade on Aug. 16, and Ondo street dancing/Closing Ceremony on Aug. 23, free Ondo classes are being held from 6:30 – 9 pm on Tuesday, July 21, Thursday, July 23, Tuesday, July 28, Thursday, July 30, and Tuesday, Aug. 4 on the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Plaza in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles.
Participants are requested to bring to each practice: two sticks (14 inches long) and one sensu (folding fan).
Questions should be emailed to Miles Hamada at (323) 620-0662 or ondo@niseiweek.org.
The 2015 Nisei Week Grand Parade will feature two songs, “Sorega Daiji” and “Yorokobi Ondo” which will be choreographed by the Los Angeles Bando Ryu Japanese Classical Dance Group.
The Los Angeles Bando Ryu consists of Bando Mitsusa Kai, Bando Mitsuhiro Kai, Bando Hidesomi Nihon Buyo Kai, and Mai No Kai.
The Bando School of Japanese Classical Dance is headquartered in Tokyo and was established there in the early 1800s. The first branch studio in Los Angeles opened in the 1940s.
The 2015 Nisei Week Japanese Festival is a nine-day event first held in 1934, and is recognized today as one of the longest running ethnic festivals in the United States.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the festival will take place in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo district from August 15-23.
For a calendar of events, log on to www.NiseiWeek.org, call the Nisei Week Foundation office at (213) 687-7193 or email info@niseiweek.org. The Nisei Week office is located at 244 South San Pedro Street, Suite 303, Los Angeles, CA 90012.