The Okinawa Association of America (OAA) hosts in-person practices of Okinawa-style Bon Odori on Saturdays, July, 5, 12, 19, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the OAA building, 16500 S. Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90247.
In-person practice is open to all ages, no dance experience necessary.
Bon dance group Team Kawachi Ondo is joining this practice every time. Team Kawachi Ondo is a part of the Kansai Club, hometown association of the Kansai area of Japan.
More information and practice videos are available at https://oaamensore.org/bondance
Okinawa-style Bon Dance will be performed at the Annual OAA Picnic on Saturday, July 20 at the Whittier Narrows Recreations Area (Group Picnic Area) 750 S. Santa Anita Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733.
Most of these Bon dances are based on the “Hawai‘i-style” choreographies (with minor changes) that instructor Naomi Endow learned from videos from the Young Okinawans of Hawai‘i (YOH). The choreography for “Asadoya Yunta” was created by Yoshino Majikina and adopted by the Southern District Obon Odori of the Buddhist Churches of America in 2001. “Ashibinaa” was choreographed by the OAA’s Geinō-bu Performing Arts Committee. Music recordings provided by the Young Okinawans of Hawai‘i (YOH) and Ryan Nakamatsu of Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Los Angeles.