NW26 Tradition | Nisei Week 2026 Ondo Choreographed by Bando Hidesomi | “Yosakoi Matsuri Uta” & “Ichibyo” Featured at Grand Parade Aug. 16 & Closing Ceremony Aug. 23
LITTLE TOKYO, Los Angeles – The Nisei Week Japanese Festival is proud to be celebrating its 84th year from August 15–23.
As tradition goes, the nine-day festival will conclude with the Ondo and Closing Ceremony on Sunday, August 23. The public is welcome to come enjoy the live entertainment and participate in the Ondo “traditional Japanese street dancing,” followed by the Closing Ceremony. This event will begin at 4 p.m. and is held on 1st Street, between San Pedro Street and Central Avenue.
Festival participants and spectators alike can look forward to dancing along to this year’s featured parade song selections, “Yosakoi Matsuri Uta” by Aya Shimazu and “Ichibyo” by SixTONES. Dance demonstration videos and music will be available through NiseiWeek.org, the Little Tokyo Dance Club website, the Long Beach Ondo Club Facebook page, and YouTube.
Nisei Week 2026 Choreographer Bando Hidesomi
The 2026 Nisei Week Choreographer Bando Hidesomi was born in Torrance, Calif., and started her training under Madame Bando Mitsuhiro at the age of three. She started additional training under Madame Bando Hideko, daughter of Grand Master Bando Mitsugoro IX (9th), when she was 12. She trained in Japan for five years under the care of Bando Mitsugoro IX, while attending Keio University. While in Japan, she received the title of Shihan (Master’s degree). She also participated in the Bando School’s Charity Recital in Tokyo and Bando-Kai’s 75th Anniversary Recital at the National Theater of Japan. Bando Hidesomi is one of the representatives today for the Bando Ryu in Los Angeles.
Upon returning to the United States in 1996, she started to build her career as a professional dancer and dedicated herself to the upbringing of her students in the Los Angeles area. She is presently teaching at the Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute (JCI), Gardena JCI, and the Mai no Kai studio in Torrance, with students ranging in age from 3 to 80. She has also been a part of the after-school program at El Marino Elementary School in Culver City for over 20 years, which is now continued by her student.
Bando Hidesomi and her students have performed at many different venues throughout the years. They participate annually in the Nisei Week Festival, Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival, Torrance Bunka-sai, Gardena JCI carnival, and Zenshuji obon. Some of their other performances have been at cultural events in and out of state, local koto and taiko concerts. They also share their passion by visiting the nursing homes in the greater Los Angeles area, which brings much joy into their hearts.
In recent years, she was also a guest performer for the Makoto Taiko Concert, collaborating with taiko and shakuhachi, which has encouraged her to choreograph more contemporary music. Bando Hidesomi has led and choreographed for the Nisei Week Parade and is the choreographer for the Nihon Buyo section of the Nisei Week Coronation Ball from 2015 to present.
In 2006, Bando Hidesomi had her recital at the Aratani Theater and participated in the Los Angeles Bando-ryu Charity Recital, also held at the Aratani Theater. Most recently, the Bando Hidesomi Nihon Buyo Class celebrated its 30th Anniversary “Yuubi” on January 18, 2026 at the Aratani Theater in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.
Apart from performing, she has shared her passion by having lecture demonstrations and workshops at JACCC, Nibei Foundation, ESGVJCC, UC Santa Barbara, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, El Camino College, Santa Monica College, and other local cultural and educational facilities, elementary and middle schools. In recent years, she has had the privilege of sharing her passion with lecture demonstrations and events through the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles.
Through Nihon Buyo, Bando Hidesomi wishes to express her feelings of appreciation and respect for all cultures and hopes her passion for Nihon Buyo will bring love, joy, peace, and hope to everyone, creating a bridge of unity between all cultures.