MATSURI JAPANESE DANCE / FESTIVAL GROUP

Founded in 1985, the Matsuri Japanese Dance Group was organized to promote Japanese dance and culture in San Antonio.  The dancers are multi-cultured but they all have a great interest in Japanese culture and have studied this art for at least 5 years.. The group performs a variety of formal classical dances in silk kimono and spirited folk dances in yukata.  They have performed for many retirement homes, festivals to include Folklife, Asian New Years, the Houston Asian Festival and parties.  They also do kimono robing, origami paper folding, Kami-Shibai Story Theater, fish printing and other Japanese arts working with the San Antonio Japan America Society. The group learns new dances from a master teacher in Houston and Japanese videos.  The costumes are from Japan.  Audience and performance consideration is always uppermost in choosing a program.  The following options are available:

1. CHERRY BLOSSOM PROGRAM – A 30 minute program which includes folk and classic dances of Japan with narrative explanation of each dance, pre-recorded music and colorful authentic Japanese costumes.*   $100.

2. FESTIVAL PROGRAM – A 45-60 minute program which includes folk and classic dancing with a narrative explanation of each dance, pre-recorded music and colorful authentic Japanese costumes. *  We will dress someone in the audience in a beautiful kimono and give a basic history and the customs of wearing the kimono.  We will introduce our giant 20-ft. Boys Day carp kite. $150.

*     We can arrange to have some dances of Okinawa also.  Their bingata stencil design and hand dyed costumes, movements, and music are quite unique and different from the Japanese.

EXTRAS

1.  ORIGAMI PAPER FOLDING -  We distribute, demonstrate and or teach beginning and advanced origami. Imagine creating birds, flowers, animals, and boxes out of a simple square of paper or a dollar bill.  We furnish the paper unless otherwise arranged. (Except the dollar bills) This is a great activity for any age and the difficulty of the folds is suited to the experience of the folders.  You will learn to make cards, bookmarks, gift wraps, jewelry and many other applications.  $50 or $5 each person for 1 – 2 hour presentation.

2.   PAPER DOLLMAKING  - Making special 3D Japanese paper dolls using Japanese papers.  Patterns and paper are furnished.  We can bring scissors, pencils, rulers, glue and markers.  Great for all ages.  You can make cards, bookmarks, gift wraps and even jewelry with these models. $75 or $7 per person for 2 hour lesson or demonstration.

3.   KAMI-SHIBAI STORYTELLING – This literally means Paper Theater. The costumed storyteller Presents old Japanese children’s stories using a “magic” box theater, as it would have been presented before TV. This is a 30-minute program. A prolonged experience for school groups or Scouts - the children can construct their own stage, story cards and scripts. $50 - $100.

4.   JAPANESE CULTURE PRESENTATION – Costumed performer brings a Japanese “treasure box” with maps, pictures, arts and artifacts of Japan. Explanation and hands-on exploration of these artifacts is given.  A beautiful wedding kimono is shown.  Sometimes this presentation may include some of the above Japanese arts.  45 minute – 60 minute Program.  $100.