Though it’s a Buddhist tradition, the festival is a national holiday in Japan and is typically celebrated the 13-16th of July or August, depending on the region. The festival commemorates the Buddhist monk Mogallana. Legend says Mogallana, who could see into the afterlife, saved his deceased mother from hell by giving offerings to Buddhist monks. He danced in celebration, joined by others in a large circle. That dance, known as bon odori, remains one of the highlights of the Obon festival today. During the vibrant traditional folk dance, participants dance in a large ring around a “yagura” or raised platform to the beat of taiko drums and singing.
Smuin Ballet premiere set at Lesher Center, Smuin Ballet premieres Helen Pickett’s “Oasis,” an ode to water, at 8 p.m, Friday, May ballet dancewear costumes 27 and 2 p.m, and 8 p.m., Saturday, May 28, in the Hofmann Theatre, at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, in Walnut Creek, The program also includes Kiri Kylian’s “Return to a Strange Land,” a reflection on the strange land we enter when we pass from this world, Tickets range from $56-$73 and can be purchased in person at the Lesher center ticket office online at www.lesherartscenter.org or by calling 925-943-7469..
And there certainly were competing agendas Friday night between Presidents Trump and Xi, with the two coming together for their first in-person meeting to discuss trade disputes, the increased nuclear threat of North Korea and other issues. I don’t know if arranging cute-kid performances is a strategy they teach in graduate programs for aspiring diplomats but it’s a lesson that was beautifully demonstrated in the beloved 1965 musical “The Sound of Music.”. In this way, Ivanka getting her kids to sing for Xi and his wife — it’s a very Maria Von Trapp move.
There’s an amusing moment when Ramanujan explains the plot of “Charley’s Aunt” to Hardy, which becomes an in-joke unintended by the playwright when we remember that Coyne starred in an adaptation of that play at Hayward’s Douglas Morrisson Theatre earlier this year, Hauptman’s play isn’t all grim, by any means, ballet dancewear costumes In fact, at times it’s positively playful, Ramanujan has a charmingly friendly and informal relationship with the goddess he credits for all his inspiration, Namagiri of Namakkal, played with warmth and compassion by Avanthika Srinivasan, who also does some elegant dances to Natarajan Srinivasan’s terrific Indian music..
Oktoberfest by the Bay: Friday, Sept. 21, through Sunday, Sept. 23. Three days’ worth of German food, beer, singing and dancing on Pier 48 in San Francisco at one of the West’s biggest Oktoberfests. Headlining is the 21-piece Chico Bavarian Band, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this season. Friday night and Saturday night are limited to adults age 21 and up; children are allowed on Saturday afternoon or all day Sunday, which is Family Day. Admission: $25 general, $85 VIP (includes German buffet, commemorative mug), $5 kids ages 13-18, free for ages 12 and under. Hours, tickets: www.oktoberfestbythebay.com.
