Public rehearsals for the 84th Nisei Week Japanese Festival’s Grand Parade and Street Ondo began July 27 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center Plaza in Little Tokyo.
Under the direction of official choreographer Bando Hidesomi and Los Angeles Bando Ryu, participants practiced dances to Aya Shimazu’s “Yosakoi Matsuri Uta” and SixTONES’ “Ichibyo.”
Instructors from the Kotobuki No Kai folk dance group and the Meiji Dance Club, based at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center, also attended with their members. Local dance groups and individual participants joined them in reviewing the movements and formations.
Participation in both the Grand Parade’s public dance group and the Street Ondo is free and open to everyone.
Rehearsals will continue Aug. 3, 5, 10 and 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the JACCC Plaza, 244 S. San Pedro St. Music and instructional videos are available on the Nisei Week and Little Tokyo Dance Club websites.
The Long Beach Ondo Club, which participated in the rehearsal, plans to offer a practice session for local dancers at Long Beach Buddhist Church, 2360 Santa Fe Ave. in Long Beach, on Fridays at 7 p.m. The time is subject to change.
The Grand Parade will take place Sunday, Aug. 16, and the Street Ondo on Sunday, Aug. 23, in Little Tokyo.
For information regarding practice, contact Wesley Nakansishi at (213) 359-7755, or email wnishinaka@aol.com
