Volume 04, Number 16
Things To Do
Saturday, Aug 18
Join manga publishers and cosplay fans at the last day of the popular event, Comiket. Tokyo Big Sight.
www.comiket.co.jp/index_e.html
Sunday, Aug 19
Visit the exhibit, Samari of Amazon, and get your face painted—tribalstyle. Taro Okamoto Museum of Art, Kawasaki. www.taromuseum.jp
Monday, Aug 20
Come down to JZ Brat with your special someone and let Donna Burke serenade you in an evening of romantic jazz. ¥4,200
www.jzbrat.com
Tuesday, Aug 21
Know you are watching something special as innovators of the Japanese avant-garde music scene put on their show. ¥3,000
www.super-deluxe.com
Wednesday, Aug 22
Spend the morning inspired by musical prodigies at the 15th Young Artists Piano Concour. 10:15am ¥1,000
www.operacity.jp/en/concert
Thursday, Aug 23
Cheer as the top swimmers of the world race in four days of competition at the International Swim Meet 2007 in Chiba.
www.japan2007.org
Friday, Aug 24
Learn to appreciate the sounds of insects at the Mushikiki-no-kai tea ceremony. 9am–9pm at Mukojima-hyakkaen Gardens. Tel. 03-3611-8705
Saturday, Aug 25
Let yourself be transported by the colorful Asakusa Samba Carnival. The parade runs from 1:30pm to 6pm near Sensoji Temple in Asakusa.
Sunday, Aug 26
Get swept away by the energy of music and dance on this final day of the Harajuku Omotesando Genki Festival.
www.yosakoi-harajuku.com
Monday, Aug 27
Get those creative juices flowing at the monthly Writing Salon at RBR Creative Center for the Arts from 7pm to 9pm. www.rbr-art.com/en
Tuesday, Aug 28
Come down to the Blues Alley as Ron Brown and his saxophone team up with vocalist Makeda for a magical night. ¥5,000
www.bluesalley.co.jp
Wednesday, Aug 29
Register early for the international conference, Changing Roles of Higher Education in a Globalized World.
www.unu.edu/globalization
Thursday, Aug 30
Wine, buffet, and funky music await you at the Pink Cow's ‘Summer Island Fun' Wine Party. ¥5,500. RSVP at events@orca-international.com
Friday, Aug 31
Get ready to be blown away as Blast! brings its marching band enthusiasm from Broadway to Tokyo.
www.blast-tour.jp (in Japanese)
Saturday, Sep 1
Piga Piga Night brings the Afro spirit to the Super Deluxe with live music, live painting, and a dance workshop. ¥2,800
www.super-deluxe.com
Sunday, Sep 2
See what emerging artists are up to at this latest installment of "Tokyo Wonder Wall" at the Tokyo Wonder Site.
www.tokyo-ws.org/english/hongo
Monday, Sep 3
At the Owara Kaze-no-bon festival in Toyama, learn the tradition of praying for autumn harvest abundance.
www8.city.toyama.toyama.jp/kanko
Tuesday, Sep 4
Pair up your wanderlust and compassion and come find out more about Habitat for Humanity Japan at the Pink Cow. From 7pm.
www.habitatjp.org/index_e.php
Wednesday, Sep 5
Learn the art of flower arrangement at the Ohara School of Ikebana 10am–12pm. www.ohararyu.or.jp/english/index_e.html
Thursday, Sep 6
Contemplate nature at the exhibition, From the Collection 024: All Things in the Universe at Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery.
www.operacity.jp/en/ag/
Friday, Sep 7
Stop by ROTI Roppongi for some fine alfresco dining...and while you're there, pick up the new issue of Weekender!
Azabu Juban Summer Festival.
By Karin Ling
Think you’ve had your fill of festive matsuri fun for the year? Don’t put away your yukata just yet...
The Azabu Juban Summer Festival is back, transforming the area’s quaint shopping streets into a three-day street party. From Friday, Aug. 24 to Sunday, Aug. 26, the good times kick off with brass band performances at 3pm. Afterwards, you’ll find a range of entertainment options at venues throughout the area. Catch Juban’s Traditional Show at Juban Inari Shine or Hawaiian Jazz at the 10 Bang stage.
While enjoying the music, make sure you browse a few of the over 300 stalls that will line the streets or do some serious shopping up at the Antique Market. If the crowds start to get to you, run off some steam at the FC Tokyo Soccer Corner or lose yourself in the tranquility of Bon Odori folk dancing.
One of the most interesting features of the Azabu Juban Summer Festival is the International Bazaar. Supported by 30 embassies, this is a wonderful chance to sample cuisines and cultures from around the world. The popular bazaar adds an unexpected worldly flavor to the matsuri, a most quintessentially Japanese event.