Volume 39, Number 15
Things To Do
Saturday August 2
Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo is a comedic ballet by men in toe shoes and tutus. This award winning ballet company was founded in 1974 with the goal of providing a playful parody of traditional ballet. These dance enthusiasts are known around the world and perform pieces such as Giselle and Paquita. Now, the troupe is coming to Tokyo, August 2, 5pm, and August 3, 4pm at Tokyo Kosei Nenkin Kaikan in Shinjuku. ¥6,000–¥8,000, tel. 03-3409-8205, www.trockadero.org.
Sunday August 3
Share the spirit of Hawaii at a special Aloha Night celebration at Roy’s Tokyo Bar and Grill in Roppongi. From 7pm, ¥12,600.
Today is the highlight of the August 1–3 Hachioji Matsuri, where 1,500 participants carrying six four-ton portable shrines begin to start battling (also known as buttsuke, or literally, hitting). The festival is near Hachioji station on the Chuo line. www.hachiojimatsuri.jp.
Monday August 4
ACCJ members and their guests are invited to a discussion on the success of the Yokoso! Japan campaign on increasing foreign tourism to Japan. 3–4pm, for more information: http://www.accj.or.jp/user/ueventdisplay.php?eventid=299.
R&B funk legend Charlie Wilson from the Gap Band plays tonight and tomorrow at the Billboard Live club in Tokyo MidTown. 7 and 9:30pm, ¥10,500. Tel. 03-3405- 1133 or visit www.billboard-live.com/club/t_index_e.html for info.
Tuesday August 5
The fireworks season continues with the Enoshima Fireworks at Katase Enoshima station on the Odakyu Line (or Shonan Enoshima on the Shonan Monorail). The boom factor is 5,000 and the show is on from 7:15–8:15. Tel. 04-6624-4141 for more information.
Seven-member Japanese dance group the Diamond Dogs perform Fantastic Musical’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream through August 6 at Ginga Gekijo on Tennouzu-Isle. The show is a reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s play with both classical and original music. Tel. 03-3498-9999 for tickets, ¥7,000–¥8,500.
Wednesday August 6
American drummer Will Calhoun and jazz and fusion guitarist Stanley Jordan take to the stage at the Blue Note in Minami-Aoyama tonight and tomorrow at 7 and 9:30pm, ¥8,400, tel. 03-5485-0088.
Continue celebrating the romantic Tanabata star festival today through August 10 at the Asagaya Tanabata Festival near Minami Asagaya station. The highlight is sure to be the elaborate kusudama decorations. Tel. 03-3312-6181 or visit www.asagaya.or.jp for more information.
Thursday August 7
Enjoy the Deco-Crafts Gallery for Kids through September 23 at the National Museum of Modern Art Craft & Design in Chiyoda-ku (the nearest station is Takebashi). Free–¥200, tel. 03-5777-8600.
Friday August 8
Start off your weekend at the Garden Theater Café at Tokyo MidTown. Through August 24, the large lawn area behind MidTown will be converted into a modern take on the drive in theater concept. Classic movies (think Singin’ in the Rain) will be screened every night from 7:30pm and you can view them from one of three zones—The Theatre Zone (¥1,500), with comfortable chairs and headphones, the Lounge Zone, which rents out cushions, or the Café Zone with tables and chairs. Food is served until 10pm and the area will stay open until dawn each day.
Saturday August 9
Enjoy a major music festival in Chiba this weekend as you head to Summer Sonic at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. The two-day lineup includes The Sex Pistols, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, the Verve, and many, many more. One day ¥15,500, two days ¥28,500. www.summersonic.com.
Sunday August 10
Tokyo’s biggest fireworks display takes place tonight with the Tokyo Bay Fireworks, which boasts a boom factor of 12,000. The show is from 7–8:20pm, but arrive early as viewing spaces go quickly! The closest stations are Kachidoki, Hamamatsucho, and Toyosu.
Head to Seaside Momochi in Fukuoka for an outdoor Latin music event today (and August 9). Isla de Salsa is organized by NPO Tiempo Iberoamericano and includes Samba dancers, musicians, and more. www.isla-de-salsa.jp
Monday August 11
Fabrice Hyber: Seed and Grow is at the Watari-Um Museum of Contemporary Art through August 31. ¥800–¥1,000, Tue, Thur–Sun: 11am–7pm, Wed: 11am–9pm, nearest station is Gaienmae, www.watarium.co.jp.
Tuesday August 12
The Imperial Hotel Tokyo in Yurakucho plays host to the Imperial Hotel Jazz Festival today and tomorrow from 2–8:30pm. The event features the Julliard All-Stars, Lee Jung Silk, a Korean sax player, Coco Zhao, a Chinese vocalist, and more. ¥15,000 for one day, ¥26,000 for two. Tel. 03-3504-1111 for more information.
The Fratellis, an upbeat rock trio from Glasgow, are in Japan for Summer Sonic and play a solo show tonight at O East in Shibuya at 7pm. ¥6,000, tel. 03-3462-6969.
Wednesday August 13
The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival is one of the three biggest shrine festivals in Tokyo and takes place through August 17. During the festival, water is splashed on the 120 portable shrines being carried by the crowd (who also calls out “wasshoi”), which is why this is known as the water-covering festival. The nearest station is Monzen Nakamachi, for more information: www.tomiokahachimangu.or.jp.
Thursday August 14
Help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Brazil with a celebratory taiko concert by the Amanojaku ensemble at the Nerima Bunka Center at 2pm. Also August 13, 7pm. ¥4,000–¥4,500. Tel. 05-7003-9999, http://amanojaku.info/EProfile.html.
The Lohas Classical Concert will be arranged and performed by Ryuichi Sakamoto with various musicans today and tomorrow at the Akasaka Act Theater at 7pm. ¥6,500, tel. 03-5436-9600.
Friday August 15
Visit The Galaxy Theatre on Tennozu Isle to watch Drumstruck, an interactive African percussion show. August 12–24, various times. www.hpot.jp or tel. 03-3490-4949.
Head to to Tipness for a summer workout and while you are there, pick up the newest issue of Weekender, our special style issue, due out today.