Daidengaku celebrates the beauty of Japanese dance.
Manzo Nomura, creator of Daidengdaku. (Photo courtesy of Shigeko Bork)
With the 100th anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival, the District has never seemed more in tune with Japanese culture. The Pink Tie Gala that kicked off the festival featured Japanese aesthetics and performances, and glimpses of Japanese culture have popped up around the city. Want to take part in the cultural experience?
Daidengaku, a performance of interpretive Japanese dance, will provide the capital’s Japanophiles a new way to immerse themselves in the nation’s culture.
Daidengaku will be a modern interpretation of “dengdaku” dances, which were initially performed in the 11th to 16th centuries.
But this modern performance, interpreted by Manzo Nomura, will feature George Washington University students and local residents, as well as Japanese actress Keiko Matsuzaka. Though the dances will have been somewhat modernized, the performance will remain authentic– the Daidengdaku dancers will perform in costumes from Japan.
The best part of all? The performance is free. Daidengaku will take place on March 28 at the Florence Hollis Hand Chapel on George Washington University’s Mount Vernon Campus. For more information, click here.
Actress Keiko Matsuzaka. (Photo courtesy of Shigeko Bork)
Daidengaku dancer. (Photo courtesy of Shigeko Bork)
