Performing Arts

Past Season

Spring 2008

Concepts about Japanese women often involve stereotypical characteristics such as subservience, quiet humility, and gracious deference. But the New York-based Japanese women artists featured this season shatter those images. These artists are not defined by their cultural heritage or generalizations about their gender; rather, with bold ferocity and poetic imagination, they have sculpted individual artistic visions that weave into the diverse cultural landscape of the extraordinary city we call New York.

Akiko Yano

February

Acclaimed pianist, composer and singer Akiko Yano was born in Tokyo and has lived in New York since 1990. A unique artist who began her career as a child prodigy jazz pianist, she has since been likened to Joni Mitchell for her extraordinary arrangements and soulful voice. She has released upwards of 24 albums.

Yano’s exploration of the musicality of the Japanese language is featured in concert with her trio, which includes Cliff Almond (percussion) and Anthony Jackson (guitar).

Tzadik Music Label Series III

March

Curated by John Zorn, this is the third in our new music series dedicated to presenting the best in avante-garde and experimental music of Japan.

The adventurous creativity of drummer/laptop musician Ikue Mori is evidenced by the numerous bands and projects she has initiated and participated in. Two concerts showcase her versatility and maverick sensibilities.

Play Reading Series

April

The award-winning play Frozen Beach – a twisted black comedy from Tokyo’s indie-rocker/theater artist Keralino Sandorovich, is presented in a staging and translation of New York-based writer/director Aya Ogawa, founder of knife inc..

Yoshiko Chuma: OTHER M

May

Since coming to the U.S. in 1976, Yoshiko Chuma has created more than 50 full-length dance/performance works for theaters and site-specific venues throughout the world. Chuma's latest work, OTHER M, is a collage of dance, live music, projections and commentary about the little-known country of Manipur. Created in collaboration with artists from Japan, Manipur and the U.S., OTHER M is an extension of Chuma's ongoing work-in-progress, A Page Out of Order.