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Special Events

Both performances on September 11 are sold out. The Story Box will run through October 9 at various locations in NYC. Check <a href="https://here.org/shows/the-story-box/" target="_blank">here</a> for a list of venues and times.

<h5>Theater</h5>
Saturday, September 11 at 4 pm 
 Saturday, September 11 at 7 pm
Co-presented with HERE

Written and performed by Suzi Takahashi and directed by Kristin Marting, The Story Box explores the importance of safeguarding our civil rights through the lens of Japanese American identity. Using kamishibai (a traditional Japanese storytelling method), coupled with Takahashi’s own family history and original music, this show takes audience members on a 230-year journey through our country's problematic treatment of Asian immigrants. In this outdoor event on 47th Street in front of Japan Society, each audience member receives a suitcase to sit on—a prop that alludes to Japanese Americans taking "only what they could carry" during their relocation during WWII. What will you find in your suitcase?

All patrons attending performances will be required to show proof of vaccination (NY Excelsior pass or vaccination card) and be masked. 

Tickets: Pay What You Wish

Location: On 47th Street between First and Second Avenue, in front of Japan Society’s building (333 East 47th Street, Manhattan)

This public event, permitted under New York City's Open Culture Program, commences a series of performances of The Story Box in outdoor spaces in each of the five boroughs of New York City.

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Written and performed by Suzi Takahashi and directed by Kristin Marting, The Story Box explores the importance of safeguarding our civil rights through the lens of Japanese American identity.

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Image: The Story Box © Photo of Suzi Takahashi by Paula Court, Family Photos courtesy of Suzi Takahashi, Graphic Design by Alex M. Lee

The Story Box is co-presented and produced by HERE. In addition to this September 11 Manhattan performance, the show will be performed in each of the other Boroughs through partnerships with Asian American Arts Alliance, Bronx Academy of Art and Dance, Flushing Town Hall, New York Economic Development Corporation, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island Arts, and Target Margin Theater. The Story Box has been developed with support from Alfred University, Bethany Arts Community, Bristol Valley Theatre and National Park of Women’s Rights, and the Venturous Theatre Fund of the Tides Foundation. Additional support provided by The Venturous Theatre Fund of the Tides Foundation; and GREEN / ARTS LIVE NYC. GREEN / ARTS LIVE NYC is made possible with support from New York Community Trust and Con Edison’s Arts Al Fresco Series, administered by City Parks Foundation in collaboration with the Horticultural Society of New York, New Yorkers for Culture & Arts, NYC Department of Transportation, OpenCultureWORKS, and Street Lab.

<img style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" src="https://images.contentful.com/zwqohdz2e0fx/3uvo0hJR85vqCgK7TuawGT/3c4298d11f03bc6d41d5eb33704b9cdd/HERE_Logo_18-19Gradient.png" alt="" width="auto" height="25" />

 2021-2022 Performing Arts Season

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 <td style="padding-bottom: 10px">Lead Sponsor</td>
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 <td style="vertical-align: middle; padding-right: 26px;"><img style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" src="https://jscommunity.japansociety.org/image/PA_MetLife_214.png" alt="MetLife Foundation" width="214" height="25" /></td>
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The season is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. 

<img style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" src="//images.ctfassets.net/zwqohdz2e0fx/5ypprxzQGivKZPiPqceaQp/3221d2dae5a9641546172131c697f6e6/nyc_cultural_affairs_logo.png" alt="" width="" height="30" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<img style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zwqohdz2e0fx/3Ko8ijbZbegeMo7shRiBTS/9e8893fcbfccd4736a86a61e14385085/NYSCA_Green.jpg" alt="" width="" height="30" /> 

Major Support is generously provided by Doug and Teresa Peterson, with endowment support from the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Endowment Fund and the Endowment for the Performing Arts, established with a leadership gift from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. 

Additional support is provided by Helen and Kenneth A. Cowin, Dr. Jeanette C. Takamura, Dr. and Mrs. Carl F. Taeusch II, Mr. Alan M. Suhonen‡, Sarah Billinghurst Solomon and Howard Solomon, Paula S. Lawrence, Dr. Stephen and Mrs. Michiko Levine, Marjorie Neuwirth, Hiroko Onoyama, Lyndley and Samuel Schwab, and Nancy and Joe Walker. Transportation assistance is provided by All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. Yamaha is the official piano provider of Japan Society. MetLife Meet-the-Artists Reception is provided by MetLife Foundation. 

<a href="http://www.fly-ana.com/"><img style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/zwqohdz2e0fx/2GyisQCua2vvhJsl31ee8Q/78a4de01f7bc81c012b782cca8dd4cb6/041921-LOGO-ANA_130.png" alt="" width="130" height="37" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;


&dagger; In memoriam.

The Story Box 

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In this program, Oki performs solo pieces as well as contemporary works, performed by his internationally-known Oki Ainu Dub Band, that fuse Reggae, African and Electronica with Ainu folk melodies.

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OKI: Music of the Ainu

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BUTTERFLY Opening cr. Ken Howard MetOpera

Madama Butterfly at the Met: Past, Present, Progress

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This in-person family workshop explores not only the stylized movements and gestures of Okinawa’s traditional court dances and zo odori (popular folk dances), but also the beats and sounds of Okinawa’s iconic music. 

Young children dancing with two instructors in a classroom.

032022 Okinawa Dance Workshop (Families)

Okinawan Dance Workshop for Families

Learn about the history of Okinawa’s performing arts in an in-person, interactive dance workshop that introduces the movements and rhythms of Okinawa’s traditional court dances.

A row of yukata-clad dancers about to begin a demonstration.

031922 Introduction to Okinawan Dance

Introduction to Okinawan Dance

Past

Performances

Stay tuned for our 2022-23 Performing Arts Season!