Re: Around & About ...
For music, dance and theater lovers: a rare Bay Area appearance of artists from the ancient, classical Noh theater of Japan: Theatre of Yugen presents Shinosuke Okura, Noh drummer (designated Intangible Cultural Property by the government of Japan), giving a lecture/demo on Noh music and philosophy, "What Is Noh?" this Sunday, 2-4 p.m., followed by a workshop (with flute player Narumi Takizawa) from 4-5. On Monday, 7-9 p. m. Kanze Noh actor Masashi Nomura (son of Noh actor Shiro Nomura) will conduct a workshop in Noh movement and singing, All will be held at Noh Space, Project Artaud, 2840 Mariposa St. in San Francisco's Mission/Potrero. (Lecture/demo: $20. Workshops, $50 each.Progressive discounts for taking two or all three:) Next Wednesday, June 23, Yugen will perform excerpts from MOON OF THE SCARLET PLUMS, a modern Noh piece telling the story of Crazy Horse, featuring Nomura, Okura, Takizawa, Native American performers and Theatre of Yugen actors. (Okura has spent much time playing with Native American musicians, and is associated with AIM founder Dennis Banks.) Nomura will dance a shimai from the Noh play TAKASAGO, and Yugen actors will perform the Kyogen comedy THE MELON THIEF. Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Main Library, Grove Street, off Hyde and Market. Free, (415) 621-0507; www.theatreofyugen.org
(On Saturday, June 19, at 4 p. m., Theatre of Yugen will perform 'The Melon Thief,' with a musical interlude by Shinosuke Okura and Narumi Takizawa at the Santa Cruz Japanese Cultural Fair.
And Tuesday, June 22, at 7-8 p. m. at Noh Space, another special event:
Acclaimed playwright and performer--co-founder of Berkeley's Blake Street Hawkeyes--John O'Keefe's performance work on themes from Japanese theater and myth, MYSTICAL ABYSS, directed by Yugen founder Yuriko Doi. Free.)