Friday, August 16 - Sunday, August 18, 2024
Sado Island, Niigata Pref., is attracting the most attention now that the " Sado Island Gold Mines" has been listed as a "World Cultural Heritage" site.
Earth Celebration, a summer feature on Sado Island, is a music festival held by the Taiko performing arts group "Kodo" and the city of Sado to connect the world with the rich natural environment of Sado Island. "Kodo", which is based on Sado Island and has been developing international activities, pursues a "new global culture" through musical and cultural exchanges with artists and festival participants it has met in various locations.
what can I enjoy at Earth Celebration (EC )?
(1) Open-air concerts immersed in exciting music
The main event is an outdoor concert (Harbor Concert) held during the three-day period. Enjoy the music spun by "Kodo" and artists from Japan and abroad amidst the sound of waves and under the sunset and starlit sky. The sensation of nature and music becoming one is a heart-shaking experience. For those who find that their bodies naturally start to dance, a dance area is also available.
(2) Variety of workshops
Various experiences are available depending on the year, including singing, dancing, and musical instruments by overseas guests, taiko drums and instruments by "Kodo", and Sado Island's performing arts such as Onidaiko and Ogi Okesa, domestic local performing arts, and manufacturing experiences.
(3) Free fringe stage
Earth Celebration calls the free performances "Fringe" as a general term. The park in the festival area will be the venue for special Fringe performances by artists and groups invited by Earth Celebration, and Fringe performances by groups selected from the general public.
*"Fringe" means "something on the periphery" and is a reference to the events held at the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland. In Edinburgh, there are numerous paid and free performances, both professional and amateur, throughout the city during the festival.
4) Nature and Activities on Sado Island
In Sado Island, visitors can enjoy many activities in the midst of nature. In 2024, visitors will be able to experience programs unique to Sado Island with its beautiful sea, such as 【Cave tour by high-speed motorboat】, 【Sea kayaking experience】, 【Sunset and nighttime experience on a tarai boat】, and 【Picking gold dust at the Gold Park】.
(5) Eating & Shopping
There are a variety of places to enjoy food and shopping in EC’s festival area! Each place has its own attractive features.
The first is Harbor Market. Located next to the concert venue, it is lined with restaurants, clothing and general merchandise stores from Sado and around the world. The variety of products, each with its own unique character, is exciting just to look at.
6) Various events planned by Kodo members
KODO MEMBERS ARE ALSO ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING AND PRODUCTION OF EC. EXHIBITIONS OF PHOTOS TAKEN BY KODO MEMBERS, PARTICIPATORY PARADES THROUGH THE OGI SHOPPING DISTRICT, LIVE INTERNET RADIO BROADCASTS, AND OTHER EVENTS OFFER A DIFFERENT SIDE TO THE KODO EXPERIENCE THAN WHEN SEEN ON STAGE.
About the Taiko Performing Arts Group "Kodo"
"Kodo" is Japan’s internationally acclaimed taiko performing arts ensemble. Since its powerful debut at Berliner Festspiele in 1981, "Kodo" has given over 7,000 performances in over 50 countries and regions. This is the highest number of international performances for any Japanese professional performing arts company, an achievement recognized when Kodo received the 2023 Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award. , "Kodo" received the 2023 Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award. Exploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, "Kodo" is forging new directions for a vibrant living art-form. In addition to its theater performances, "Kodo" enjoys connecting with school children across Japan through its ongoing “School Workshop Performance” tours. The ensemble also participates in a wide range of projects and events, which includes headlining major international festivals, contributing to motion picture soundtracks, and collaborating with leading artists and composers from myriad genres—world music, classical, jazz, rock, and dance to name a few. Kodo's willingness to challenge preconceptions of music continues to produce startling new fusion and forms. The group’s creative activities, mission, and lifestyle based on Sado Island constantly garner attention from the global arts world and inspire artists in diverse fields.
Taiko Performing Arts Group "Kodo" Official Site
