Vicksburg, Michigan
Pysanky Ukrainian Eggs
About Our Destination Series
The VCAC created the Destination Series in 2016 to immerse southern Kalamazoo County in another culture through arts, tradition, storytelling, and food, increasing global awareness and understanding. Our audiences have "visited" Ukraine, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, rural America, Scandinavia, Venezuela, and most recently, Japan.
Various art exhibits, cooking demonstrations, hands-on crafts, games, literary works, authentic meals, live music, and panel discussions have infused the community with knowledge and a deeper appreciation for these cultures.
Destination Japan - Fall 2022
Bonsai Tree Demonstration
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Noon – 1 pm
Vicksburg District Library, 215 S. Michigan Avenue, Vicksburg
FREE
Eric Newton from the Bonsai Society of Kalamazoo has been creating bonsai since 2002. Join him for this workshop to learn how bonsai are made. Some trees will be available for purchase at the demonstration.
Japanese Woodblock Printmaking Demonstration
Saturday, September 17, 2022
1:30 – 2:45 pm
101 S. Main Street, Vicksburg
Charles Woodruff Coates, Block Paper Print
FREE
Join us for a demonstration of the Japanese woodblock printing process with Charles Woodruff Coates, owner of Block Paper Print, LLC. Charles has taught since 2006 and holds an MFA in Printmaking and a Japanese Woodblock Instructor Certificate from MI-LAB in Tokyo.
Learn How to Play “Go” – an Asian Strategy Game
Saturday, September 17, 2022
2– 5 pm (drop-in hours)
107 S. Main Street, Vicksburg
FREE
Want to learn how to play Go—an Asian strategy game invented more than 2500 years ago? Members of the Kalamazoo Go Club will be on hand to teach anyone of all ages how to play.
Claudio Mendoza, Kalamazoo Go Club.
Manga Drawing Workshops
Saturday, September 17, 2022
3 – 4 pm
4:15 – 5:15 pm
Gilbert and Ivy Bookstore, 111 W. Prairie, Vicksburg
FREE
Space is limited to 10 per session.
Relax and explore drawing in the manga style found in Japanese comic books and graphic novels. Graphic Designer Amelia Brown (Schoolcraft) will lead the class. You can see examples of her work at
How to Make Sushi Workshops
Saturday, September 17, 2022
4:30 – 5:15 pm
5:30 – 6:15 pm
101 S. Main Street, Vicksburg
$5 to make sushi; FREE to watch in the audience
Michiko Yoshimoto, the Japan Program manager at WMU’s Soga Japan Center will teach you how to roll sushi. (We’ll use vegetable-based sushi for this program.)
*Registration is required to make sushi because the hands-on portion of this class is limited to 10.
Theatre Nohgaku: An Introduction to Japanese Noh Theater
Friday, September 30, 2022
7 pm (Doors open at 6:30)
Schoolcraft High School Auditorium, 551 E. Lyons Street, Schoolcraft
$10
*Buy tickets online to guarantee yourself a seat.
Tickets are also available at the door.
To learn more about the performance, click HERE
Performers
David Crandall is a composer, playwright, and performer who studied noh chant and dance with noh master Hajime Sano and has worked professionally at the Hosho Noh Theatre in Tokyo. He is a founding member of Theatre Nohgaku.
Matthew Dubroff is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. Since 1990 has studied Kita-style noh as well as nohkan flute, ôtsuzumi, kotsuzumi, and taiko. He is an actor, director, producer, a founding member of Theatre Nohgaku, and a teacher of Tai Ji and Alexander Technique.
Gary Mathews has taught at Berkeley, San Francisco State, North Carolina School of the Arts, and North Carolina State. Also a student of classical ballet, he began his study of Kita-style noh with Richard Emmert in 2000 and is a founding member of Theatre Nohgaku.
Jubilith Moore is a performer, director, writer, teaching artist, and producer who has studied noh and kyogen extensively with master teachers. She was Artistic Director of Theatre of Yugen from 2001-14 and is a founding member of Theatre Nohgaku.
Programs
Our program will feature five shorter performances that will be prefaced by instruction from the company. Following the presentations, we invite you to join us for a reception where you can meet the performers and see the costumes, masks, and instruments up close.
1. Dance from the Noh Kantan
A young man name Rosei, who has left his home to seek enlightenment, stops at an inn where the innkeeper invites him to sleep on the miraculous Pillow of Kantan. In his ensuing dream, the young man is appointed the emperor of China and lives a life of unrivaled splendor
2. Otoko-mai Instrumental Dance featuring nohkan flute, kotsuzumi shoulder drum, and Ōtsuzumi hip drum
Instrumental dances are an important component of many noh. The otoko-mai (literally, “man dance”), with its upbeat tempo, is usually performed in plays belonging to the Warrior category.
3. Excerpt from the Noh Sumidagawa (Sumida River)
One of the most poignant pieces in the noh repertory, Sumida River depicts the grief of a widowed woman driven mad when her son is stolen by slave traders.
4. Tama no Dan (Jewel Section) from the Noh Ama (The Diver)
The ghost of a rustic diver recounts the agreement she made with her lover, a court noble, to retrieve a jewel that was stolen by the Dragon King and locked away in a tower under the sea. In exchange for the jewel, the noble agrees to confer an aristocratic title on their son despite his common heritage.
5. Celebratory Excerpt from the Noh Takasago (Takasago)
This brief excerpt is often chanted at celebrations such as weddings or as a concluding coda for auspicious performances.
Text: (Translated by David Crandall)
The Dance of a Thousand Autumns
comforts the people
The Dance of Ten Thousand Years
extends our lives
Wind rustling through paired pines
raises voices of joy
Yes, rustling voices bring us joy!
Regional Go Tournament
Hosted by the Kalamazoo Go Club
Saturday, October 1, 2022
9 am to 6 pm
101 S. Main Street, Vicksburg
$20
If you would like to participate in this AGA-sanctioned tournament, register at the link below.
Destination Japan Sponsors
Thank you for your support!