Fantastic Okinawa St. Patrick's Day Niutu Umachii reaches to roots of Okinawan music T he Rinken Band, one of Okinawa’s most popular teams of musicians, is leading stage performanc- es of more than a dozen artists at the 3rd Niutu Umachii, called “ Meet the Root Music of Ryukyu”. This weekend’ s Niutu Umachii takes place at the open space on the first floor of Koza Music Town in Okinawa City. The program begins at 5 p.m. and runs to 8 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. The event provides an opportunity for audience members to join musi- cians on stage to perform popular Okinawan songs together. Participation from the crowd is available to those who can play guitar or shamisen as well as to those who would like to sing and dance. Participants are required to apply in advance, in Japanese only. Rinken Band, Sonda Eisa and the Okinawa City Association of Performing Arts Organizations perform both Saturday and Sunday. Others on stage Saturday are Koichi Kamiya, Hajime Nakasone, Akane Murayoshi, and Hikari. On Sunday, Shuken Maekawa per- forms, along with Tatsuya Shimabukuro, Kozue Chinen, Awase-Chondara and Zakimi Bo. The Niutu Umachii comes on the heels of Rinken Band’s travel to Paris in December for a two-day concert. The performance was held to promote the annual Niutu Umachii event, which is produced by Rinken Band leader Rinken Teruya. The Rinken Band, formed in 1977, was a hit with Parisians who were thrilled with the spirited sounds of Eisa drums. Tomoko Uehara, one of Okinawa’s best known vocalists, showed off her powerful and soothing voice, lead- ing to an encore. Ryukyu music has its roots in the islands, pulling together the power of nature and spirituality of ancestors. The shamanic world is still alive here, and there are ritu- als of agriculture and fishing, in which people pray for fertility and peace that give their lives the rhythm of Hare and Ke, the unusual and the usual. They’re the keys to gaining tranquility and a well-grounded life on the island. The Ryukyu interpretation of music brings Ni-Utu, the root music, together to sing songs of joy, reunion and togetherness. Chuo Park Avenue goes green for St. Patrick’s Day T he 9th Saint Patrick’s Day 2015 and the 14th Kanaderu Park street music program take center stage Sunday as Okinawa tests the mystic power of the Green, and the luck of the Irish. St. Patrick’s Day, the largest event in Ireland, will be celebrated at Chuo Park Avenue in Okinawa City, from 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, as everyone puts on Irish national color green and will march on Chuo Park Avenue, Sunday afternoon. At the same time, the 14th Kanaderu Park street music program will take place as a co-event at the three points around the site. Performers from professionals to local students will entertain. The expected parade participants are ‘what’s up Akemi dance school’, Hula and belly dance group, Philippines bamboo dance and Mexican dance group. The parade kicks off at 3 p.m. following open- ing ceremonies, running about an hour, while the festival activities are in progress until 8 p.m. Admission is free. The Kanaderu Park programs begin at 4 p.m., following the parade. Eisa syncs with green very well. Folklorico de Mexico participates. Niutu Umachii event goes right to the roots of Okinawan music at the free musical extravaganza at Koza Music Town Saturday and Sunday. Mar. 12, 2015 - Mar. 18, 2015 www.japanupdate.com ¥150 Fantastic Okinawa Local News Classifieds Okinawan Culture Weather JU Weekly Raffle Events this week English Lesson Horoscope Recipe