BON Fest Chicago シカゴ盆踊りフェスティバル

BON Fest Chicago | 盆フェスト・シカゴ

Saturday, July 31st – 8PM | www.twitch.tv/japaneseartsfoundation

The Japanese Art Foundation and Culture Center in partnership with the Chicago Parks District, Tsukasa Taiko and Shubukai invite you to the inaugural BON Fest Chicago. Join us virtually Saturday, July 31st at 8:00pm for taiko drumming, bon odori dancing, and festivities in Chicago’s historical Garden of the Phoenix in Jackson Park. The BON Fest Chicago is entirely virtual this year, but will expand to welcome everyone in the years to come!

An Obon Matsuri / Bon Festival is traditionally held in the peak heat of summer when space between the natural and the supernatural world is thinnest. This is a time when individuals come together to remember ancestors and those lost as a community. As we continue to process the tremendous loss from the COVID-19 pandemic, we welcome our community to come together through the arts. Traditionally, Bon Odori dancing is performed by those in attendance to welcome spirits, though each community and region has their own style of dance and music.

With the support of the Bon Odori Association of Japan, Asian Improv aRts Midwest and Shubukai’s Fujima Yoshinojo, we will host virtual Bon Odori dance lessons on 3 Tuesdays in July leading up to the fest so you can join in from home!

Register for one or all three classes HERE!

The night begins with global guests sharing their local Obon Festival traditions, memories, and community. Guests include Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago Kenichi Okada, Fujima Kimiei of Shizuoka, Japan, Atsushi Koike of Mitsuwa, Arlington Heights, Melody Takata of GenRyu Arts San Francisco, and more!

We then stream from the Garden of the Phoenix in Jackson Park at dusk with Tsukasa Taiko performances, and Bon Odori dancing by Shubukai that you can join remotely from home! This FREE event will stream to the Japanese Arts Foundation Twitch channel where we will be live chatting with everyone!