TONARI—Fusion of Film, Dance, and Jazz beyond Borders (Recap)

Who knew that Tokyo and San Francisco can connect through space, film, contemporary dance, and jazz!?

Together with Executive Producer Sophia Noel, Band Leader Akira Tana, and director Ben Tarquin, Asia Society Japan collaborated to seek and explore new ways for performing arts to connect beyond borders, cultures, and generations.

It was a true cultural collaboration pushing the boundaries. Choreographer Sophia Noel and Sayuri Hirayama danced fusing Hip-Hop, Salsa, Swing, ballet, and Japanese classical dance to Japanese children’s classics performed by the Akira Tana and the Otonowa Band. Iwasaki Hall at the International House of Japan was transformed into a vibrant energetic arena complete with a stage and a runway infused with lights. Together the performers and guests were able to take down barriers and push forward something extraordinary.

Please see the photo highlight from the performance in Tokyo.

Sawako Hidaka, Asia Society Japan Executive Director greets the guests

Akina Tana and the Otonowa Band kicks off the performance.

Executive Producer and choreographer Sophia Noel and choreographer Sayuri Hirayama opens the performance to the music of Mura Matsuri performed by Akira Tana and the Otonowa Band.

Sophia Noel and Sayuri Hirayama dance to Sakura Sakura

Sophia Noel on stage and Sayuri Hirayama on runway

Choreographer Sayuri Hirayama’s interpretation of Defune

Sophia Noel and Sayuri Hirayama dance to Akatombo with Masu Koga on saxophone

Sophia Noel and Sayuri Hirahara enters as Akira Tana on drums and Ken Okada on bass kicks off Taiyo

Sophia Noel and Sayuri Hirayama grooves to the tune of Taiyo a familiar Japanese detective drama, Taiyo ni Hoero.

Full cast on stage after the performance

Talk show with Executive Producer Sophia Noel, Akira Tana and moderated by Jesper Koll

Akira Tana explains the music selection and his heritage and as a Japanese American. Majority of the music were Japanese children’s classics that you grow up listening but being raised in the U.S., he first heard it as an adult. — Akira Tana explains the music selection and his Japanese American heritage. Most of the music performed was Japanese children’s classics that you grow up listening to, but being raised in the U.S., he first heard it as an adult.

Sophia Noel explains her inspiration behind TONARI

Akira Tana and the Otonowa Band. From left, Akira Tana (drums), Masu Koga (saxophone), Art Hirahara (piano), Ken Okada (bass), Eddie Mendenall (piano understudy)

Sayuri Hirahara, Akira Tana and Sophia Noel

Sayuri Hirahara, Akira Tana, Sophia Noel and director Ben Tarquin