What's on
Japan Fest is coming to Swadlincote for the first time, hosted inside the Festival of Leisure at Maurice Lea Memorial Park by the South Derbyshire District Council. This celebration marks the 25-year partnership between Derbyshire and Toyota City in Japan. This event promises to be a memorable one.
Passionate and motivated individuals have meticulously crafted this event to bring a small taste of Japan to South Derbyshire. One of the main highlights of this Japan Fest will be a performance by Aki, an incredibly talented individual who will be playing the Koto, one of Japan’s most traditional instruments. This type of performance is a rare sight to behold in the west, and audiences are in for a treat.
In addition to the Koto performance, there will be a rare chance to witness Taiko drummers in action. Along with this, the festival will feature performances from DJ Manimal, who weaves anime music and video together, and LELE, a skilled musician who focuses on singing in both English and Japanese. LELE has been performing professionally for 8 years in the UK, Australia, and Japan.
Another singer who will be taking the stage is LG English, the only British singer of Japanese Enka, a genre of Japanese folk music. Lastly, Jero11, a contemporary artist who combines traditional Japanese sounds with modern music using the guitar and the Shamisen, will also be performing.
Japan Fest – Festival of Leisure will also feature a variety of activities, such as Origami, Kimono wearing, Japanese quizzes, a Japanese style cafe, Traditional Kabuki face painting, GO board game sessions, Manga drawing and Sumo Suit Wrestling! Visitors can also explore handpicked stalls that fully embrace the Japanese cultural theme.
The festival hopes to cater to the Japanese community within the area, whether part of Toyota or not, and create an environment where people of all ages can enjoy a day immersed in a culture that is otherwise difficult to engage with. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to experience a taste of Japan in South Derbyshire.
Location: Maurice Lea Memorial Park (Common Rd, Church Gresley, Swadlincote DE11 9NW)
Time: 11:30am – 5pm
Date: 24/06/23
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