Enlarge Taiko drum performance by Matsuriza.

Posted: August 3rd, 2010 James Willamor

Charlotte’s connection to Japan goes well beyond the many upscale sushi restaurants in the city. The importance of our cultural and economic ties were evident at the Charlotte Bon Odori festival Saturday, July 31, at the Wachovia atrium on Tryon Street.

“Today we celebrate the 26th year of the [Charlotte] Bon Odori festival,” said Nobuharu Mizuno, chairman of the Japanese Association in Charlotte. “(It) has become one of the biggest and most popular Japanese summer festivals in the United States. The goal of this festival is to promote cultural exchange between USA and Japan.”

Consul General of Japan, Takuji Hanatani, was on hand to explain the meaning of the Bon Odori festival. “In Japan, the summer festival is one of the most important holidays. People travel back to their home towns to visit their families and to remember loved one who have passed away. In the evening, entire communities gather to dance the Bon Odori.”

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Posted: August 2nd, 2010 James Willamor

A crowd gathered on the Tryon Street sidewalk as passersby pulled out their cell phones, taking photos and video. The rain had just stopped and Anthony “Tron” Robinson was spinning furiously on his head. A few seconds later, Joseph “Kwzt1” Kotay jumped onto the makeshift linoleum dance floor in front of Belk Theater. Behind them stood a handful of dancers who each took turns showing off their breakdance and hip hop moves over the course of several hours Saturday afternoon.

“July 31st has been proposed as National Dance Day,” said Donell Stines, director of Create Don’t Hate productions. Stines helped put the event together. “Blumenthal was in full support of the day, and they’ve allowed us to be here. It’s kind of a community day to just celebrate--to lay out the linoleum and have a jam.”

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