About Dance Space

 

The Yumi Dance Company (Dance Space) is made up of youth between the ages of 12 and 18. The program blends traditional Japanese dance with jazz and is suitable for all ages. Dance Space incorporates Western culture dance (such as ballet and jazz) with the Eastern style expression of the body. Their dance focuses heavily on the Western style, but it is adapted to the Japanese environment - specifically the Yamagata environment. Yamagata is surrounded by the mountains and is physically and spiritually "isolated." In this climate their hearts are deepened spiritually from the presence of the ancient divines. Dance has an amazing way of portraying deep meanings and connecting cultures, while at the same time it is the language of the body common all over the world - that needs no words.

16th Annual Japan-American Grassroots Summit

From September 7th thru the 10th of 2006, the Koshares participated in the 16th Annual Japan-American Grassroots Summit hosted by the State of Colorado. During this time, groups traveling from Japan began their summit in Colorado Springs. After the formal opening of the event the Japanese groups were sent to all parts of the state. The Koshare Indian Dancers hosted the largest group -- more than thirty members from Dance Space of Yamagata Japan. In La Junta, Dance Space members stayed in the homes of the Koshare Indian Dancers. The two groups spent the next three days getting to know each other. During Early Settlers Day the two groups particpated in the parade. Dance Space performed the hana gasa along the parade route with the Koshares following behind them performing their Native dances.; On September 9th the two groups participated in a joint show at the Koshare Kiva. In the show a few members of each group particpated in the others dances.

On Sunday, September 10th it was time to say good-bye to our new friends and families from Dance Space. Tears filled the eyes of many members from both groups and we knew that this should not be a final good-bye. Due to their particapation in the Grassroots Summit the Koshares were invited to participate in the 17th Annual Grassroots Summit in Japan in 2007. From this invite the Koshares decided that a trip would be made to meet up with Dance Space in Yamagata the following year. With such a short time to raise the money for the trip the Koshares managed to send a twenty member group to represent the Koshares at the 2007 Grassroots Summit. On June 4, 2007, twenty Koshares and leader left for three weeks to tour Japan and to meet with Dance Space.

Koshares Visit Japan

On June 12, the Koshares once again met up with the Dance Space group. For the next six days the Koshares share be a part of Dance Space's everyday life as the Koshares live in the homes of Dance Space Members. The two groups performed several joint performances in the Yamagata area with the largest performance being on the Noh Stage at Tohoku University of Art and Design. The performance with Dance Space would be called the Mogami River and the theme was the importance of the river to sustain life. The two groups would perform their last show in Yamagata for the 2007 Yamagata Kaleidoscope Festival. After the show the groups gathered for a group picnic. For many members this would be the last time they would see the Koshares, as the Koshares were off to Shonai the next day for the Children's Music Festival. However, many members of Dance Space would go with the Koshares to the festival for the final joint performance with the groups.

The Final Collaboration

At the Music Festival the two groups were a hit, but they knew it was the last performance together. After the Dance Space members did their part in the Commanche Dance, tears filled their eyes as they realized it was about time to say good-bye. The groups had their final laughs at the farewell dinner that night, but once again the two groups resolved to meet again. In 2008, both groups participated in the 5th Annual Children's Music Festival. The celebration highlighted the Seventy-Fifth Anniversay of the Koshare Indian Dancers. But the groups were really just happy to meet each other once again and to perform as Dance Space and the Koshares.

See Also

Japan Tour Day Eight

Japan Tour Day Nine

Japan Tour Day Ten

Japan Tour Day Eleven

Japan Tour Day Twelve

16th Annual Japan American Grassroots Summit

Pictures

   2006

Dance Space Performs Hana Gasa in Early Settlers Day Parade (09/09/2006)

Yumi Kato Performs in the Koshare Kiva (09/09/2006)

Dance Space Ends a Dance with Damatic Scene (09/09/2006)

Yoshiko Takahashi Starts Off Joint Performance (09/09/2006)

Final Group Photo in La Junta (09/10/2006)

   2007

Koshares & Dance Space Group Photo (06/17/2007)

Yoshie and Kana Ishikawa at the Picnic (06/17/2007)

Jeremy Manyik, Yumi Kato, Tyler Trumble and Jimmy McKnight (06/17/2007)

Brandon Rains and Kurumi Suzuki (06/17/2007)