Let's Dance!
         Have you been looking for a new hobby, one that lets you meet new people, get exercise and have fun, all at the same time? Why not try taking one of the wide variety of dance classes available in Kyoto and the Kansai area? Please note: All information is accurate as of the time this article was written. You may wish to confirm dates and times. Please be aware that some of these classes are conducted in Japanese only.

◆BUTOH
Butoh is a style of Japanese avant-garde dance that emerged in the early 1960's, focusing on physical expression of intense emotions. Well-known Butoh performer Ken Mai holds bimonthly three hour butoh workshops in Kyoto (resuming Sept. 2004). English and Japanese are spoken. Call or email for more information.
Workshop dates for September: Sun.12.Sep and Sun.26.Sep, 13:00- 16:00
Fee: \3,000 per workshop (\2,000 for students)
Access: Ichijoji Shukaisho in Ichijoji Sakyo-Ku
Phone: 075-712-5346
E-mail: kenmaibutoh@hotmail.com

◆SALSA DANCE
Salsa is a type of partner-dance from South America that has gained popularity in the United States and Japan. Cafe Rumbita is a Latin-style bar with a dance floor that is one of the best places to go Salsa dancing in Kyoto. Cafe Rumbita offers lessons both afternoons and evenings in a variety of Salsa styles (Cuban, New York, LA etc.) and levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced, movement), as well as a weekly Argentine Tango class. Class prices range from \1,000-\2,000. Once you've learned some moves you can practice at nightly salsa parties (no cover charge if you've paid for two lessons).
Access: Cafe Rumbita, east of Kawaramachi on Rokkaku Dori, Shizuya Building 3F (Near Sanjo Keihan Station)
Phone: 075-212-1504 (Japanese)
Monthly schedule featuring courses at Cafe Rumbita: http://calendar.yahoo.co.jp/YYY,cd7ed9/srt,0/majin0322/?v=2&t=1091879959
Cafe Rumbita Website: http://www.rumbita.jp
Gallery B Life Cafe also offers a twice monthly salsa event called "Crazy Salsa in Kyoto", featuring free Salsa dance lessons.
Dates: 7 Aug. (Sat.), 28 Aug. (Sat.) 21:00-
Entrance Fee: Men\1000(w/\50drink discount), Ladies\500(w/\100drink discount)
Access: East of Kawaramachi on Takoyakushi Dori, basement of Rekusu bldg., close to Hankyu Kawaramachi Station and Maruzen Bookstore.
Phone: 075-241-7803

◆SWING DANCE
Swing Dance is a style of American dance from the 1930's and 1940's that is experiencing a revival across the world. Kansai Swing aficionado Charlie Nishio has recently opened a Swing Dance studio and night club in Osaka called "Swing Week", featuring nightly swing dance workshops: Lindyhop, Jive, Jitterbug Stroll, seniors class, etc. Swing workshops in Kyoto may be available in the future as well. Instruction in Japanese, beginners welcome.
Schedule: 1 hour lessons nightly from 8pm, classes vary per day
Class fee: \1,000
Access: 1-12-19,Shinmachi, Nishi-Ku, Osaka 5 Min. walk from subway Honmachi Station, west of Osaka Kosei Nenkin Kaikan
Phone: 06-6533-3645 (Japanese only)
Website: http://www15.ocn.ne.jp/~swing/
Email: swingweek@hotmail.com

◆MODERN DANCE
The Kyo Ryu Kan Dance, Music and Theatre School is an international dance studio featuring lessons in a wide variety of dance types: Ballet, Yoga, Belly Dance, Hip Hop, Capoeira, Children's Classes etc. Trial lesson \1,000. Call for detailed prices and schedules. English spoken.
Phone: 075-213-0288 (English/Japanese)
Access: 657 Shokokuji Monzen-cho 3F, Kamigyo-ku Kyoto 8min west of Subway Imadegawa, 15min east of Keihan Demachiyanagi Station
Website: http://www.kyoryukan.com

◆INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE
Instructor Tomiko Daya has studied Indian Classical dance for 30 years and teaches the ancient South Indian classical dance form of Bharata Nathyam at her studio near Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto. Some English spoken.
Fee: Initial enrollment fee \5,000, monthly fee \10,000 (four classes)
Access: Kyoto City Bus to Kitano Tenmangu Mae (call for directions)
Phone: 075-464-1728

◆TRADITIONAL JAPANESE DANCE
Traditional Theatre Training, founded by Dr. Jonah Saltz in 1984, is an organization devoted to teaching Japanese traditional arts to non-Japanese people. TTT offers a variety of courses and intensive seminars in English including Noh, Kyogen, Nihon Buyo (traditional dance) etc. Please refer to the website for more information.
Phone: 0775-43-7875
Website: http://www.janvier.com/janvier/other_links/web/ttt/
Email: jonah@world.ryukoku.ac.jp
Hinoki No Kai is a non-profit organization devoted to preserving the Japanese traditional arts. A free trial class (shamisen and dance) is offered on the third Sunday of each month. Please contact Hinoki No Kai to apply. Classical music and dance courses are offered three times a month, and require both registration and monthly fees. Please note that instruction is in Japanese only.
Phone: 075-525-0803 (Japanese only)
Website: http://hinokinokai.or.jp/entertainment/index.html
Email: BDS03240@nifty.com

-Compiled by Bianca Jarvis

Would you like the chance to learn about Japanese Culture in a hands-on environment? The Kyoto Co-op Culture School offers low cost culture classes that are open to foreigners and Japanese alike. You can observe these classes for free before deciding to participate, so why not check it out? Please contact the number listed below for detailed information about applications and class times and locations call the number listed, or visit their webpage.

◆Ceramics (Beginner)
Instructor: OOTA Sadakuni
Location: Arashiyama Classroom
Fee: \4,000 monthly fee plus materials fee (no enrollment fee) Meets twice per month, each session is 2 hours.

◆Tea Ceremony (Urasenke)
Instructor: OKUDA Soukun
Location: Murasakino Classroom (Instructors home in Murasakino Wakakusa Cho)
Fee: \3,000 enrollment fee, \4,000 monthly fee Meets twice a month 14:00-17:00

◆Calligraphy
Instructor: KANASAKA Saika
Location: Co-Op Nijo Station
Shop Fee: \1,000 enrollment fee, \2,500 monthly fee Meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 13:30-15:30

◆Pressed Flowers
Instructor: HASHIMOTO Hitomi
Location: Co-Op Nijo Station
Shop Fee: \2,000 enrollment fee, \4,000 monthly fee Meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 10:00-12:00

For more information contact:
Co-op Culture Center: Kyoto Cultural Affairs Center, Cultural Affairs Department
Address: 〒617-0002 Muko City, Teradocho Dencho 37-1
Hours: 10:00-17:00 (Closed Sat., Sun. and Holidays)
Phone: 075-921-0712
Fax: 075-921-0724
Email: culture@kyoto.co-op.jp
Website: http://www.kyotocoop.net/coop/bunji/culture/culture.html

-M. Okamoto