Utayabira, Wuduyabira
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歌やびら、踊やびら
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Ryūkyūan performing arts concert
featuring music, dance, and taiko groups from across Southern California! |
ABOUTOn Sunday, May 18th, 2:00 p.m., the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will bring the sights, sounds, and spirit of the Ryūkyū Islands to the James R. Armstrong Theatre in Torrance, CA. Titled Utayabira, Wuduyabira – which means "let's sing, let's dance" in Uchinaaguchi (one of the native Okinawan languages) – this biennial concert is one of the only recurring events in Los Angeles that focuses on the performing arts of Okinawa. This is also one of the rare opportunities in Los Angeles to see Ryūkyūan performing arts in a theatre setting. The opening numbers are set against a grand image of Shuri Castle – the central headquarters of the former Ryūkyū Kingdom – while other performances utilize the theatre’s beautiful lighting and backdrops. The dancers will be in full makeup and traditional wardrobe and musicians will don their finest garments. The central instruments will be the sanshin, kutu, and deeku. The sanshin is a 3-stringed lute that is commonly recognized for its snakeskin covering. The kutu (“koto” in Japanese) is a 13-stringed zither known for its harp-like sound. The deeku (“taiko” in Japanese) are drums used in various styles of music, from classical and folk performances to the dynamic modern dances of the Ryūkyūkoku Matsuri Daiko group. The rustic sounds of these ancient instruments along with the dancers’ resplendent costumes perfectly capture the essence of Okinawa’s scenery: its lush forests, vast farmlands, and gorgeous blue waters. The majority of the songs are written and sung in the indigenous Ryūkyūan languages, which have been designated as "definitely" and "severely" endangered by UNESCO. While the majority of native speakers in Okinawa are seniors, there are language revitalization efforts in and outside of Okinawa. Utayabira is organized by the OAA’s Geinō-bu (Performing Arts Committee), a group that was formed by Okinawan immigrants who wished to perpetuate the traditional performing arts for future generations. Even though Okinawan performances in Los Angeles date back to the early 1900s, this official group was formed in 1987 and united over 20 groups and schools at the time. This will be the Geinō-bu’s first concert since 2019. 2025 also marks milestones for a number of member groups: the Tamagusuku Ryu Kansen Atae no Kai dance group’s 40th anniversary and Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Los Angeles Branch’s 30th anniversary. It’s also the 85th anniversary of the Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyo Kai koto group in Okinawa (their Los Angeles branch is part of Geinō-bu). The James R. Armstrong Theatre is located at 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA 90503. Doors open at 1:30. Tickets (general admission) are $30 each and can be purchased through performers or OAA office: (310) 532-1929, [email protected]. Any remaining tickets will also be sold at the door from 1 to 2 p.m. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)ACCESSIBILITY & SPECIAL NEEDS
CAN I RESERVE SEATS?
No – Seating is first come, first served. If you would like to arrive early, doors open at 1:30 p.m. WHERE CAN I PARK?
There is plenty of free parking at the center, including several charging spaces. (From the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation website) WILL THERE BE FOOD?
No – Food or drinks will not be for sale. CAN I BRING MY PET?
No – Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on site. IS MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED TO ATTEND?
No – This event is open to the public! |
PERFORMERS
(Subject to change without notice)
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KOTEN ONGAKU 古典音楽 CLASSICAL MUSIC
Ryukyu Koten Nomura Ryu Ongaku Kyokai Hokubei Shibu (Uta-Sanshin) Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyokai Los Angeles Shibu (Koto) Mitsufumi Ryu Taiko Hozonkai Gushi Atsushi Renjo (Taiko) RYŪBU 琉舞 RYŪKYŪAN DANCE Majikina Honryu Aigen no Kai Miyagi Ryu Nosho Kai Miyagi Ryu Toyomu Kai Tamagusuku Ryu Kansen Atae no Kai MINYŌ 民謡 FOLK MUSIC Adaniya Kazumi Ryukyu Minyo Kenkyusho Ishihara Haruo Ryukyu Minyo Kenkyusho Kinjo Masanobu Ryukyu Minyo Kenkyusho Nishikawa Atsuko Ryukyu Minyo Kenkyusho Uezu Yoko Ryukyu Minyo Kenkyusho CONTEMPORARY Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Los Angeles Branch |
Help us share the beautiful
performings art of Okinawa!
performings art of Okinawa!
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
ボランティアが必要 None of our activities would be possible without the time and effort of dedicated volunteers! (Service hours available for students)
Please contact the OAA office at oaamensore [@] gmail [.] com |
MAKE A DONATION
寄付する Your tax-deductible monetary donation will help with offsetting necessary expenses that make this event possible! Please send a check or money order to:
16500 S. Western Ave. #103 Gardena, CA 90247 (PAYABLE TO OAA GEINO-BU) |