Yosakoi event promises lots of fun

Ninjas, dainty geishas, nightmarish monsters, Cosplay characters, Japanese drummers and cultural dancers will thrill all for the first Penang Yosakoi Parade.

“Visitors can look forward to a ninja castle with an obstacle course, and a haunted house,” said organising chairman Emi Yamazaki. “We have also prepared the kingyo sukui, a popular Japanese goldfish scooping game.” The parade on Jan 19 will start in Beach Street and end at the Esplanade.

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It will feature 350 dancers from over 30 Penang dance teams performing cultural street dances to hip modern hits for the public. Yamazaki said a carnival featuring Penang art and craft, local and Japanese cuisine, and fun Japanese games would also be held at the Esplanade.

Yosakoi, which literally means ‘come at night’, has been Japan’s celebrated annual street dance event for more than 70 years. Yosakoi-style dancing is a fusion of cultural performances to the beat of modern music.

The event in the Kochi Prefecture of Shikoku Island attracts over 35,000 dancers and a million visitors every year. “We are bringing the parade to Penang for the first time to share this unique Japanese tradition with Penangites,” said Yamazaki.

The event begins at 10am with remote control helicopter demonstrations. From 4pm, the carnival and games begin at the Esplanade while the parade starts at 8pm.

The public can watch a high intensity video projection, stage performances and Japanese tea ceremony demonstrations. They can also go on horse carriage rides and take part in a colouring competition.

“The public can buy cash coupons in advance, and they will also be eligible for a lucky draw, with two return tickets to Japan worth RM8,000 as the grand prize,” Yamazaki said.

The parade is organised by Pink Hibiscus Club together with the Japanese Consulate, Penang Municipal Council and Penang Global Tourism. For details, visit penangyosakoiparade.com.

-thestar online.