Gathering to discuss plans for this year’s Nisei Week Festival are, from left, President Helen Ota, Choreographer Bando Hidesomi and Board Member James Okazaki.
By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
The 83rd Nisei Week Festival is fast approaching, with Opening Ceremonies set for July 13 and events running Aug. 9-17.
In preparation for the Grand Parade and Closing Ceremonies, rehearsals for the public ondo will begin Tuesday, July 15, in the spacious plaza at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro St. in Little Tokyo.
Practices will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 15, 17, 22, and 24, with a final tune-up on July 29. Rehearsals begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.
Videos of the rehearsals will also be posted on YouTube for practice at home.
This year’s selection of dances is being coordinated by a group of instructors led by the 2025 Nisei Week official choreographer, Bando Hidesomi. She has been an integral part of ondo for Nisei Week and around Los Angeles for nearly 30 years.
“Dancing is not always easy, but I’ve never thought of this as such hard work, because it’s a lot of fun,” said Bando Hidesomi, a native of Torrance.
Miles Hamada and Wesley Nishinaka will serve as ondo chairs for this year’s festival.
The official ondo songs this year are “Kawasaki Odor” by enka star Miyako Harumi and the Daiji Man Brothers Band’s 1991 hit “Sorega Daiji.”
The first two practices will focus on dances for the Grand Parade. Steps for the Street Ondo at the Closing Ceremony will be rehearsed on the latter dates.
The Grand Parade will take place on Sunday, Aug. 10, with the Closing Ceremony and Street Ondo one week later, on Sunday, Aug. 17. This year’s closing is planned to feature all live music, with performances by Minyo Station, Ryujin Taiko, Team Kawachi Ondo, Lolita Dark lead singer Rayko and more.
Participating dance groups this year are scheduled to include L.A. Bando Ryu, Bando Kyo no Kai, Fujima Kansuma Kai, Azuma Kotobuki Kai, Sanjo Kabuki Dance Company, Hoshun Kai, San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center’s Meiji Dance Club, Kotobuki No Kai, Hanayagi Rokufukumi Kai, Long Beach Ondo/Terminal Isanders, Team Kawachi Ondo/L.A. Kansai Club, San Diego Ondo, Bon Dance Circle Joy, Little Tokyo Dance Club/Skid Row-Kyo Mission, and Nisei Week Public Ondo Dance Group.
More information and the full Nisei Week Festival schedule can be found at https://niseiweek.org.