In the media spotlight again

It would seem KSU Yosakoi has a perfect skill at getting our faces in the media. Maybe it’s our colorful clothes, our synchronized dances, our high energy spirit. Whatever it is, its back in full swing with the start of the Homecoming activities this week as our chalking by Ching and Jeremy and others who helped fill in their design was shown in the local college paper. The words didn’t give any favortism to any of the groups. However, if a picture is worth a thousand words you can bet your tiny hello kitty keychain collection that they liked ours the best or at least ours was the most visually attactive great work everyone who has been particapating in the homecoming events.

Ched out the add here http://www.kstatecollegian.com/1.838600

Seiji & Chika’s Farewell Send-Off

On Sunday, October 5th, Yosakoi gathered to say one last goodbye to our director, Seiji and his wife and member of Yosakoi, Chika before they moved to Hawaii for their career goals.

The Greater Kansas City Japan Festival

To those of you who were there. This was truly one of our best performances to date. You may not know this but our teacher, adviser, and friend Seji is leaving for Hawaii soon and we wanted to send him off in style. We may have had quite a few new dancers but we all pulled together to create something fantastic. The audience was surely stunned at the performance they received. We got to meet a lot of old friends such and Yasu and Kuniko the story tell whom we have come to have very good repor with. We also made new friends like the KU Asa group, Yoshiko Yamanaka, and Katsura Kaishi whom I have been told is quite famous in Japan and now in America. We did several dances Enough to fill 30 min and each greeted with resounding applause. It seems Yosakoi is just infectious you can’t help but get into the dancing and the music.

The trip itself started in the early morning before anyone should ever be roused from the comforts of their bed. We made out way to KC stopping only once at a convenience store. Arriving we stretched, got our bearings, and went though our dances in the court yard. The festival was for the most part set up the same way it always is The large Tori gate as you walk in with the dress up area for “authentic” Asian style pictures. Both theaters are to the right as well. I know I spent most of my time in the Polsky Theater. I did make it over to Yardley in time to clap and cheer for our own Jun who came in 2nd in the talent show and Yassu who came in first.

After the festival we went to our favorite sushi spot in KC called Sushi Gin. (It’s at 95th and Nall) We probably ate more than was needed but this was a a special occasion as I said previously. Seji’s last show, good times and good food and so it was even more important to finish that off with a good adventure. In classic road trip style we found our Caravan lost for a bit in Lawrence nothing we couldn’t find our way out of but if did allow for a few laughs and more time with the family we have all come to call Yosakoi. As I’m sure I speak for the whole group we will miss both Seji and Chikako Ikeda and always think of you fondly good luck in what ever you do. Hope to see you again soon. Thank you so much for this family you helped create.

-Jordan M

Heritage Night

Five members of the KSU Japanese Yosakoi Dance Club performed at Grandview Elementary School in Junction City on Tuesday, September 30th for their “Heritage Night.”

All across the school’s gym, there were tables set up with displays from a variety of different countries and their cultures. Yosakoi even had an informational booth to display. It was very exciting to learn about other heritages and share some of the Japanese culture with the audience.

We were even honored to be mentioned and have a picture in the Junction City newspaper, The Daily Union! Check out the article: http://www.dailyu.com/newsdetail.asp?article_id=2481

If you’d like to have the K-State Japanese Yosakoi Dance Club perform at one of your upcoming events, please contact our President, Cami Riblett (criblett@ksu.edu).