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Venue: Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth Street, Suite 290, Oakland

Join us for a special film screening of the Kabuki drama, “Rampei Goes Insane” (Rampei Monogurui), an audience favorite because of its entertaining mix of action, comedy, and historical drama.

The foot soldier Rampei has a strange condition: every time a sword is drawn, he goes into a mad frenzy. But could it all just be an act hiding his real agenda?

Featuring an all-star cast at the famed Kabuki-za Theatre in Tokyo. 83 minutes. In Japanese with English translation.

If you are curious about why Kabuki’s unique combination of drama, music, dance, and spectacle continues to entertain millions every year, “here’s your chance to see one of the finest Kabuki films ever made, free, amongst fans and experts who will gladly fill you in on all the social and historical aspects of the performance” (Flavorpill “Editor’s Pick”).

Free and open to the public. Presented by JETAANC Kabuki Club. Co-sponsored by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.

More info: http://www.jetaanc.org/event/rampei/

This post was submitted by kabuki.

Three versions. One haunting tale.

A mother searches for her lost son. Driven half-mad with worry, she meets a ferryman on the Sumida River who may know something. But is she prepared to learn the truth?

The tragic story of Sumidagawa has haunted Japanese and Western artists for hundreds of years. Join JETAANC as we explore three very different versions of the story on film: Noh theatre, Kabuki theatre, and chamber opera. Don’t miss this chance to see these rarely-screened masterpieces. All events are free and open to the public. Event website: http://www.jetaanc.org/kabuki

Sumidagawa (Noh version)
September 11, 2pm, Center for Japanese Studies, UC Berkeley
First performed in medieval Japan, the Noh version of Sumidagawa has moved audiences for centuries with its particular blend of mystery and pathos. A master work in the kyojomono category of Noh play—dramas of madwomen. 80 mins. In Japanese with English and Japanese subtitles.

Sumidagawa (Kabuki version)
September 18, 2pm, Oakland Asian Cultural Center
With inspiration from Russian ballet, the Noh version was adapted to the Kabuki stage. The result is one of the great modern masterpieces of Kabuki. The famed onnagata Nakamura Utaemon VI plays the mother in one of his signature roles. 45 mins. In Japanese with English translation.

Curlew River (chamber opera version)
October 16, 2pm, Center for Japanese Studies, UC Berkeley
Benjamin Britten was a world-renowned composer when he saw the Noh Sumidagawa in Japan in 1956. Intensely moved, he vowed to write a chamber opera of the story. Transposing the setting to the Curlew River in medieval England, Britten composed a powerful and touching parable for our times. 70 mins. In English with English subtitles. Please note this is a rare video document of this piece. As such, the audio and video are acceptable, but not high fidelity.

For more information, email [email protected] or contact:

Center for Japanese Studies, 2223 Fulton Street, 6th Floor, Berkeley, (510) 642-3156

Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth Street, Suite 290, Oakland, (510) 637-0455

Sponsored by JETAANC Kabuki Club, the UC Berkeley Center for Japanese Studies, and the Oakland Asian Cultural Center

This post was submitted by donmelvin5000.