Recent Event: Odori-zome 2026
Odorizome 2026 Group Photo by Jon Jung
The annual “Odori-zome” (First Dance of the Year) presented by the Sachiyo Ito and Company Dance School was held on Sunday, March 1 at 3:00 PM at the Gibney Dance Center in Manhattan. The event had originally been scheduled for January 25 but was postponed due to snow.
In addition to performances of traditional Japanese dance by students from diverse cultural backgrounds and multiple generations, guest artists also appeared, including the New York Taiko Aiko Kai (NYTAK) and singer Yoko Yamashita. A book-signing event was also held to celebrate the publication of Sachiyo Ito’s book Memoirs of Memories.
The program featured 15 dances, including an original work based on Chinese poetry, as well as kabuki-style dances choreographed and directed by Ito, and dance works celebrating the arrival of spring.
In the finale, the theme “Love” was expressed through the song “Heal the World,” performed with guitar by TOMOYA OGAWA and vocal by Asu-mi. The audience joined in the chorus, creating a warm and moving moment. All 116 seats in the venue were filled, and the event concluded with great success.
Odorizome 2026 Group Photo Kanpai
Shukan New York Seikatsu
To read a review by Chunchun Tao - Performer of 2026 Odori-zome: When a Fan Opens, New York City Listens
For more information on Odori-zome: Odori-zome (New Year Dance)
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