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About 50 visitors watch Saipan Awaodori Team
About 50 tourists and customers of Kinpachi Restaurant and other businesses around Paseo de Marianas watched the Saipan Awaodori Team perform their traditional Japanese dance last Saturday evening.
Passersby also stopped for awhile to watch the performance of the team’s 26 members and nine musicians.
Tourists from nearby hotels shot videos and took pictures of the performances and were amazed to see the children and adults performing one of Japan’s traditional dances.
One Japanese tourist who identified himself only as Mr. Kawahara, who was with his wife and two sons, said he is surprised that the dancers are not Japanese. Kawahara is from Tokyo, Japan. His son took pictures alongside his mother who videotaped the first performance of the night.
The group staged two performances that ended at 8:30pm.
Kinpachi Restaurant owner Misako Kamata said that she is happy to support the Saipan Awaodori Team.
“I’m surprised at the [the new members] catching up. We are really happy, even with our new members. They are not Japanese but I’m grateful that they are dancing. Also, the kids know and recognize the importance of tourism,” Kamata said.
The Saipan Awaodori Team is also sponsored by Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, Duty Free Saipan, and Docomo Pacific.
Sonia Siwa, coordinator of the Saipan Awaodori Team, said they are still accepting new recruits for the team. The group is now busy rehearsing for a planned appearance at this year’s Flame Tree Arts Festival.
Kamata said the group practices on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 4pm to 5:30pm, at the Koblerville Youth Center. Registration is free of charge.
