12291: Pierre Cheriza and the Tokyo Ballet (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Mihoko Tsunetomi <miho0087@tctv.ne.jp>

>Press Note(Tokyo)
  Initiation of the dancers of the Tokyo Ballet to the
sacred dance of Haiti.
 Pierre Cheriza wonderfullyrhythmed their steps.
The large annual spectacle of the Tokyo Ballet took
place in luxurious Bunkyo Civic Hall ofTokyo on May 31
 and June 1, 2002.  The poster,  "TheSeasons-Colors
of Time"carried the names of the choreographer
John Neumeir , "Perfect Conception "of  Jiri Kylian,
"Tam-Tam and Percussion " of the choreographer
 Felix Blaska to enclose the two evenings,together
with the music by Pierre Cheriza.
 At the beginning, the stars of this avant-guard Tokyo
Ballet shined. After 15 minutes, the left side of the scene
was illuminated ,and the drums decorated with the veve
of Danmbala and Ayida Wedo were installed.  Darkness
followed. Then new light for the entrance of Pierre Cherize,
whose proud figure and the slow  rhythm step already
 started to invide the applause of the audience.
In a remarkable imrovisation with the drum, Pierre Cheriza
called upon Legba for the opening of the gate and the
presentation of the Japanese "Hounsi". The light died
out while the first vibrations of the minutes went up which
followed ...30 sublime minutes ! Moments of eternity during
which time, transported by the drum and the magic voice
of Pierre Cheriza, the bodies of 24 Japanese dancers
launched out, without interruption, in a succession of
movements carried out according to the rhythems of
the yanvalou and raboday-rara. The apotheosis of the
night, the triumph of Pierre Cheriza, a glory for Haiti,
a promise of inter-cultural exchange in the future!
Born in Torsel and aged 72 years old, Pierre Cheriza
turned the world with the Tokyo Ballet to present  "Tam-
tam and Percussion". From Morocco to Brasil, Berlin to
Dakar, he has participated more than 100 times of
presentation of this choreography. To Mr. Shiro Mizoshita ,
the art director of the Tokyo Ballet and the first soloist,
Cheriza was the good faithful dad whom he wants to
acommpany everywhere. If during these two spectacles,
the technique and the style of Japanes dance did not
recall anything Haitian, one can forecast changes in the
near future. Indeed, during the course of dinner offered
by the director of Tokyo Ballet in honor of Cheriza ,
where the Ambassador of Haiti in Tokyo,  Mr. Marcel
Duret joined, it was decided that, during the next round
of groups Artcho of the choreographers, Jeanguy Saintus
and Jean Rene Delsoin , and Racine Mapou de Azor in
September, one night of workshop will be organized for the
professors and the students of the Tokyo Ballet. It is
hoped that the joint projects will rise from this new
meeting. Besides, at the invitation of the Ambassador
Duret, the art director of the Tokyo Ballet is going to take
part in the festivities commemorating the 200th anniversary of
Independance of Haiti. After making a big success, he is
always dreaming that "Tam-tam and percussion " should be
presented at Haitian public. The big master Cheriza formulated
the wish that in 2004 a lot of perystiles are to be erected
all over the country to allow the wandering gods of Haiti to
return home.<

(I made the translation without good command of French in
the original text. Therefore, I apologize the mistakes, and
wish you can get the rough outline. In the meantime, we are
still holding on with the FIFA games. There was a great excitement
last night as Japan had the first victory in this World Cup over
Russia. I don't know which side I should support if the game were
against Haiti. (just a dream, but wish it will come true someday !)
                                                       Mihoko