Since beginning in 2008, “New Bon Odori” has become for many a well-loved Toshima-ku summer institution. This year the event cannot be held as usual, but to enable it to be held this year especially, and to continue holding it next year and the year after that, developing the event over the years and turning it into a part of people’s lives, we have commissioned Ryohei Kondo to choreograph and present a new style of Bon Odori that allows participants to enjoy the remote aspect while maintaining social distance. The result is “New Bon Odori NEO.” The project’s untapped attractions, expanding hopes and expectations, and great public appeal give it the potential to spread not only through Japan but all over the world.

Ryohei Kondo/Condors/citizens of Toshima-ku, others

Composition/Choreography: Ryohei Kondo

Ryohei Kondo

Choreographer, dancer, and leader of the Condors. He has choreographed for and danced in the opening scenes of NHK’s “Salaryman NEO,” “Karada de Asobo,” and “Teppan.” He was awarded the Shuji Terayama Award in the 4th Asahi Performing Arts Awards, and the 67th Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts. Teaches dance part-time at Rikkyo University and other institutions. The Condors’ 20th anniversary performance at NHK in 2016 was an immediate sellout.
He engages in a range of projects combining contemporary dance with social contribution. These include audience participation concerts for children of all ages in “Kondoruzu no asoiku keikaku” (“The Condors’ Playing and Learning Plan”) with NHK Educational, and dance performances with the Handles, a dance team for people with disabilities, in a project sponsored by the Saitama prefectural government. In 2018 Kondo received the 67th Yokohama Cultural Award. A dog lover, South America-raised Kondo lives in Toshima-ku.

Schedule: Sunday, November 1, 2020 −

Organizer: Toshima Mirai Cultural Foundation/Toshima City/Tokyo Festival Executive Committee

Owlspot Theatre:03-5391-0751