JQ Magazine: Nippon in New York – ‘The Matrix’ @ 25, ‘Ninja Scroll,’ ‘Demon Slayer’ In Concert
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
As the summer winds fade into fall colors, the weeks ahead are shaping up with these exciting events, ready to be enjoyed after Labor Day.
This month’s highlights include:
Fathom Events
Sept. 19, 22
Various theaters
Vatious pricing
Have you ever had a dream that you were so sure was real? What if you couldn’t awaken? How would you know the difference between dream and reality? When a beautiful stranger (Carrie Ann Moss) leads computer hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth – the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence. Neo joins legendary and dangerous rebel warrior Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne) in the battle to destroy the illusion enslaving humanity. The program will include an exclusive featurette looking back on the monumental impact of The Matrix. Hosted by The Matrix Resurrections’ Jessica Henwick (Bugs), the documentary delves deep into the influential cyberthriller that thrust moviemaking into an astonishing new dimension with never-before-seen personal reflections on the film.
Courtesy of Yachtrockrevue.com
Friday, Sept. 20, 7:00 p.m.
$49 general admission
Embark on a nostalgic voyage through the shimmering seas of music with Yacht Rock Revue, the ultimate purveyors of the smooth, yacht rock sound and who many reverently consider the keepers of the Yacht Rock fire. Hailing from Atlanta, GA this sensational band has captivated audiences worldwide with their immaculate renditions of classic hits from the late '70s and early '80s.
Inspired by the golden era of soft rock, Yacht Rock Revue has mastered the art of recreating the breezy and laid-back tunes that defined a generation. From the sun-kissed melodies of Steely Dan and Michael McDonald to the velvety harmonies of Hall & Oates, their repertoire spans an ocean of beloved hits that evoke memories of palm trees, ocean breezes, and carefree summers.
Since their formation in 2007, Yacht Rock Revue has amassed a devoted following, drawing fans from all walks of life to their extraordinary live performances. Their attention to detail and devotion to authenticity are unrivaled, transporting audiences to a time when yacht parties and smooth sailing were the order of the day.
But Yacht Rock Revue isn't just a tribute band; they are musical alchemists, seamlessly blending their own unique style with the iconic yacht rock vibe. Their original compositions are a modern ode to the genre, capturing the essence of those bygone days while infusing it with a fresh and invigorating twist. Their first original record, titled Hot Dads In Tight Jeans, showcases the bands complete range of skills that simultaneously transports the listener to a more modern era. While “Step,” the record’s first single, is a peppy number replete with falsetto and bumping bass, the rest of the album is more akin to Phoenix or Air, the hip bands that adapted Yacht for a younger audience.
Beyond the stage, Yacht Rock Revue's infectious energy extends to their fans, creating a community that celebrates the joy of music and the timeless appeal of yacht rock. Their concerts are not just shows; they're immersive experiences that leave audiences craving more.
Whether you're a longtime lover of the yacht rock era or a newcomer to its smooth grooves, Yacht Rock Revue promises an unforgettable journey across the azure waters of musical history. So grab your captain's hat and set sail with Yacht Rock Revue for a melodic adventure like no other.
Courtesy of HIDIVE
Sept. 11-12, 15-17
Various theaters
Various prices
Anime Expo Cinema Nights Presents the classic anime Ninja Scroll’s 30th anniversary with an all-new exclusive interview with director Yoshiaki Kawajiri! A mysterious vagabond sets out on a journey to confront his past. Little does he know he is up against a demonic force of killers, with a ghost from his past as the leader. When Jubei saves a young ninja woman from the unthinkable, he assumes that’s the end of it. To his surprise, it’s only just the beginning. Together, the two investigate the mysterious deaths of an entire village which uncovers a conspiracy of demonic proportions! Getting closer to the truth, the demonic forces will stop at nothing to silence Jubei and his companion for good!
Richard Termine
Sept. 11-15, 17-19
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$44, $58
Dogugaeshi, the award-winning phenomenon by genius puppeteer Basil Twist, is back! Born as a Japan Society commission, this ever-innovative piece now celebrates its 20th anniversary. Enter a mystical world, where a mysterious white fox shepherds you through past and present Japan. Inspired by a disappearing traditional stage mechanism from Japan’s Awa region called dogugaeshi, Twist has created fusuma screens with stunning painted imagery that dance, slide, flip, conceal and reveal to pull audiences deeper into a brain-bending optical illusion. Dogugaeshi is a cross-cultural collaboration with master shamisen player and experimental musician Yumiko Tanaka, whose multi-layered music collage embraces everything from traditional tunes to popular songs.
© 2024 BeBop Bounty Big Band, LLC
Sept. 12-13, 7:00 p.m.
Cowboy Bebop LIVE Presented by Bebop Bounty Big Band
Gramercy Theatre, 127 East 23rd Street
From $71.55
Cowboy Bebop LIVE is a complete multimedia experience highlighting the story of critically acclaimed anime, Cowboy Bebop, on the big screen accompanied by live music from the soundtrack performed by the Bebop Bounty Big Band. This 14-piece jazz ensemble features world-class musicians with members from the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Jazz Orchestra at Dr. Phillips Center, and the Walt Disney Company. This show is a completely one-of-a-kind production specifically designed to deliver an experience anime fans have never had before. Travel the solar system with anime’s most iconic soundtrack at Cowboy Bebop LIVE!
GKIDS
Sept. 13
Various theaters
Various prices
Based on the popular manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, DAN DA DAN is an electrifying, action-packed love letter to sci-fi and horror with the heart of a ruthlessly funny teen rom-com. The story follows Momo, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult freak. The two of them start talking after Momo rescues Okarun from getting bullied. However, an argument ensues between them – Momo believes in ghosts but denies aliens, and Okarun believes in aliens but denies ghosts.. Amid these predicaments, Momo awakens her hidden power and Okarun gains the power of a curse to challenge the paranormal forces–and their fateful love begins as well!? The directorial debut from Fuga Yamashiro is the latest series from cutting-edge animation studio Science SARU (The Colors Within, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) with pulse-pounding original music from kensuke ushio (Chainsaw Man). This theatrical screening of the first three episodes includes exclusive bonus content featuring interviews and more!
Roundabout Theatre Company
Sept. 13-Nov. 24
Todd Haimes Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street
$58-$335
Tony Award winner and three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) will make his Roundabout debut with the Broadway premiere of YELLOW FACE, his hilarious is-he-or-isn’t-he comedy of identity, show business, and (perhaps) autobiography. Starring Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) and directed by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman (Violet). Inspired by real events, the playwright’s fictionalized doppelgänger protests yellowface casting in Miss Saigon, only to mistakenly cast a white actor asthe Asian lead in his own play. This Obie Award-winning and Pulitzer finalist play is a laugh-out-loud farce about the complexities of race.
Courtesy of LPR.com
Sunday, Sept. 15, 7:00 p.m.
LPR, 158 Bleecker Street
$20-$30
Critically acclaimed pianist Taka Kigawa grew up in Nagano, Japan, where he began piano studies at the age of three, winning his first competition at the age of seven. He has earned outstanding international recognition as a recitalist, soloist, and chamber music artist since winning First Prize in the prestigious 1990 Japan Music Foundation Piano Competition in Tokyo, and the Diploma Prize at the 1998 Concurs Internacional Maria Canals De Barcelona in Spain, with such accolades from The New York Times as “Phenomenon, there’s no denying that he is something special,” “The extraordinary pianist.” and from The New Yorker “Unbelievably challenging program. Kigawa is an artist of stature.” and from La Nación (Buenos Aires) “Taka Kigawa is a stupendous virtuoso.” This Stockhausen-themed performance will feature special guest Chris Graham.
Program:
Klavierstück I
Klavierstück V
Klavierstück X
Kontakte
Courtesy of Kingstheatre.com
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba in Concert
Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Avenue (Brooklyn)
$49-$136
Dive into the mesmerizing world of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba like never before with Demon Slayer in Concert. Experience a first-class ensemble of eighteen musicians and vocalists bring the iconic soundtrack of Demon Slayer to life, in perfect sync with its first season’s most memorable scenes displayed on a full-size cinema screen. Demon Slayer has been the most watched anime on Netflix during the first quarter of 2023, with 186.8 million hours viewed across its three seasons, way ahead of other anime blockbusters like One Piece, Pokémon, or My Hero Academia. The sequel film, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, shattered records to become the highest-grossing movie in Japan, overtaking Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, and securing the title of the world’s highest-grossing anime film and consolidating itself as the most popular anime of our time. This awe-inspiring blend of music and visual storytelling showcases the celebrated anime title in all its glory.
GKIDS
Sept. 26-Oct. 3
Various theaters
Various prices
From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki, comes the Academy Award-nominated fantasy adventure for the whole family. Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman. On a quest to break the spell, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent moving castle and into a new life of wonder and adventure. But as the true power of Howl’s wizardry is revealed, Sophie finds herself fighting to protect them both from a dangerous war of sorcery that threatens their world. The English dub version features the voice talents of Lauren Bacall, Christian Bale, Billy Crystal, Blythe Danner, Emily Mortimer, and Jean Simmons.
For more JQ articles, click here.