{"product_id":"2026-matsuri-music-festival","title":"2026 Matsuri Music Festival","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMatsuri Music Festival Brings Japanese Music and Culture to Kimberley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eJuly 13–16, 2026\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis July, Kimberley residents will have a unique opportunity to experience Japanese music, arts, and culture through the inaugural Matsuri Music Festival, a community-based event bringing together artists from Japan and Canada.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrganized by Shinobu Murata V. and Randy Marchi, the festival will welcome three professional musicians from Japan: master taiko drummer Keita Kanazashi, shamisen performer Shiori Sato, and shinobue flutist Tomoko Takeda.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThroughout the festival, the visiting artists will collaborate with local musicians, performers, and community groups, creating a cultural exchange unlike any previously seen in Kimberley.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn Monday, July 13\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the festival opens with an advanced taiko master class led by Kanazashi, offering experienced drummers the opportunity to study traditional Japanese performance techniques directly from one of Japan’s leading taiko artists. The master class workshop is supported by Columbia Basin Trust and CKCA.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn Tuesday, July 14\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the visiting musicians will join local performers and Calgary-based Midnight Taiko for a collaborative workshop and rehearsal before presenting the festival’s main evening concert at Centre 64. This special performance will showcase the powerful energy of taiko drumming and the beauty of traditional Japanese music, while also featuring unique collaborations created during the festival with local musicians. Audiences can experience an evening where Japanese musical traditions meet new artistic connections and community spirit through rhythm and sound.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor ticket information, please contact Randy \u0026amp; Shinobu at 778-481-5423.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn Wednesday, July 15\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, taiko drumming will be featured as part of the re-opening ceremony of the new gazebo at Cominco Gardens. The ceremony will open with performances by the Alphorn and the Kimberley Pipe Band, followed by a commemorative tree planting celebrating the friendship between Canada and Japan. Musical performances will also be presented by Happy Feeling (Tim, Randy \u0026amp; Shinobu).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat evening, Flix C64 will present a screening of the acclaimed Japanese film \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrive My Car\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn Thursday, July 16\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the festival concludes with public taiko workshops, Kitsune mask painting for children led by Olivia Roberts, and a final outdoor concert featuring the visiting artists alongside local musicians including Lennan Delaney (violin), Tim Plait (piano), Jim Cameron (bass), members of the Kimberley Community Chorus led by Marta Zeegers, and local Aikido practitioners led by Hector Rodrigues from Ikigai Dojo. Thursday is the final day of the festival, coinciding with Kimberley's popular Farmers Market (held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m) and takes place during the city's annual Julyfest celebrations. Every third Farmers Market of the season features a special community event, and this July the market's featured event will be the Matsuri Festival. Visitors will be able to enjoy Japanese cultural activities, music, and performances as part of one of Kimberley's most vibrant summer weekends.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe event is part of the Tsumugu Project. In Japanese, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003etsumugu \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emeans \"to weave,\" reflecting the organizers' vision of using music and art to bring people together across cultures. Through performances, workshops, and shared experiences, the project aims to weave lasting connections and cultural understanding between communities in Canada and Japan.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore information and tickets:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContact Randy \u0026amp; Shinobu at 778-481-5423 or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"mailto:shinobulk@gmail.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eshinobulk@gmail.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Centre 64","offers":[{"title":"General Admission","offer_id":48796831416503,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/3179\/3847\/files\/2026MatsuriMusicFestival.png?v=1783119330","url":"https:\/\/centre64.com\/products\/2026-matsuri-music-festival","provider":"Centre 64","version":"1.0","type":"link"}