 | We are finding it quite funny that the hanami scientists got it wrong... so what else is there to do in Tokyo? Rest assured, we've had a hunt and found an array of interesting things to do, especially for you. And never fear: it's less than two weeks til Perfect Liars Club! Got your tickets? |
Fri March 31 - The last Friday of the month is always a bit crazy, with an array of great events competing for your patronage, and a grump from me that they are not more spread out so I can attend them all. So here's my choose-your-own-adventure guide for your own personal Friday night extravaganza:
Sat and Sun April 1&2 - After the madness of Friday, it's tumbleweed today. There is almost nothing interesting scheduled this weekend, presumably due to an assumption that we will all be installed upon a blue tarpaulin, admiring cherry blossoms through a haze of alcohol. But there's also quite a lot of interesting cinema in English. Depending on whether you choose Toho Nihonbashi or Roppongi, you can see Woolf Works (Royal Ballet Company) in the afternoon or evening. Also this weekend at the movies, Lego Batman and Jackie are both opening and look differently great. Or you could see Passengers, one of the most thought provoking sci-fi movies I've seen in ages. Other good options in English include best picture Oscar-winner Moonlight, La La Land, Sing, Moana (all at Toho etc), Allied (Humax) and Maggie's Plan (Uplink). Oh, and if you want a bit of hanami delight, on Sunday there's a shochu tasting in Yoyogi Park that could be fun.
Mon April 3 - Open mic comedy in Otsuka tonight. Word on the street, it's going to be a good one. So it's between that and going to see my very favourite English-language rakugo (funny Japanese story) performer Tatekawa Shinoharu at Footnik in Ebisu. Doors at 7, performance at 8, cost 2000 yen including one drink. Also, Singin' in the Rain opens tonight at Tokyu Theatre Orb (11th floor of Hikarie in Shibuya) and runs til the 30th. From Broadway, and in English!
Tue April 4 - Tonight, let's hope you're feeling political. There's a public talk about Donald Trump and the Middle East, free and with English translation, but you need to register in advance. (Use Google Chrome if you don't read Japanese). And another talk about public protests, also in English.
Wed April 5 - It's Good Heavens Comedy Club tonight.
Thu April 6 - Nothing? Well, maybe it's time to see Singin' in the Rain or Woolf Works.
Fri April 7 - Kick off the weekend early at 4:45pm with an interesting-sounding talk on the role of digital technology in public art. Later, it's the latest edition of Apocrypha, the edgy storytelling show, sharing emotional tales on the topic of temptation at Bar Gari Gari. Or Gamuso comedy show is tonight in Asagaya.
Planning ahead
Thu April 13 - Perfect Liars Club returns... so make sure you've bought your tickets! Four people tell a crazy story but only three are true. Listen, laugh, interrogate, and vote. Are you shrewd enough to spot the liar? One of the best shows in Tokyo (if we do say so ourselves). Tickets are going fast...
- If you share my enthusiasm for a brilliant, professional improv show, don't miss Improvazilla
- If you're a poetry fan, head over to Drunk Poets See God for an open mic poetry slam.
- If you are a gramophone hipster, perhaps the Lady Be Good! Gramophone Concert is for you.
- If you enjoy drawing burlesque dancers, go to Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School
- If you like to combine cool live music and live art, This & That Cafe is probably for you.
- If you want to focus on Indian art, head to the Indian Embassy's Vivekananda Cultural Centre for a talk on Tagore as a Painter. It's at 5:30pm and go early to see their exhibition by Ashok Bhowmick (Free, but email to register).
- If you love ballet, Toho Roppongi (7:30pm) and Toho Nihonbashi (8:20) are screening Woolf Works a ballet inspired by Virginia Woolf by the UK's Royal Ballet Company. (It's on all week til the 6th.)
- Finally if all of that sounds too decadent and you want to nerd it up on the topic of press freedom, there's a book talk on Press Freedom in Contemporary Japan at Temple University.
Sat and Sun April 1&2 - After the madness of Friday, it's tumbleweed today. There is almost nothing interesting scheduled this weekend, presumably due to an assumption that we will all be installed upon a blue tarpaulin, admiring cherry blossoms through a haze of alcohol. But there's also quite a lot of interesting cinema in English. Depending on whether you choose Toho Nihonbashi or Roppongi, you can see Woolf Works (Royal Ballet Company) in the afternoon or evening. Also this weekend at the movies, Lego Batman and Jackie are both opening and look differently great. Or you could see Passengers, one of the most thought provoking sci-fi movies I've seen in ages. Other good options in English include best picture Oscar-winner Moonlight, La La Land, Sing, Moana (all at Toho etc), Allied (Humax) and Maggie's Plan (Uplink). Oh, and if you want a bit of hanami delight, on Sunday there's a shochu tasting in Yoyogi Park that could be fun.
Mon April 3 - Open mic comedy in Otsuka tonight. Word on the street, it's going to be a good one. So it's between that and going to see my very favourite English-language rakugo (funny Japanese story) performer Tatekawa Shinoharu at Footnik in Ebisu. Doors at 7, performance at 8, cost 2000 yen including one drink. Also, Singin' in the Rain opens tonight at Tokyu Theatre Orb (11th floor of Hikarie in Shibuya) and runs til the 30th. From Broadway, and in English!
Tue April 4 - Tonight, let's hope you're feeling political. There's a public talk about Donald Trump and the Middle East, free and with English translation, but you need to register in advance. (Use Google Chrome if you don't read Japanese). And another talk about public protests, also in English.
Wed April 5 - It's Good Heavens Comedy Club tonight.
Thu April 6 - Nothing? Well, maybe it's time to see Singin' in the Rain or Woolf Works.
Fri April 7 - Kick off the weekend early at 4:45pm with an interesting-sounding talk on the role of digital technology in public art. Later, it's the latest edition of Apocrypha, the edgy storytelling show, sharing emotional tales on the topic of temptation at Bar Gari Gari. Or Gamuso comedy show is tonight in Asagaya.
Planning ahead
Thu April 13 - Perfect Liars Club returns... so make sure you've bought your tickets! Four people tell a crazy story but only three are true. Listen, laugh, interrogate, and vote. Are you shrewd enough to spot the liar? One of the best shows in Tokyo (if we do say so ourselves). Tickets are going fast...
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