Don't be shy: Get ready to bon dance the night away

• Where it's happening this weekend

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

The summer bon dance season is in full swing, and an eager crowd attended last weekend's event at Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii in Nu'uanu. Kenichi Kunichika plays a taiko.

Lyn Fujiyoshi of Honolulu participates in the dance.

Gail Kajiyama of Palolo Valley watches Kuni Morita, also of Palolo Valley, adjust the sash on Loraine Ikeda's kimono. Ikeda is from Pearl City.

Jill-Ann Sumida of Kailua adjusts 5-year-old Eyrica's kimono. Photos by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

When: Now through the end of summer.

Where: At your community temple (see the TGIF calendar for weekly schedules).

Why: A traditional Japanese way of remembering the dead, but now a widespread community endeavor with social and recreational overtones.

Who: Open to all; if you dance, don a kimono or happi coat. Usually, there will be a combination of recorded dance music augmented by live singers, drum beaters and shamisen player who provide the sounds for the kimono-clad dance clubs. You don't have to be a club or temple member to join in the circle of dancers. Many gaijin (non-Japanese) folks attend — and are expert bon practitioners.

What to expect: A festival-like ambience, blending a cultural tradition with a party mood. There will be dancing by young and old alike, with food booths selling everything from saimin to barbecue meat sticks to shave ice. Chochin (lanterns) are strung with festive flair; the yagura (a tower-like platform essential to any bon dance) is the perch from which musicians and singers perform.

What to wear: A kimono is the preferred dress for women, who also may don a happi coat; gents usually wear a happi coat. An obi (belt or sash) secures the kimono for women; women dancers often wear traditional footwear. Summery yukata-print kimono and happi coats are preferred; they're less formal and cooler than brocades. And remember comfortable footwear, because dancing usually is on asphalt parking lots.

What to bring: Money to buy snacks (perhaps a coin purse to tuck into your kimono or happi coat, or a hip bag); a camera if you're a spectator; women often accessorize with a fan and a small towel.

What you'll hear: An assortment of traditional bon dance tunes, including the favorite, "Tanko Bushi," plus "Yukata Ondo" and "Shinran Ondo." Occasionally, some dances go modern, with programming departures such as "Elvira."

How to prepare: Buddhist temples often schedule pre-dance practice sessions a night or two before the actual event.

Or go early, watch the others and then jump in.

How to enjoy: Go as a group; couples always have a grand time; singles meet other singles (this is where the social overtakes the cultural). Schedule a nibble between dances.

Where it's happening this weekend

Here's a schedule of this weekend's bon dances:

Today

• Kane'ohe Higashi Hongwanji, 7:30-10 p.m., service at 7 p.m., 45-520 Kea'ahala Road. Free. 247-2661

Today and Saturday

• Mo'ili'ili Hongwanji Mission, 7:30-10:30 p.m., 902 University Ave. Free. 949-1659
• Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji, 8 p.m., Hanapepe, Kaua'i; service at 6 p.m. Free. (808) 335-3521

Saturday

• Moloka'i Guzeiji Soto Mission, 6:30 p.m., Kaunakakai; 5:30 p.m. Drum performances by Hawai'i Matsuri Taiko. Free. (808) 553-5197
• Kohala Hongwanji Mission, 8 p.m., Hala'ula, Big Island; service at 7 p.m. Free. (808) 775-7232