One of the highlights of OMATSURI has always been the wonderful variety of Japanese performance arts and martial arts demonstrations. This year, we are excited to showcase the rich Japanese heritage and traditions by promoting many talented performers.
2024 will see the return of the Cultural Stage, highlighting demonstrations of the many traditional Japanese arts.
We hope you will join us for a great day and some wonderful entertainment.
Friday, August 9 – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
| Time | Outdoor Stage | Indoor Cultural Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 PM | J-Pop Dance Off (Competition with prizes) Bon Dance Off (Midnight Taiko & Joanne Planidin) Aza Nabuko (Singer / Songwriter) | Cosplay Masquerade (Competition with prizes in collaboration with Otafest) |
Saturday, August 10 – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
| Time | Outdoor Stage | Indoor Cultural Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | 10:05 AM – Calgary Kendo Club 10:35 AM – Himawari Dancers 10:50 AM – Kaede Cultural Society of Calgary, Kaede no kai | 10:00 AM – Koto Performance (Misue Asai-Kaufman & Kanako Kondo) 10:30 AM – Maharlika Divas Dance Group Philippines (Maharlika Women’s Association) |
| 11:00 AM | 11:05 AM – HIBIKIYA 11:40 AM – Omikoshi Parade 1 with Kan’nushi Jay of Usagi Jinja shrine | 11:00 AM – Ken-Shibu Performance Dancing (Yumiko Ito) 11:15 AM – Bonseki Sand Art Demonstration (Kynan Ono) |
| 12:00 PM | 12:00 PM – OPENING CEREMONY 12:30 PM – Ka Muso Kai 12:55 PM – Nikkei Cultural Society of Lethbridge & Area Minyo Dancers | 12:00 PM – OPENING CEREMONY : Outdoor stage 12:30 PM – Fake Samurai’z (Seiji Tanaka & Hitoshi Sugiyama) |
| 1:00 PM | 1:10 PM – Shin Ken Kai Iaido Dojo 1:40 PM – Ina Harris 1:55 PM – Omikoshi Parade 2 with Kan’nushi Jay of Usagi Jinja shrine | 1:15 PM – Sogetsu Ikebana Floral Demonstration (Keiko Otsuki & Students) |
| 2:00 PM | 2:15 PM – Fake Samurai’z 2:45 PM – Yayoi Woods 2:55 PM – Seiyu Karate | 2:00 PM – Churakaji Okinawa Sanshin (Okinawan Sanshin Players) 2:30 PM – JKA Karate Do Demonstration (Lilia Boaghi & Students) |
| 3:00 PM | 3:25 PM – YOSOCA – Yosakoi Soran Calgary 3:50 PM – Kurara | 3:00 PM – Bonseki Sand Art Demonstration (Kynan Ono) 3:45 PM – Kaede No Kai (Kaede Society of Calgary) |
| 4:00 PM | 4:05 PM – Midnight Taiko Kai 4:35 PM – Drum with Midnight Taiko 4:55 PM – CLOSING REMARKS | 4:55 PM – CLOSING REMARKS : Outdoor stage |
| All DAY | Ikebana Display ongoing all day (Keiko Otsuki & Students) |
Cosplay Masquerade, in collaboration with Otafest
Friday Night Market (August 9), at the Indoor Stage (inside the Max Bell Arena)
Registration from 7:00-7:45pm
Stage show starting at 8:00pm
Show us your best cosplay character! You’ll get a chance to walk on stage, strike two poses, and answer questions about your character. Please arrive early to register, as spots are limited!
Guest Judges: Kristy North Peigan, Austyn Larkam and Jhenne Nunes!
Prizes to be awarded by guest judge panel.
Picture Perfect Cosplay Contest, in collaboration with Otafest
Saturday (August 10), next to the Indoor Cultural Stage (inside the Max Bell Arena)
Registration/photos taken from 10am-noon
Voting from noon-4pm
We’ll take your cosplay photo and display it in our slideshow, and let the festival attendees decide on their favourite!
Prizes to be awarded by audience vote.
**Please note: your cosplay must be family-friendly, and no real weapons will be allowed on festival grounds.