Tomoni / Go Together 2024 – A Japanese Community Variety Show
2024/11/16
On November 16, the Ottawa Japanese Community Association (OJCA) in partnership with the Embassy of Japan, Carleton University Art Gallery, Japanese Canadian Legacies, the Ottawa Community Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Ottawa, presented “Tomoni / Go Together – A Japanese Community Variety Show.” This was the third edition of “Tomoni / Go Together”, following 2019 and 2022.
Tomoni was curated by Mr. Matt Miwa (OJCA Board Member), imagined as a Japanese community celebration and variety show featuring unique artistic collaborations between Japanese cultural performers and invited, non-Japanese, artists. This year’s performers and groups included Oto-Wa Taiko, Minyo-kai, Ottawa Woodwind Project, Kaylie Kreatrix, Montreal Steppers, the Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus, Aki Takahashi (shamisen player) and more. Hundreds of guests attended and enjoyed the impressive performances.
In a speech before the event, Ambassador YAMANOUCHI Kanji emphasized the importance of the Japanese community in Ottawa celebrating their rich cultural heritage and the necessity of deepening Japan-Canada relations in the fields of culture and education. He said that cultural exchanges help invigorate bilateral relations and the friendship between our two countries. Ambassador Yamanouchi continued by saying that he expects the bilateral relationship to further deepen, noting that Canada will chair the G7 Summit next year and that Japan and Canada will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2028. Finally, he expressed his expectation that the Canadian Pavilion will be a popular attraction at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which will open on April 13, 2025.
At an after-party following the performances, the Embassy of Japan promoted the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai and provided the tasting of takoyaki to introduce the food culture of Osaka, where the Expo will be held.
Tomoni was curated by Mr. Matt Miwa (OJCA Board Member), imagined as a Japanese community celebration and variety show featuring unique artistic collaborations between Japanese cultural performers and invited, non-Japanese, artists. This year’s performers and groups included Oto-Wa Taiko, Minyo-kai, Ottawa Woodwind Project, Kaylie Kreatrix, Montreal Steppers, the Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus, Aki Takahashi (shamisen player) and more. Hundreds of guests attended and enjoyed the impressive performances.
In a speech before the event, Ambassador YAMANOUCHI Kanji emphasized the importance of the Japanese community in Ottawa celebrating their rich cultural heritage and the necessity of deepening Japan-Canada relations in the fields of culture and education. He said that cultural exchanges help invigorate bilateral relations and the friendship between our two countries. Ambassador Yamanouchi continued by saying that he expects the bilateral relationship to further deepen, noting that Canada will chair the G7 Summit next year and that Japan and Canada will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2028. Finally, he expressed his expectation that the Canadian Pavilion will be a popular attraction at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which will open on April 13, 2025.
At an after-party following the performances, the Embassy of Japan promoted the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai and provided the tasting of takoyaki to introduce the food culture of Osaka, where the Expo will be held.
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| Amb. Yamanouchi’s remarks |
Collaborative performance by Minyo-kai and Ottawa Woodwind Project |
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| Collaborative performance by Oto-Wa Taiko and Kaylie Kreatrix |
Collaborative performance by Montreal Steppers and Montreal Taiko |
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| Promoting Expo 2025 Osaka and Osaka Food Culture | |