The cool person’s guide to enjoying the Sado Island Earth Festival.

Background – Why me, why this

For two years people have been saying to me ‘Jen, you should go to Sado Island, you’d really love it’. And, although people say that about most things to me, after all I’m one of those people, they were right in telling me to go. So, in my final contract year on the Jet program, in trying to do all the things I have been planning on doing for for the past two years, I finally got my butt up to the Sado Island Earth Festival.

Guts of the Festival – What is it?

http://www.kodo.or.jp/frame.html

(From the website)

After bringing the sound of the taiko to the ears of the world for so many years, KODO wanted to create an environment where they could bring the sounds of world back to Sado Island. Coinciding with the founding of Kodo Village in 1988, KODO held their first annual Earth Celebration. The theme was then, and remains, 'Tataku' (to Beat a Rhythm) - one of most fundamental human acts. Among the gathered artists, scholars and festival celebrants from around the world exchange takes place in countless ways at concerts, lectures, workshops, and 'fringe' events' where regular festival-goers can get up and perform. Powered by the energy born of these celebrations, KODO then sets out on further explorations of the globe.

In other words – It is a big kick arse drumming festival with great atmosphere, super tunes, and all round cool people.

How – Tickets/Transport/Concert times, venues, location, accommodation, packages, when to book etc…

Ok, so I was told I should go, looked on the website, bought tickets online, but still had no real idea what was going on. So, in order to help save you from similar confusion I thought I’d write this ‘how to’ guide.

Firstly, tickets. In order to enjoy the Sado Island Earth Festival you do not need to purchase any tickets. However, if you would like to participate in any of the workshops, or see any of the evening concerts, then you will need to get hold of some. Usually on the first night (Friday) there is a performance by Kodo. Then, on the second night, (Saturday,) a guest group from somewhere else in the world plays. On the final night (Sunday) there is a finale with both groups performing together. In 2003 they did a joint performance as an encore on the second night too!

Workshop tickets for the most part, need to be purchased in advance. However, there are sometimes spaces left in some of the workshops for which you can purchase tickets at the venue.These need to be purchased online or by going to convenience stores around Japan.

The evening concert tickets can be purchased easily from the venue. The evening concerts take place in a huge park so they don’t really sell out. Once you have your ticket you can enter the park for the concert an hour or so beforehand. However, there is a funny system in order….

As Japanese people like to get prime positioning, they created a system where you can show your ticket at a booth near the entrance anytime on the day of the event and get a coloured card. This then allows you to line up closer to the front prior to the gates opening. Whilst this may be a good idea to get the best position in the house, it is far from necessary. I went in towards the end for both concerts I saw and had a great view. People even stand up on the sides and groove to the beats. At the end of the Saturday concert in 2003 everyone jumped up and ran to the front to call for an encore. There I was smack bang in the middle at the very very front, no problem!