On 8 April, the seventh Tasogare Hanami Concert ("Twilight Cherry Blossom-Viewing Concert") took place in Kihada Hall of Obaku Plaza on the Uji Campus. Featured artists were singer Rie Fukahata and pianists Yoshie Suzuki and Kyoko Yamanaka -- all of whom are based in Uji -- as well as the Uji North Junior High School Brass Band.
The annual spring event was launched in 2010 as a service to the local community and with the aim of promoting the venue, Uji Obaku Plaza.
The 2016 concert began with remarks by Mr Tadashi Yamamoto, Mayor of Uji City, with which Kyoto University has a partnership agreement.
In Part One, the musicians offered commentary between their performances, which included piano duos, making the mood accessible and informative as well as engaging.
The Uji North Junior High School Brass Band, featured in Part Two, was invited to perform as part of Kyoto University's community engagement activities. Their energetic set, interspersed with songs and dances, elicited an enthusiastic audience response.
Held under pleasant weather conditions, this year's event attracted a capacity crowd of 300, many of whom expressed a desire to keep coming back for years to come.
Uji Mayor Yamamoto greeting the audience
Ms Fukahata (right) singing
Ms Suzuki and Ms Yamanaka playing a duo
Uji North Junior High School Brass Band performing
