This is me, an hour before MATIMA’s concert “Beauty (美）is Universal” at Asia Society Texas Center last night, after the tickets were completely sold out.
Three hours later, I was walking on a cloud, bonding with audience members who gave us a long standing ovation, full of smiles, nods, cheers, etc.
We used two microphones to enhance the sound generated in the process of tea ceremony. A high school student came up to tell me afterwards that it really captivated and transported her. She said that was very strange because there was not a lot of action, but she was so attracted to everything. Four members of the Urasenke Tankokai Houston Chapter all wore beautiful kimonos and moved with such grace.
Then, without any pause, as soon as the tea ceremony was over, Maiko started playing Syrinx off stage. She came in after the A section and walked across the hall through the B and A’ section of the piece.
My Pagodes, Poissons d’or, and our Debussy Sonata all went very well. Shigeru Kawai’s grand piano, generously donated for the night by Kawai Piano Gallery Houston, resonated beautifully in Asia Society Texas Center’s Education Center.
EMERGE-HISD’s director, Sara Llansa gave a presentation about their non-profit organization, for whom the proceed from this concert was to be donated. I saw audience members nodding in agreement to the injustice of inequality in our current education system. An audience member came up to us afterwards offering to volunteer for them.
We opened the second half with Maiko playing the Japanese folk tune, Sakura. Then went straight onto Brahm’s Intermezzo Op. 116-2. I had a whole spiel prepared about the similarity of the two melodies – I gave a researched presentation, and felt very satisfied to still make my audience laugh! With such an attentive, eager listener, the rest of the program felt easy.
The audience members stayed on for almost two hours after the concert. The post-concert reception, organized by Japanese Association of Greater Houston under the strong leadership of its president, Mr. Takechi made the evening festive and joyful.
Showing Japan, with the help of Urasenke Tankokai, served sweets and tea. A group of high school students came up to me to share their amazement at the intricately decorated, artistic sweets. They marvelled at its beauty and wondered how long and how much work it must take to make such a thing.
AGU Ramen provided hundred-fifty bowls of their pork-broth ramen noodles. For some people, it was their first bowl of ramen. It was really funny to see elaborately dressed ladies enjoying these bowls of noodles. It was delicious! I had two servings!!
My explanation that Takoyaki was a “savoury ball-shaped pancake with octopus in it” may not have been the most appetizing, but upon tasting, everyone seemed to take an instant liking to it. I would like to express my gratitude to Iwatani Corporation of America by sharing that my 93-year-old American friend enjoyed it so much – I think he had multiple servings.
Izakaya WA brought lots of beautiful sushi rolls, colourful and tasty. Japanese children were running to the booth for second and third servings.
“Sake tasting!? I am definitely coming…!” I had a few friends who said this, lol. I think the sold-out house was thanks in part to SakeOne‘s booth offering tastings of different sake.
To many of my American friends, it was their first time tasting Shochu (Japanese hard liquor). Iichiko was such a hit! I know that my friend Rae went for at least three rounds! She was eager to learn where to purchase a bottle.
It was the kind of night that makes you feel lucky to be alive, and assure you that you are on the right path. It will inspire me for months to come. I am so grateful to my community of friends in my life.