The last weeks of summer offer many hogaku concerts, both in Tokyo and around Japan, including two spectacular outdoor events.

Japan's Tsugaru region in the Northeast has a rich legacy of folk performing arts. The bold, energetic melodies of the Tsugaru shamisen, the lyrically powerful Tsugaru folk songs and the stunning regional dances have become popular throughout Japan in the last few years, but it is actually quite rare to hear local performers of the tradition. The Tsugaru region has special hardships, both climatic and economic, and this colors and informs the folk music.

The International House of Japan will feature a select program of Tsugaru performing arts by Hirosaki-based performers in the famous Japanese style I-House gardens. Chisato Yamada II (Kazuo Shibutani) will lead the shamisen group and te-odori dancer Makiko Kurauchi and her group will perform several of the local dances. Yuriko Ohtani will be the featured vocalist. Come out and enjoy a summer's evening in the center of Tokyo, surrounded by greenery and music.