Japanese ensemble Hikaru is coming to Carbondale The group will be here for a week of cultural exchange

Hikaru, a music and dance ensemble from Japan, will visit Carbondale as part of Arts Midwest World Fest in 2019-2021.

Hikaru will bring the sounds of folk and traditional Japanese music to school workshops and will perform a public concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Carbondale Community High School auditorium.

Hikaru is led by award-winning international performer Nobuto Yamanaka, one of Japan's premier Tsugaru Shamisen players. The ensemble also includes three accomplished artists: Tomoko Tekeda on the shinobue flute, Toen Hibiki on the taiko drums, and vocalist and dancer Takemi Kakizaki.

Carbondale Community Arts is just beginning its World Fest partnership with Arts Midwest. During the two-year partnership, four different international ensembles will visit Carbondale for week-long musical residencies.

Hikaru is the first of the four and will be followed by ensembles from China, Brazil and Israel.

"The groups visiting as part of Arts Midwest World Fest perform a public concert and spend much of the week in schools and other community locations, sharing their music and traditions through workshops and cultural exchanges. We're looking forward to welcoming them to our community for the whole week, sharing some of southern Illinois' vibrant culture, and building new relationships with these talented musicians," said CCA Executive Director Lisa Janssen.

Torrie Allen, president and CEO of Arts Midwest, notes, "Arts Midwest's goal is to make meaningful and lasting impressions on the communities that host this program. We think visits by these wonderful international artists for week-long residencies offer communities a special opportunity to experience this music and culture. The residencies provide more opportunities for the ensemble and community members to connect with each other, whether through workshops in schools, concerts in the greater community, or through social gatherings. We want this to be a rich experience for the entire community."

Arts Midwest World Fest presents international music ensembles in the nine-state region it serves with the goal of creating opportunities for cultural exchanges in small and mid-sized Midwestern communities. Arts Midwest's organizational mission is to "promote creativity, nurture cultural leadership, and engage people in meaningful arts experiences, bringing vitality to Midwest communities and enriching people's lives."

• Details about Hikaru's residency in Carbondale can be found on Carbondale Community Arts website at carbondalearts.org. Public concert tickets are $10 for Adults, $5 for students, and free for children under age 10. Tickets are available for purchase in advance online, at CCA's Artspace 304 and at the door.