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We Took Part in the 66th Akabane Baka Matsuri
On April 28, 2024, with weather that felt like early summer, we at BG Flamenco Academy took part in the 66th Akabane Baka Matsuri. Following the preliminary event in 2023, the festival returned in full this year. The parade route changed to take in the main avenues, and a total of 26 groups joined in a wonderfully festive celebration.
More than 50 students from our academy took part! Wearing our colorful costumes, we all had a wonderful time performing together. People along the route waved and called out to us. We were so happy to share a joyful moment with them, however brief, and let them see our flamenco dancing.
We hoped to bring plenty of excitement to the festival again the following year, in 2025. May the flamenco we dance in Japan reach out to the world from Akabane!
To all the students who took part: thank you so very much.
Some of the studio students who took part have shared their thoughts with us, and we would love to introduce them here.
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Muraishi Yuka
This was my first time taking part! I was so incredibly happy to dress up in a beautiful costume and dance alongside around 50 fellow flamencas from BG Academy.
Thank you, Beni, all our teachers, and everyone in my class for such a wonderful time. Love you, Akabane!
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Furuichi Toshie
Beni’s passion for getting more people in Japan involved in flamenco inspired me to take part in the Akabane Baka Matsuri. Even the sun was on our side, and teachers and students alike wore costumes in every color: toma que toma, toma que to! It was so much fun!!
I hope we touched the hearts of lots of the people watching along the route!
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Hanawa Masakatsu (パルマン)
I took part in the Akabane Baka Matsuri for the first time!
And this time I was performing, instead of watching!
It was the first time in my adult life that I had stepped in front of an audience to do anything.
I felt anxious and nervous, but the enjoyment was even greater, and I learned so much too.
My teacher, Beni, gave the wonderful performance you would expect from him, and the audience looked like they were having such a good time! It was breathtaking.
I hope more people discover how wonderful flamenco is, and how wonderful Beni is!
I am full of gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the Akabane festival. Thank you!
I would definitely love to take part next time too!
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Kawase Naoko
April 28: Akabane Baka Matsuri
You gave us another chance to share a memorable time with friends.
The other day, at the studio performance, I watched the more experienced students dance with so much feeling. Sharing that rising wave of emotion with my friends, I thought, “Ah… what a lovely moment.”
I was thinking, “To be able to spend time like this… I’m so glad I took the plunge and came to Beni’s studio.”
But even so… I wanted to put on my favorite costume, add my hair accessories, and just dance while laughing and having a lively time with my friends! Still, I’m not good enough to perform in a live show… so I wondered whether there might be another opportunity.
The Akabane Baka Matsuri? I didn’t know much about it, and I wondered what joining a neighborhood festival would be like. But more than 50 people came together after just one invitation from Beni. Amazing! That made me think, “All right, I’ll give it a go!”
That was the easygoing spirit in which I joined, but Beni and the other teachers brought so much energy with their passionate dancing. They also made sure we drank water to look after our health. The practice videos were really easy to follow and helped me so much. I realize that it is the teachers’ support that lets me enjoy all this, and I am full of gratitude.
Well done to everyone who took part together!
Let’s keep creating lovely flamenco moments together at Beni’s studio!