preview Main events in March and April
MAREAPRE2003

National Theatre of Greece - "Antigone" by Sophocles
An immortal tragedy brings alive the world of Greek mythology
Mar. 11th (Tue.) - 16th (Sun.)Hall C
11th, 13th, 14th - 19:00 / 12th, 15th, 16th - 14:00
Tickets: S - 9,500 yen / A - 8,000 yen / B - 7,000 yen / C - 5,000 yen




©Atsushi Iijima
In 2004, the Olympics will return to Athens in Greece, original home of the Games in the classical era. As part of a "Cultural Olympiade" promoted by the Greek government to commemorate this, an invitation performance by the National Theatre of Greece, visiting Japan for the 4th time and the first time in 4 years, will be staged in Hall C. Classical Greek tragedy was first created in Athens in the 5th century BC. The works of the three great tragedians - Aischylos, Sophocles, and Euripedes - portray the eternal truth of human society, as it continues to vacillate between love and desire, ideals and reality. The tragedy "Antigone" was completed by Sophocles on the basis of Greek mythology. Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus, who unwittingly killed his own father and married his own mother. Performed in modern Greek, the play tells the story of Antigone as she struggles with her destiny. An earphone guide with simultaneous commentary will be available to assist understanding of the narrative (rentable at the venue on the day). The translated stage script may also be purchased. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy one of the finest works of Greek tragedy, performed and directed by the finest exponents of the art.

"Public Drama Masterclass" also scheduled

Starting at 19:00 on March 12th (Wed.), a Public Drama Masterclass will be held in Hall C of the Tokyo International Forum. Those wishing to take part should apply to the Nippon Cultural Center using a reply-postcard (1 per applicant), stating their name, address, occupation, and age. Applications should arrive by February 15th at the latest. If oversubscribed, participants will be selected by lots.
* For details of the translated stage script, please contact the Nippon Cultural Center.

Inquiries: Nippon Cultural Center
31st Floor, Kasumigaseki Bldg., 3-2-5 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6031
Tel: 03-3580-0031
http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~ncc/


Yosui Inoue Concert - Blue Selection Tour
All eyes on Yosui as he enters a new "jazzy" phase!
March 20th (Thu.) - 21st (Fri.) Hall A @ 20th - 19:00 / 21st - 17:00
Tickets: S - 8,400 yen / A - 7,350 yen (including tax / reserved seating only)
* No admission to preschool infants

Yosui Inoue has continued to produce his own brand of original music ever since the "golden age" of folk music back in the 1970's. He now stands at the forefront of the Japanese music world as an essential hit-maker. His latest album "Blue Selection", consisting of acoustic songs with a taste of jazz, was released last November. As well as new songs penned for the album, it also includes versions of famous hits like "Kori no Sekai" (World of Ice) and "Aozora, Hitorikiri" (Blue Skies, All Alone), given new life with a four-beat jazzy sound. Supporting him on stage for his 2003 opener will be popular and talented jazz drummer Hideo Yamaki, fusion guitarists Tsuyoshi Kon and Tsuneo Imahori, bassist Chiharu Mikuzuki, pianist Yoshinobu Kojima, and other notables. Hall A already seems to have become a "home ground" for him. So what will be new this time? This show promises much of interest, not least to fans, as Yosui Inoue reveals a new side to his talents.

Inquiries: Kyodo Tokyo Inc.
Tel: 03-3498-9999
http://www.kyodotokyo.com


8th International Contemporary Art Festival Tokyo
(NICAF2003 Tokyo)
Asia's biggest contemporary arts festival
April 4th (Fri.) - 7th (Mon.) Exhibition Hall, Audiovisual Hall 10:00-20:00
Tickets: 1 day - 1,000 yen / 4 days - 1,500 yen / Students 500 yen


Scene from the previous event (2001)

Tokyo Governor Ishihara touring the venue after the Opening Ceremony
The International Contemporary Art Festival (NICAF) was started in 1992 with the aim of "disseminating and developing contemporary arts that enrich the human spirit". This is Asia's largest contemporary art festival, assembling top-class examples of modern art from around the world under one roof. In the 7 previous festivals, some 600 galleries from 23 countries around the world have taken part, with around 20,000 exhibits viewed by a total of 500,000 visitors. The 8th NICAF, to be held over 4 days from April 4th to 7th, will feature some 1,800 works from 70 galleries from Japan and abroad. This time, as before, the main focus will be on outstanding works from famous artists, as well as up-and-coming new talent. This will be augmented by a varied program, including a symposium and the special exhibit "Tokyo International Video Art Show", to renew acquaintance with expressions of contemporary art and to reconfirm and rediscover their appeal. We expect a large turnout of visitors wishing to experience the new winds of contemporary art.

Inquiries: NICAF Executive Office
Tel: 03-5212-1925
http://www.nicaf.com





Gokaku EXPO 2003
Mar. 5th (Wed.) Hall A, Exhibition Hall 10:00 Admission: Free

Gokaku EXPO 2003 is held every year to provide valuable opportunities for everyone who seeks better opportunities for children. The two-part program consists of a lecture meeting (Hall A) and an exhibition (Exhibition Hall). In the former, a wealth of specific and useful information will be provided, including an overview of this year's entrance examinations, education from now on, and the future for children. At the Exhibition, meanwhile, around 130 private junior high schools from the metropolitan region will be represented, each using highly creative display techniques to present their own case. Other interesting features will include talks by teachers from the schools and displays of original goods. Admission is free, so please drop in and have a look. (Those wishing to attend the lecture meeting are requested to apply in advance.)

Inquiries: Nichinoken
Tel: 045-473-2311


Power Mart and Trade Expo 2003
Mar. 27th (Thu.) - 28th (Fri.) Hall B, Reception Hall Admission: 3,000 yen

This is Japan's first show and conference (exhibition) on the subject of energy trading, mainly electric power, aiming to propose solutions for environmental and energy issues. In Japan, the deregulation of power providers is now underway, and creating a new power market is becoming a specific policy issue. This could therefore be seen as a time of great change, in which utility formats are being rebuilt to suit the needs of the times. Japan's power demand market, reportedly worth 15 trillion yen today, is expected to expand to the 100 trillion yen level as a result of deregulation. This will have massive knock-on effects for the economy. The leading-edge information offered by this event will surely have an inestimable impact and significance for the Japanese economy as a whole.

Inquiries: Power Mart and Trade Expo Management Office
Tel: 03-3503-7611
http://www.a-tex.co.jp/power-expo


Japan Health Care Dental Association
6th Health Care Symposium
Intervention and Preventive for Patients Lifetime - Dental Benefits Focusing on Prosthetic Treatment

Scene from the previous event
Mar. 8th (Sat.) - 9th (Sun.) Hall C, Reception Hall, L-Gallery (2), G-Block Conference Rooms, G-Lounge 8th, 13:00-20:15 / 9th, 9:00-17:00 Admission: 8th Pre-event - Members 5,000 yen, Non-Members 10,000 yen / 9th Symposium - Member Doctors 12,000 yen, Non-Member Doctors 16,000 yen, other Members 4,000 yen, other Non-Members 6,000 yen

The Japan Health Care Dental Association is a national organization involved in research & training, system and environmental development, public information and other activities aimed at disseminating new approaches to dental treatments that protect and nurture dental health over the patient's lifetime. This reflects a shift from conventional dental treatment, with its focus on reactive treatment, to a proactive philosophy of prevention based on risk control. The Health Care Symposium is held every year as part of these activities, this year's event being the 6th of its kind. The theme this year will be "Intervention and Preventive for Patients Lifetime - Dental Benefits Focusing on Prosthetic Treatment". Specific and practical approaches aimed at materializing this will be examined from a variety of angles, while seeking out new directions for the future.

Inquiries: Japan Health Care Dental Association
Tel: 03-5227-3716
http://www.healthcare.gr.jp


The Elvis Story
Apr. 26th (Sat.) - May 11th (Sun.) Hall C Performance times: See below Tickets: S - 9,500 yen / A - 8,000 yen (including tax / reserved seating only)

Elvis Presley, "the King", was the force behind American rock'n'roll in its infancy. "The Elvis Story" is a tribute musical celebrating his life with 40 specially selected songs, bringing Elvis back to life with sublime stage skill and direction. The atmosphere of live performance in his day is faithfully reproduced using fashion and projected images. This work, presenting Presley's life in the form of a rock'n'roll musical, was first produced in Quebec, Canada, and is still enjoying long runs, particularly in North America. This is its first visit to Asia. Travel back through time to the America of the 50's through 70's. Feel the heat of raw emotion!

Inquiries: Disk Garage
Tel: 03-5436-9600 (weekdays 12:00-19:00 only)
http://www.elvisstory.jp

Performance schedule


Mai Kuraki Fairy Tale Tour 02-03
Apr. 27th (Sun.) - 28th (Mon.) Hall A 18:30 Tickets: S - 6,000 yen / A - 5,500 yen (tax included)

Mai Kuraki has caused a sensation in the Japanese music industry, with a string of million-selling hits since her debut and sales of more than 4 million for her debut album "delicious way". And she didn't stop there, reaching a double million for her second album "Perfect Crime" before releasing an all-English album "Secret of my Heart" across the US in January 2002. Her richly original sound, transcending all barriers of language, as well as her massive potential as a singer-songwriter, have brought her into the gaze of the world. In October last year, she released her third album "Fairy Tale", then embarked on a nationwide concert tour that would last about 8 months, starting on her 20th birthday, October 28th. Don't miss this long-awaited live performance.

Inquiries: Hayashi International Promotion
Tel: 03-3475-9999
http://www.hipjpn.co.jp

Paul Anka and His Orchestra

It started with "Diana"... "You Are My Destiny" thrilled us... And the sounds of "My Way" still echo in our hearts.
Paul Anka and His Orchestra
Mar. 15th (Sat.) - 16th (Sun.) Hall A 15th - 18:00 / 16th - 17:00 Tickets: S- 8,500 yen / A- 7,500 yen (tax included)

Back when we first heard the sounds of popular music... when we were all still young... his songs stirred our emotions, moved our hearts, conjured up moods... And now he returns, his image of glamour by no means diminished.

Scheduled numbers
"Diana", "You Are My Destiny", "Crazy Love", "Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head On My Shoulder", "My Home Town", "Cinderella", "My Way", and many more smash hits!

Inquiries: JEC International
Tel: 03-5474-5944
http://www.jec-international.co.jp
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