A List of Major Events Outline
*Based on information available as of 21 December 2004, and subject to change.
EXPO Super World Orchestra “EXPO 2005 Symphony Concert”
March 25, Friday
EXPO Dome
The Orchestra will be organized especially to celebrate the opening of EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN, and conducted by Yutaka Sado. It will be composed of over 100 first-rate musicians from the five continents.
In the Evening at Koi Pond
March 25, Friday to September 25, Sunday 20:00 - 20:30 (to be cancelled depending on weather conditions)
Koi-Pond
A magical tale will unfold against the background of a pond and a forest as symbols of Japan's natural environment. Consisting of four parts ("Earth," "Life," "Civilization," and "Future") and produced by Robert Wilson, the Evening will be a beguiling dream dramatized with water and light.
EXPO 2005 Opening Event (tentative title)
From March 25, Friday for about one week
EXPO Plaza
Kansai Yamamoto will produce the event to open EXPO 2005. As the ultimate project for a vibrant Japan, it will be a both dynamic and lovely expression of "Nature's Wisdom," transmitting the power of "genki" (life energy) from Japan to the rest of the world, and into the future. It will begin around sundown and last for about 30 minutes.
EXPO 2005 AICHI Opening Kabuki Dance Festival
From March 25, Friday to March 27, Sunday
EXPO Hall
New cultural creation event: Show & Walk, produced by Laurie Anderson
March 25, Friday to late April
EXPO Plaza, Japanese Garden and others
Embodying her unique world, Laurie Anderson's creation will consist of two parts: "Show" and "Walk." The former will be a work of video art revolving around the theme of "time," flashed on the big EXPO Vision screen in EXPO Plaza. The latter will consist of art installations that will be set up in the Japanese Garden and use both visual and musical means to enchant visitors walking through them.
185 Performance Circuit
March 25, Friday to September 25, Sunday
Mainly at Global Loop and Global Commons
Garbed in dazzling costumes, the performance team Sol Ban Ban will parade along the Global Loop and entertain visitors with their lively dance and musical instruments. In the Global Commons, street performers from various countries will display fabulous,first-rate stunts.
Special version of NHK Nodojiman amateur singing contest at EXPO 2005
March 26, Saturday: preliminary selection; March 27, Sunday: main selection
EXPO Dome
NHK Nodojiman is the popular long-running amateur singing contest program aired at noon on Sundays. NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) will broadcast a special version of Nodojiman live from the EXPO 2005 site.
EXPO 2005 Message Events
March 27, Sunday; March 28, Monday
EXPO Dome and others in Nagoya
The first of its kind in World Expo history, this event will be a collection of relayed symposia and theme events to deliberate the EXPO 2005 theme of "Nature's Wisdom." Once every month, international symposia will be staged both on and off the EXPO 2005 site with the participation of noted authorities from all over the world, onCreation of Sustainable Society. They will be accompanied by visitor-participation-oriented workshops, talk sessions, and concerts.
The Forest Fairy's Ball
Early April to September 25, Sunday 17:00 - 18:00 (excluding periods of special events)
EXPO Plaza
Tatuya Ishii was involved in all aspects of this new composite art, from story to sets. Dance and computer graphics performance with fairies and sprites conveys the unheard scream of nature.
New Cultural Creation Event: Laurie Andersen Live
April 2, Saturday; April 3, Sunday
EXPO Dome
In "Live," which will be linked to "Show & Walk," Laurie Andersen will put on a multimedia performance in person under the EXPO Dome.
Family Treasure Appraisers in EXPO 2005
April 3, Sunday
EXPO Hall
The popular TV Tokyo program "Family Treasure Appraisers" will stage its traveling appraisal show on the EXPO 2005 site. In this spot, the program experts will appraise the treasures brought to them by viewers in the area. Because EXPO 2005 is the first World Exposition of the 21st century, the program is expected to attract precious articles that speak of Expo history.
Grand Sumo Tournament in EXPO 2005
April 4, Monday
EXPO Dome
The "yokozuna" (grand champions) and all the other wrestlers of the "makuuchi" senior grade will be in the Tournament. Spectators will be able to see the ritual sumo bouts and ring-entrance ceremony, followed by matches with all the excitement of the official ones. The Tournament will be held in conjunction with the pavilion day event at the Mountain of Dreams, the seven-company joint pavilion produced by Chunichi Shimbun.
EXPO 2005 Message Events
April 7, Thursday; April 16, Saturday
EXPO Dome and others in Nagoya
The first of its kind in World Expo history, this event will be a collection of relayed symposia and theme events to deliberate the EXPO 2005 theme of "Nature's Wisdom." Once every month, international symposia will be staged both on and off the EXPO 2005 site with the participation of noted authorities from all over the world, onCreation of Sustainable Society. They will be accompanied by visitor-participation-oriented workshops, talk sessions, and concerts.
World competition of the Sportsaerobic
April 8, Friday to April 10, Sunday
EXPO Dome
National champions more than 20 countries from all over the world will competefor the place of world champion.
21st Century EXPO 2005 University
April 9, Saturday
EXPO Hall
The University will be opened by the Aichi Institute of Technology and hold sessions throughout the run of EXPO 2005. In it, major figures in various fields will make proposals on the proper relationship between science and humankind. The first session will be led by astronaut Mamoru Mohri in EXPO Hall.
Concert by the Winners of the Music Competition of Japan in EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN
April 10, Sunday
EXPO Dome
The winners of top prizes in the Music Competition of Japan, which can count about 90 percent of Japan's best musicians among its past entrants, will stage a concert to commemorate their victory. Visitors can look forward to a highly artistic performance of classical music by promising young musicians.
CBC Radio All-Cast Gathering in EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN
April 10, Sunday
EXPO Plaza
The CBC Radio personalities will come together in the EXPO Plaza for a fun-filled program of talk, song, comedy. The personalities in question include Norio Tsuboi, Hideshi Ito, Kiyomi Yano, Yukari Hirano, and Hirofumi Bamba.
Love The Earth: Sarah Brightman
April 12, Tuesday
EXPO Dome
With a voice described at the most beautiful in the world, soprano vocalist Sarah Brightman continues to enchant music lovers in all countries, and will sing with orchestral accompaniment in the Love The Earth concert under the EXPO Dome.
Global Harmony Concert: Prayers to the World
April 17, Sunday; April 18, Monday
EXPO Dome
In the concert, the audience will be able to hear performances of Buddhist "shomyo" (vocal music), Islamic "maqam," medieval Gregorian chant, and American gospel music under the same roof. In the finale, all of the choral groups will sing together.
ZIP HOT 100 from EXPO 2005 AICHI
April 17, Sunday
EXPO Plaza
The popular radio program ZIP HOT 100 will broadcast a countdown of the top 100 Japanese and Western hits in the Tokai region. In this special version, it will also air live performances by major artists on the site.
Earth Day EXPO
April 22, Friday
EXPO Plaza
Begun in 1970, Earth Day is now observed in 184 countries and regions on April 22, and will also be celebrated at EXPO 2005. As one of the EXPO 2005 symbol contents, the event will be designed to make each and every participant aware of his or her global citizenship and embody the EXPO themes. It will also make a far-reaching appeal for Earth Day as a global movement for protection of the environment. The plans include video messages and live performances by artists supporting the Earth Day spirit.
Aichi Week - Part 1
April 23, Saturday to April 29, Friday
EXPO Dome, EXPO Hall, EXPO Plaza, Japan Plaza and others
Highlighted by an unprecedented parade of some 100 ceremonial floats and a recreation of a genuine Owari Tsushima Tenno Festival of Straw Boats, which has a history of more than 500 years, Aichi Week will be full of events that showcase the prefectural culture.
World Police Band Concert in EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN
April 30, Sunday; May 1, Sunday
EXPO Dome and others
Besides those from Tokyo, Osaka, and Aichi within Japan, the Concert will include performances by police department bands from the USA, Korea, Singapore, and China. Visitors will also be able to hear two of the world's three most famous uniformed police bands: the Musique des Gardiens de la Paix de Paris and the Banda del Carablnierl.
New Cultural Creation Event: Musical Fantasy "HARMONY"
May 1, Sunday to May 8, Sunday
EXPO Hall
A co-production between Japan and Canada, “Harmony” will make its exciting world premiere at Aichi Expo 2005. With child doctor Shin and his courageous friends taking action in trying to save lives all over planet earth, the story depicts the horrors of destroying our nature and tells us about the importance of true love and respect – in other words, harmony, amongst all living beings upon this earth. TDC from Quebec will manipulate their special gigantic puppets and with the combination of visual and music, the whole show has been staged into a totally original spectacle full of powerful imagination. 48 children from the audience will also be participating in the show. In addition, please enjoy the wonderful “harmony” created between the audience and stage.
New Cultural Creation Event: "LIVE! OKUNI"
May 4, Wednesday to May 6, Friday
EXPO Dome
The Japanese Musical "OKUNI" has been won universal accolades since its debut in 1990. It will perform live in a 70-minute show of singing and dancing on the huge stage under the EXPO Dome.The main actress is "Nana Kinomi", known as a proud Japanese performer.
Music Innovation 2005: National Street Culture Festival VOICE 2005: Collaboration of Music and Nature
May 7, Saturday; May 8, Sunday
EXPO Plaza
These two musical events will be held on a daily basis. Music Innovation 2005 will bring together street musicians from all parts of Japan for performances throughout the EXPO Plaza, while VOICE 2005 will be a collaborative mix of video images of nature and live performances.
Forum: Creativity in the 21st Century with Nobel Laureates, Science Forum in EXPO 2005
May 15, Sunday
EXPO Hall
This will be an EXPO 2005 version of "21st-Century Creation," the annual forum with Nobel Prize winners dedicated to breeding a creative spirit in youth as the leaders of the 21st century. Revolving around the theme of "Nature's Wisdom," the Forum will consist of keynote speeches and Q&A sessions.
EXPO 2005 Concert by Kiyoshi Hikawa
May 15, Sunday
EXPO Dome
As Japan's "singing ambassador of goodwill," Kiyoshi Hikawa will sing the official EXPO theme song and a variety of popular numbers in concerts that are part of his nationwide tour. He is scheduled to give two shows.
EXPO 2005 Message Events
May 21, Saturday
EXPO Dome and others in Nagoya
The first of its kind in World Expo history, this event will be a collection of relayed symposia and theme events to deliberate the EXPO 2005 theme of "Nature's Wisdom." Once every month, international symposia will be staged both on and off the EXPO 2005 site with the participation of noted authorities from all over the world, onCreation of Sustainable Society. They will be accompanied by visitor-participation-oriented workshops, talk sessions, and concerts.
Philip Glass Cinema Concert: "Koyaanisqatsi", "Powaqatsi", "Naqoyqatsi"
May 22, Sunday to May 24, Tuesday
EXPO Dome
A video poem about the interrelationship of the environment, civilization, and humankind illustrated with stunning images and stirring music, the Concert will be staged for three consecutive nights. Philip Glass, its composer, will personally serve as a concertmaster and lead an ensemble of musicians playing to the film presentation.
RADIO-i COCONUTS DRIVE EXPO SPECIAL
May 22, Sunday
EXPO Hall
A special version of the popular RADIO-i program “Coconuts Drive” will be broadcasted live from the EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN site. KONISHIKI, Vance K, and other guests will be there to give the taste of Hawaii with authentic music and topics.
Teenage Graffiti Concert 2005
May 28, Saturday; May 29, Sunday
EXPO Dome
This concert was launched in 2000, the very last year of the 20th century, to pass the heritage of folk music on to the 21st century. It promises to charge the EXPO grounds with a tremendous energy.
"Chi" Dialogue: "Whither Japanese Culture?"
Late May to late June
Tea Ceremony House at Japanese Garden in Nagakute area
In the old days, samurai would gather in tea ceremony rooms to debate affairs in Japan and the world. At EXPO 2005, internationally active women will get together at a tea room constructed in the Nagakute Area for discussion on "chi" (knowledge/intelligence). Their host will be Hayao Kawai, Japan's leading clinical psychologist. The guests will include violinist Midori Goto. The talk will take up all topics from Japanese culture to the question of where the world is heading.
EXPO 2005 Message Events
June 2, Thursday, June 5, Sunday
EXPO Dome and others in Nagoya
The first of its kind in World Expo history, this event will be a collection of relayed symposia and theme events to deliberate the EXPO 2005 theme of "Nature's Wisdom." Once every month, international symposia will be staged both on and off the EXPO 2005 site with the participation of noted authorities from all over the world, onCreation of Sustainable Society. They will be accompanied by visitor-participation-oriented workshops, talk sessions, and concerts.
Japan Day/Japan Week
June 6, Monday to June 12, Sunday
EXPO Dome and others
Along with the song "Share the World", composed by Sadao Watanabe, a world-famous jazz musician and Director-General of the Japan Pavilion Projects, these events will help broaden exchange among children of the world, and demonstrate the appeal of Japanese culture to people in other countries.
Short-Short Film Festival EXPO 2005
June 16, Thursday to June 19, Sunday
EXPO Dome, EXPO Plaza
A festival dedicated to short films, SSFF introduces and promotes the works of young and talented filmmakers. This EXPO version will show works based on the theme of ""Nature's Wisdom"".
Noh Theater "Kocho" - Feast of Noh and Ballet
June 20, Monday
EXPO Hall
This event will be a veritable feast of Noh theater and ballet with colorful costuming by Hanae Mori. Audiences will be treated to a performance of the Noh play "Kocho" by Kiyokazu Kanze, the 26th head of the venerable Kanze school, and another of ballet of the same title choreographed by Asami Maki, the two vying with each other in an aesthetic spectacle. The stage will be decorated with arranged flowers by Shougo Kariyazaki, the innovative floral artist.
Global Harmony Concert: "Pops Goes Around - Joining the Orchestra in Fun with Pops"
June 25, Saturday; June 26, Sunday
EXPO Dome
Led by musical composer and arranger Akira Miyagawa, who will serve as both conductor and emcee, the Concert will be an instructive and entertaining program treating pops music from a worldwide perspective. The Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra will play pops numbers and movie soundtracks born of classical music. For pops lovers, it will be a blissful time of joining the orchestra in enjoyment of pops. Keiko Lee and Kiyotaka Imai will take part as guests.
FM AICHI, JFN, Special Act from EXPO 2005 Site
July 2, Saturday
EXPO Hall
Japan FM Network (JFN) is a membership of 38 stations national network including FM AICHI and TOKYO FM. JFN broadcast live-program all over the country from the EXPO 2005 site.
Global Peace Forum: Aichi Declaration for Global Peace
July 9, Saturday
EXPO Hall
The first expo to be held in the 21st century, Expo 2005, Aichi, Japan, coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto that called for the abolition of nuclear weapons in 1955. It is with this background that we have decided to hold Forum for a Peaceful Earth to identify the distinct perils of the 21st century, and find the intelligence to achieve peace and harmony among the earth and man as well as among people. World’s intellectual leaders are to be invited to share their wisdom for bringing peace to the world. In this forum, the world the Aichi Manifesto for a Peaceful Earth, will be declared, which shall be the message for peace for humanity on the earth in the 21st century.
5th World Ballet & Modern Dance Concours Opening Ceremony and His Imperial Highness Prince Takamado Memorial Special Gala Opening Performance
July 9, Saturday
EXPO Dome
The EXPO 2005 will be the scene of the opening ceremony for the World Ballet & Modern Dance Concours and a special gala opening performance staged in the memory of His Imperial Highness Prince Takamado. The schedule includes appearances by Miyako Yoshida and the H. ART CHAOS group.
Global Harmony Concert: EXPO Special Review Amour Takarazuka: "Love Makes the World Go Round"
July 13, Wednesday; July14, Thursday
EXPO Dome
The all-female Takarazuka theater troupe has a 90-year history, and the Review will have a cast whose members all graduated from of it and went on to varied and successful show-business careers over the subsequent years. They will demonstrate their collective craft in a richly diverse show of dynamic dance, song, and talk.
Love The Earth: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble
July 22, Friday to August 3, Wednesday (tentative)
EXPO Dome, EXPO Hall and others
This concert will be given on the EXPO 2005 site by Yo-Yo Ma, the internationally active virtuoso cellist, and the Silk Road Ensemble, for which he serves as artistic director. The Ensemble is composed of over 20 world-class artists from countries such as China, Iran, Korea, and Japan.
EXPO 2005 Message Events
July 23, Saturday; July 24, Sunday
EXPO Dome and others in Nagoya
The first of its kind in World Expo history, this event will be a collection of relayed symposia and theme events to deliberate the EXPO 2005 theme of "Nature's Wisdom." Once every month, international symposia will be staged both on and off the EXPO 2005 site with the participation of noted authorities from all over the world, onCreation of Sustainable Society. They will be accompanied by visitor-participation-oriented workshops, talk sessions, and concerts.
The 16th Royal Insitution Christmas Lectures in Japan ‘ To the end of the Earth:surviving Antarctic extremes ’.
July 30, Saturday; July 31, Sunday
EXPO Hall
This seriese of lectures will be delivered by Professor Lloyd Peck from the British Antarctic Survey. Professor Peck will be presenting the amazing wildlife and breathtaking scenery of Earth’s last wilderness and revealing the biggest question of what we must do as individuals and as a society, if we’re going to reduce the effects of global climate change.
Sports Summit for the Environment in EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN "Sports and the Environment" Declaration
July 31, Sunday
EXPO Dome
The United Nations has determined that 2005 will be the “International Year of Sports and Education” while at the same time serve as the first year of the “Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.” UN is using various methods to solve issues on a global scale and there is much expectation on the role of sports in doing this. To this end, we have made plans to use the opportunity of 2005 Expo, Aichi and the popularity of sports to send a message about protecting our environment to the entire world. This is the foundation for the “Sports Summit for the Environment 2005).The executive committee (SSE2005) is proactively soliciting the cooperation of top world-class athletes, international sports associations and international organizations, such as the United Nations with the intent of issuing a “Joint Declarations for Sports and the Environment (Tentative Name)” to sports enthusiasts around the world.
Meets: Swing on Swing & Sing
August 6, Saturday
EXPO Dome
With a line-up of Japan's top professional vocalists and big bands on the amateur, student, and semi-professional levels, the talent invited for this event could only be assembled by Tokai TV. They will put on a collaborative performance.
Tokai Radio Special: "WE LOVE THE EARTH"
August 7, Sunday
EXPO Dome
Artists from animation game programs that have an enormous following among teens across the country will together send out a message. The cast includes Manami Komori, Chihiro Yonekura, Yumi Kakazu, and angela.
Sadao Watanabe Rhythm World (tentative title)
August 17, Wednesday; August 18, Sunday
EXPO Dome
Under the direction of Sadao Watanabe, a world-fomous jazz musician, musical groups from various countries will perform both individually and in collaboration. Performances will continue into the night, with the audience and performers blending together to become a single entity.
EXPO 2005 Message Events
August 27, Saturday; August 28, Sunday
EXPO Dome and others in Nagoya
The first of its kind in World Expo history, this event will be a collection of relayed symposia and theme events to deliberate the EXPO 2005 theme of "Nature's Wisdom." Once every month, international symposia will be staged both on and off the EXPO 2005 site with the participation of noted authorities from all over the world, onCreation of Sustainable Society. They will be accompanied by visitor-participation-oriented workshops, talk sessions, and concerts.
MEITETSU LEEO: Experiencing a Musical –Yume no Chikara
August 27, Saturday; August 28, Sunday
EXPO Dome
MEITETSU LEEO, a unique civic orchestra using ethnic instruments from around the world, will stage a concert with the participation of world-class musicians. The concert will be a venue where people from all countries will share completely new global sounds.
Singing of the Real Japan
August 27, Saturday to August 30, Tuesday
EXPO Hall
Japanese songs that have been enjoyed from generation to generation will be introduced to the rest of the world. This concert will feature appearances by noted artists such as Akiko Yano and Rimi Natsukawa. It will run for four days, with two performers per day. The repertoire will center on Japanese standards, children's songs, and choral numbers as well as their original songs.
24-hour TV 28: "Love Will Save the World"
Late August
EXPO Dome
The 24-hour TV program concerns of human welfare, the environment, and ecology are in accord with the EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN concept. The program will broadcast scenes of concerts and other events from the EXPO site.
21st Century EXPO 2005 University
September 10, Saturday
EXPO Hall
The University will be opened by the Aichi Institute of Technology and hold sessions throughout the run of EXPO 2005. In it, major figures in various fields will make proposals on the proper relationship of science and humankind. The 13th and final session will be held on the EXPO site under the leadership of philosopher Takeshi Umehara, who will tie together the strands of discussion on the major issues facing the globe in the 21st century.
Noh and Kyogen Theater: "Flowering Tradition"
September 12, Monday
EXPO Dome
Top actors of Noh and Kyogen, designated as World Intangible Cultural Heritage, will stage performances of traditional Japanese theater for all the world to see. On the bill will be seven major plays, including "Funa Benkei" (Noh) and "Utsubozaru" (Kyogen).
Aichi Week - Part 2
September 13, Tuesday to September 19, Monday
EXPO Dome, EXPO Hall, EXPO Plaza, Japan Plaza and others
Part 2 will be filled with an impressive array of cosmopolitan events to both symbolize and guide Aichi in the "global age," including the Asia Pop Festival,produced by Shinji Tanimura and Aichi Art Awards 2005.
EXPO 2005 Message Events
September 21, Wednesday
EXPO Dome
The first of its kind in World Expo history, this event will be a collection of relayed symposia and theme events to deliberate the EXPO 2005 theme of "Nature's Wisdom." Once every month, international symposia will be staged both on and off the EXPO 2005 site with the participation of noted authorities from all over the world, onCreation of Sustainable Society. They will be accompanied by visitor-participation-oriented workshops, talk sessions, and concerts.
“EXPO 2005 Symphony” Final Concert
September 25, Sunday
Expo Dome
The “EXPO Super Japan Orchestra” will perform a special concert for the Closing Event of the EXPO 2005, Aichi, Japan; some of Japan's best musical talent will be participating in this event. Now for the final celebration, the EXPO 2005 Symphony will include selections from the future host nations of the World Exposition, Spain and China, to fill the stage with international color and flair.
