Bon Odori: Notes for Dancers

Best Information as of july 30, 2025

Here we are sharing our best advice to our members and friends dancing in the Bon Odori as of the date shown above.

Rehearsals

As this is written, you still have time to attend the last rehearsal tonight at Wednesday, July 30, at 7 p.m. in the Annex Hall.

Special Times, Notes, for Dancers at the Bon Odori on August 2

Schedule

Although the gates open at 4:30 p.m. the Temple will allow dancers wishing help to dress in Yukata or Kimono to start earlier.

3:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Changing rooms on the ground level of the Annex Hall will be available for dancers to change into yukata or kimono. Female dancers will use room 5, male dancers will use room 3. Knowledgeable volunteer dressers are available to assist in several classrooms on the first floor of the Annex Hall. Please consider tipping the dressers for this service.

4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. The Hondo will be open for anyone wishing to offer incense.

5:00 p.m. to close. There will be a giant portable Obutsudan near the double

6:15 p.m. Dancers will line up in front of classrooms 4 and 5.

6:25 p.m. The dancer processional will come out with the Hatsubon families in the front, making one full circle around the yagura. Hatsubon Families will prepare to hang their lanterns. Bill Teague, CMA will announce the names of the Hatsubon Families. Bill will welcome the dancers and introduce Andrea Covarrubis, who will read “What is Obon.” Opening Gassho.

6:30 p.m. Emcee will announce the first song

7:20 p.m. Half-time break. Water and punch will be passed out to the dancers. Taiko groups will perform.

7:45 p.m. Dancing resumes

8:45 p.m. Dancing close. Bill Teague, CMA, offers closing Gassho.

Jr. YBA Drawing, and Odori Cleanup begin.

Full List of Dances

First Half
1. Bon Odori Uta
2. Kyo Mo Egao de Konnichiwa
3. Asadoya Yunta == Special live performance by Mr. Masanobu Kinjo on Okinawan shamisen.
4. Tanko Bushi
5. Lantern Song
6. Pokemon Ondo
7. Kuroshio Bayashi (tenugui, towel)
8. Hokkai No Abarembo

Second Half
9. Ei Ja Nai Ka == Special live performance by Karly Maruyama and Raymond with Taiko.
10. Akachan Ondo (kachi kachi, clackers)
11. Tokyo Ondo
12. Hanabi Ondo
13. Jin Jin Hokkai Bon Uta (osensu/uchiwa, fans—folding or flat)
14. Shiawase Samba
15. Beautiful Sunday
16. 1 + 1
17. Bon Odori Uta

Gratitude to Our Talented Teachers

Avis Honda
Breven Honda
JoAnn Hotta
Eugene Hotta 
Junko Kajita
Kimberly Kruse
Juliana Kruse
Sue Moribe
Shirley Omori
Jamie Shimizu

Bon Again Shop Returns

For dancing extras like fans, clackers, and headcloths (uchiwa, kachi-kachi, tenegui) or kimono and yukata and geta , the shop will be open for dancers before and after the Wednesday, July 30 practice, and at 4:30 p.m. at the Bon Odori on August 2.

BT SD