Japanese Bunraku artistry comes to Sonoma

Over the course of the next two weeks, Sonoma students and the community at large will have chance to experience Bunraku puppetry, thanks to a visit by a traveling troupe brought to town by Sonoma Cultural Exchange.

Bunraku Ningyo Bunraku is an artistic and complex puppetry technique of Japan. It is accompanied by narrative chanting and shamisen music. Each nearly life-sized puppet requires three puppeteers to bring it to life.

The Sonoma performances features the world-renowned bunraku performer Kanroku and his Osaka-based Mokugu-sha company presenting both a work from the traditional canon and a new collaboration with Native American artist Sage Andrew Romero, an accomplished Hoop Dancer and storyteller.

Performances and workshops will take place on Friday, Oct. 28, and Monday, Nov. 1, at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, Sonoma Academy, Adele Harrison Middle School and at St. Francis Solano School.

Additional performances are scheduled for the Berkeley Art Museum, Japantown and SF State.

The Bunraku puppeteers will give lecture/demonstrations and perform traditional pieces for the students.

The performance on Friday evening, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is open to the public. 'Be prepared for a rare treat, filled with dramatic myths and legends,' said SVMA executive director Linda Cano. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children at svma.org.

On Sunday, Oct. 30, there will be a family-friendly torchlight performance at a private home in Sonoma from 5 to 6 p.m. The first performance will be a collaboration of the Bunraku Ningyo Puppet and dancers from the Sonoma Academy of Dance.

The second will be Kanroku and his company Mokugusha's solo including the traditional and contemporary pieces.

The third is a world premiere of collaboration between Kanroku and Sage Andrew Romeo and his drummer.

There is a suggested donation $10 for children and $20 for adults. Visit sonomaculturalexchange.org for tickets.