Akari Village is a J-pop cover band based in the East Village. With a playlist ranging from old ‘80s City Pop to anime theme songs to today’s hits, Akari Village will bring their energy to Berlin, NYC’s premier small music venue. They’ll be joined by Amber Balleras and Owen Chen Trio.

To purchase tickets, please visit Berlin’s website.

Akari Village

Will Okada – Vocals/Violin
Nozomi Yoshinaka – Guitar
Shiharu Yamashita – Vocals
Winston Yang – Piano
Marwan Ramen – Bass
Jacob Byrd – Drums

Follow Akari Village on Instagram.

Akari Village: J-Pop + Anime Live

Thursday, March 6 from 8:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

The Red Pavilion – 1241 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn

Admission: $17.28 – $64.29

Akari Village also has an upcoming performance at The Red Pavilion, an Asian neo-noir cabaret and nightclub in Bushwick, Brooklyn, in early March. Walk-ins welcome. There is a one-drink minimum per person for table service. To purchase tickets, please visit The Red Pavilion’s website.

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Susan McCormac 1/22/25 Susan McCormac 1/22/25

Candlelight Concerts Feature Joe Hisaishi

The music of Joe Hisaishi, known for Studio Ghibli and “Beat” Takeshi film scores, is featured at two upcoming Candlelight Concerts in NYC

Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi

Thursday, February 13 at 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 19 at 8:30 p.m.

St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church – 157 Montague Street, Brooklyn

Admission: $46.50 - $78.50 on February 13 | $35 - $65 on March 19

The music of Joe Hisaishi is the focus of two upcoming Candlelight Concerts. Tickets are available and can be purchased at the event site Fever. The Highline String Quartet will perform Hisaishi’s music at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church under the gentle glow of candlelight (or electric tealights). Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations in New York.

About Joe Hisaishi

Born Mamoru Fujisawa in Nagano, Joe Hisaishi is the beloved, award-winning composer renowned for collaborating with Hayao Miyazaki, writing the scores for all but one of the animator’s Studio Ghibli films. He has also composed the music for several films by “Beat” Takeshi Kitano, including Hanabi and Kikujiro. The recipient of seven Japanese Academy Awards, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Score for The Boy and the Heron. In 2023, Hisaishi was bestowed the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Japanese government.

Tentative Program

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind – “Kaze no Tani” (Opening Theme)
Laputa: Castle in the Sky – “Kimi wo Nosete” (Carrying You”)
My Neighbour Totoro – “Kaze no Toori Michi” (“Path of the Wind”)
My Neighbour Totoro – “Tonari no Totoro” (Main Theme)
Kiki's Delivery Service – “Umi no Mieru Machi” (“A Town with an Ocean View”)
Kiki's Delivery Service – “Tabidachi” (“Journey”)
Princess Mononoke – “Main Theme”
Spirited Away – “Inochi no Namae” (“Name of Life”)
Spirited Away – “Chihiro's Waltz”
Ponyo – “Gake no Ue no Ponyo” (“Ponyo on the Cliff”)
The Wind Rises – “A Journey (A Dream of Flight)”
Kikujiro – “Summer”
The Tale of Princess Kaguya – “When I Remember This Life”
Howl's Moving Castle – “Merry Go Round of Life”

Concert approved by Wonder City, representing Joe Hisaishi. Guests must be eight years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Susan McCormac 1/6/25 Susan McCormac 1/6/25

Japanese Jazz Pianist to Perform in NYC

Japanese jazz pianist Miho Nobuzane performs at Klavierhaus in New York City as part of the series From Tokyo to Times Square by Decibel

From Tokyo to Times Square: Miho Nobuzane

Tuesday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m.*

Klavierhaus – 790 11th Avenue (between 54th and 55th Streets)

Admission: $30 in advance | $35 at the door | $15 Students

Don’t miss an unforgettable evening with pianist Miho Nobuzane, a versatile musician whose captivating performances blend jazz, Brazilian rhythms, and dynamic improvisations. This concert is part of the Japanese jazz piano series From Tokyo to Times Square by Decibel, a nonprofit dedicated to live music, and celebrates the rich musical and cultural connections between Japan and New York.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Decibel’s website at decibelpresents.com.

About Miho Nobuzane

Born in Osaka, Japan, Miho Nobuzane began her piano journey at the age of four. After studying classical piano, she discovered her passion for jazz and Brazilian music, which led her to New York City, where she quickly became a distinguished figure in the Brazilian jazz scene.

Nobuzane has collaborated with legendary musicians including Bernard Purdie, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Bakithi Kumalo, Filo Machado, Paula Lima, Nanny Assis, Lincoln Goines, and many more. She has performed at iconic venues like Blue Note NY, Iridium NY, Long Beach Jazz Festival, as well as in Brazil, Hawaii, and Japan.

Miho’s three albums — Make You Happy, Simple Words ~Jazz loves Brazil, and Anata Ni Deaeta — showcase her incredible talent as both a composer and performer.

About From Tokyo to Times Square

From Tokyo to Times Square is a unique concert series featuring top Japanese jazz pianists performing live in New York City. The series, which began in November 2024, spans seven months, with one pianist performing each month, showcasing the talent and creativity of Japan's jazz scene. Kyoko Oyobe and Yayoi Ikawa performed in November and December, respectively, and the series continues until May.

Upcoming Performances

All set times are at 7:00 p.m.*

Miki Hayama – February 4
Eri Yamamoto – March 4
Martha Kato – April 1
Rina Yamazaki – May 27

*The original post of this event stated that there is also a set at 8:30 p.m., but there is not. The only performances will be at 7:00 p.m. JapanCulture•NYC regrets the error.

NYC-Based J-pop Cover Band to Perform

Akari Village | Amber Balleras | Owen Chen Trio