MOMOTARO: The Peach Boy of Japan
Adapted by Courtney Stein Cairncross
Performances: Saturday, November 22nd at 7:00 PM & Sunday, November 23rd at 2:00 PM
Pre-Show Performances and Festival Activities Begin 1 Hour Before Curtain!
Momotaro is a beloved Japanese folktale about a boy who is miraculously born from a giant peach. An elderly, childless couple discovers the peach floating down the river, and when they try to eat it, it splits open to reveal a baby boy inside. They name him Momotaro, meaning “Peach Boy,” and raise him as their own. As he grows up, Momotaro becomes strong and brave. When he learns about a band of ogres (oni) who are terrorizing nearby villages, he sets out on a journey to defeat them. Along the way, he befriends a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant by offering them delicious millet dumplings (kibi dango), and they join him on his quest. Together, they travel to Oni Island, work as a team to outsmart and defeat the ogres, and return home victorious, bringing back treasure and peace to the land. The story is narrated in the traditional clown style by beloved Japanese figures, with iconic tricksters bringing chaos and cleverness along the way. 

 Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater at the J, Circle Theatre and JCC Omaha
333 S 132nd Street, Omaha, NE, United States, Nebraska 68154

Anime NebrasKon is proud to host Kokyo Taiko for a Japanese drum performance. The performance will be at 1 PM on Saturday October 18th in the Exhibit Hall.
Kokyo Taiko performs Wadaiko, a form of Japanese style drumming, that has been described as thunderous, dynamic, and powerful. The company is based out of Lincoln, Nebraska and are known to travel throughout Nebraska and the surrounding states. Kokyo's members are proud of this special connection that they have to their Japanese heritage.
If you want to learn more about Kokyo Taiko, please head to their website here: http://www.kokyotaiko.com/
We cannot wait to share this special experience with you!

Japanese Ambience FestivalA salute to Shizuoka, Japan, and the Japanese culture
Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5, 2025
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
For an entire weekend, the garden grounds are alive with merriment as guests celebrate the joys of autumn and experience the Japanese culture first-hand. Most activities are free with garden admission or membership. 


The Omaha Sister Cities Association helps host the Autumn and Japanese Ambience Festival, with a variety of activities to celebrate the Japanese culture. Japanese Ambience also celebrates the anniversary of the gift of the Japanese Sunpu Castle Gate at Lauritzen Gardens by Shizuoka, Japan, Omaha's first Sister City. Enjoy activities like Japanese calligraphy, koinobori, origami, chop sticks, traditional Japanese games, food tastings and more. Performances will include martial arts demonstrations, taiko drumming and traditional Japanese music and dance. Paid activities will help fund the construction of phases II and III of the future Japanese garden at Lauritzen Gardens. 

Move into autumn with something you've always wanted to try - good for mind, body, and soul.  Registration is limited - sign up now!

Beginner-Intermediate Lessons:
Sundays Oct 15-Dec 10*
OR
Saturdays Oct 21-Dec 16*
*No classes Thanksgiving weekend.
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10:00 - 10:45 AM (ages 6-12)
11:00 - 12:00 PM (ages 13 - 103)

Drumming equipment is provided, including taiko drums, bachi (drum sticks), and dai (stands). Bring your own ear plugs & water, and wear comfortable clothing and shoes.