What is “Sugita Theater”, an artistic space filled with natural light?
Sneak into an artistic space!
YOKOHAMA ART SPOT FILE
A place where all residents love, gather, and continue to grow.
Isogo Civic Cultural Center Sugita Theater
This time, we visited the cultural facility "Isogo Civic Cultural Center Sugita Theater" located on the 4th and 5th floors of Lavista Shin-Sugita, a 3-minute walk from Shin-Sugita Station on the JR Negishi Line. Did you know that the ``Sugita Theater'' at the end of the name of this cultural center contains the ``thoughts'' of the local people? (Actually, I went to the interview and was able to find out!)
The former Sugita Theater, where Hibari Misora is said to have performed on stage for the first time at the age of 8 when she was known as Kazue Misora, is located under the elevated JR line and Route 16 heading toward Tomioka, and was opened on January 1, 1946 (Showa 21). It opened on October 3, 1950, and closed on October 3, 1950. When the "Isogo Civic Cultural Center" opened as a public facility in Yokohama City, residents were invited to come up with a nickname for it, and many community members who missed the theater came up with the name "Sugita Theater." The name was decided to be "People's Cultural Center Sugita Theater." It seems that people who knew those days have donated mementos, including a poster donated in 2004 by the nephew of the former Sugita Theater president. Masu.
On the left and right sides of this gallery are rehearsal rooms and practice rooms. As I waited in front of the rehearsal room where the dance lesson had just finished, I saw a lot of local people sweating and looking comfortable. I took a photo of the inside of the rehearsal room after the rehearsal, which was filled with excitement.
The hall is located on the second floor up the stairs. Before that, I have to introduce this staircase (the escalator is on the right) because it is so wonderful. It seems to be a popular spot among users, but this staircase is actually an atrium...
At the top of the stairs was a space that looked like modern art. I was lucky that it was a clear day on the day I went for the interview, so I suddenly asked the photographer, ``Please take a photo here!!'' It was a truly beautiful moment. You can enjoy the various patterns of light and shadow as time passes. Lucky to be able to visit on this day and at this time!!
The foyer in front of the hall spreads out beyond that. There are terrace seats outside. Natural light streams in here as well, making it a very comfortable space.
Now, finally, we headed to the multipurpose hall with 310 seats. It can be used as a venue for viewing and presenting cultural and artistic activities, regardless of genre, such as music, theater, and dance.
And the audience is being “watched” from backstage as well (lol). Using a viewing window like this, you can see if the customers are enjoying themselves and see what's going on at the seats.
The Isogo Civic Cultural Center Sugita Theater is popular for its concerts, plays, exhibitions, dance lessons, and the summer festival held throughout the building every summer.
As we aim to be a ``citizen cultural center'' that contributes to the creation of a community that people want to continue living in, there were many people who visited the exhibition, worked up a sweat in the rehearsal room, and enjoyed music in the practice room on this day. It was bustling with users. There are various events held throughout the year that you can easily participate in, so feel free to stop by and enjoy the warm sunshine. It's a place where you can feel closer to art, culture, and people.