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.
The poster on the wall has the words ``Misora Orchestra'' on it! It's a very valuable piece of Japanese music history.
As you pass through the entrance, you will find a spacious lobby. Various decorations are decorated by the local people who gather here. There are posters on the walls, handmade pamphlets and newspapers, and even seasonal items.
At the time of our interview, it was mid-April, so there were helmet decorations on display.
Beyond the lobby is a white-walled gallery where works of art stand out (a photo exhibition was being held at the time of our interview). Equipped with lighting equipment, the space is suitable for displaying a variety of art works, including photographs, paintings, calligraphy, and crafts.
There are rehearsal rooms and practice rooms on the left and right sides of this gallery. 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 board-clad rehearsal room is quite spacious and looks like it's easy to move around in! Of course, it can be used for rehearsals and practice, but with its size, it can also be used as a venue for small recitals and performances. This time, I was unable to sneak into both of the practice rooms as they were in use, but it seems that singing lessons were being held in preparation for recitals, etc.
Under the guidance of the staff, we headed to the main hall. On the way, I found a character in this KIRIN vending machine that I had never seen before...!! I heard that this girl with bear-like and rabbit-like ears was born in March 2015. “Umeny” is “Sugita’s favorite plum fairy” and is a local character named after the plum tree in Isogo Ward. Indeed, the ears are shaped like plum buds~♡
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.
On performance days, you can also order drinks here during intermission.
Soak up the afterglow of the concert while soaking up the sun on the terrace.
This is the "parent and child room" (4 seats) located in front of the hall. It's partitioned off by glass, so even if your little one gets fussy, you can watch concerts without worry.
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.
Wheelchair-specific seats (4 seats) are also available.
We also heard about the “special seats” in the hall that only the staff know about! Here they are!
The seats are higher than other seats, so there is nothing blocking the view in front of you, so you can see the stage clearly. For performances where all seats are free, wait until the doors open to secure your seat!!
Our reporting team also visited the stage. This is what the audience seats look like from the stage. It is also possible to install a flower path, which is essential for Kabuki and Japanese 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 general stage operation console is also amazing!! I'm so excited to tour the backyard since I don't usually get to go inside.
Lastly, we also had a look at the dressing room at the back of the stage. On performance days, many performers gather here, creating an atmosphere filled with tension and excitement.
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.
