Guzen Gekijo
偶然劇場
2-14-9, Azabu Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo (On the corner of Amishiro Park)
〒106-0045東京都港区麻布十番2-14-9 (網代公園前)
http://fia2400.com/homepage/guzengekijo/
Guzen Gekijo is a new concept that is very old—bring in everyone, make them feel comfortable and give them a wonderful experience. A highly unique space, Guzen Gekijo is a community resource, an experimental music venue, and a living room all rolled into one. All of that is even more unique because all music is presented at no charge. Yes, just read that sentence over again. NO charge is what community really means.
Location might not be everything, but settled onto a street corner in Azabu-Juban across from a small park is almost everything. Guzen Gekijo is a space to just stop by. Music shows start at all different times, often from four in the afternoon, so mothers and children can catch a show on the way home from school. Being child-ready (and mother-easy) is part of the vibe. There’s great music—free—from 11 am some days, from 4 pm to 7 on others, and in the evenings as well.
There is a grand piano front and center, as many performances are piano solos, but the rest of the space is open, so chairs can be moved aside and mats put down on the (heated) floor any old way, like a giant musical playroom. You’ve left your shoes at the door, so it feels even more like padding around at home. There’s even a crawlspace up a ladder where children can clamber up to look down on everyone below. You’ll feel like climbing up yourself! Unlike most music venues, where you’re nearly strapped into one seat, you and your inner, jumpy child can move around in this space freely.
The quality of the sound is an integral part of the interior design, along with an excellent video system that allows everyone to look down onto the keyboard and into the faces of the performers, as well as to see images connected to the music. To be so close to music in such an intimate space is a rare treat. No need for microphones, you hear the music directly, closely, warmly, bodily, honestly.
And if you are not a jazz-head, there is classical music, too. Genres just don’t apply inside, so check the calendar, or even better, don’t check it and just go listen. You’ll be assured of some superb music from abroad and from Japan.
Guzen Gekijo fills in a blank in the city’s musical scene. It’s a space to feel comfortable, without smoking or drinking, and to really hear the music. It’s a place to BE with the music. The owner, Shoichi Kaneko, wrote the well-known 1960s hit,今日の日はさよなら. But with his Guzen Gekijo, he’s managed to create another magnificent, appealing hit. Check the homepage for when the free music is on, which is almost every day, and drop in and listen and be charmed.
(All photos courtesy of Guzen Gekijo)