Northwest Butoh Festival LLC

The Northwest Butoh Festival was May 13 - 16, 2026 at New Expressive Works (810 SE Belmont St.) in Portland, Oregon. There was twelve performances over three nights, 14 -16, and four workshops on the 13 -16.Performers included Joan Laage/Kogut Butoh, Julie Becton Gillum, Minja Mertanen, Vanessa Skantze, Iván Espinosa and Co, Ash Pillar, Arlo King, Amapola, Salty Xi Jie Ng, Olga Kravtsova, Monel Chang and Didi (Freddi) Wyss.Workshop teachers were Minja Mertanen, Vanessa Skantze, Julie Becton Gillum and Joan Laage.Performance ScheduleThursday May 14th at 8:00pm
1. Minja Mertanen
2. Didi (Freddi) Wyss
3. Arlo King
4. Vanessa SkantzeFriday May 15th at 8:00pm
1. Olga Kravtsova
2. Monel Chang
3. Bowels of the Earth by Ivân Espinosa and Co
4. Joan Laage/Kogut ButohSaturday May 16th at 8:00pm
1. Amapola
2. Ash Pillar
3. Salty Xi Jie Ng
4. Julie Becton Gillum

NWBF 2026 Festival Sponsors:

Butoh Workshops With Carl Annala

“I began studying Butoh dance in the mid 90’s after having seen the inspirational dance film Butoh: The Dance of Darkness at an early screening in the late 80’s. My approach is inspired by nature, the dark terroir of the pacific northwest, the sea, the forest, its creatures and conditions. I also pull from my background as a visual artist/teacher and bandleader. My Butoh learning lineage comes from both streams, Hijikata and Ohno. My lighthouse teachers, Yumiko Yoshioka and Seisaku, however, are in the Hijikata camp.”Carl will lead 2 hour workshops on the first/second Sundays of the month beginning in January at New Expressive Works, 810 SE Belmont St., in Portland. Reserve your space at [email protected] - drop-ins also welcome, no experience necessary. Sliding. Classes on Sundays at 1:00-3:00pm are on 2/8, 3/1, 4/5, 5/3 and 6/7.

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