Tsuruoka Branch Dance at the Stake Party

Traditionally, when the mission president is released and leaves (every three years), the stake holds a special farewell program for them before they go.  Tsuruoka branch, though by far the smallest unit in the stake, always steals the show at this event.  And this year was no exception.  Remi and Rizumi came up with this adorable dance and the members worked hard to learn and perform it.  The actual event was June 10th, after we left, but they practiced for a couple of months, so we got in on the rehearsals.  Every week, at the end of FHE, they would practice.  And we would watch and cheer and tend Amane kun so that his parents could dance.  I took many pictures and videos of the rehearsals.  Here are a few of them, then at the bottom are pictures Remi sent of the actual performance in Sendai and the video of it.  Please watch the video- you'll love it!!!

This was my favorite part of the dance.  They all knew I liked it, so would comment as it got to this part: "This part is for Sister Hinton."

This is the name of the group that sings the song and the name of the song written in romaji.  But I cannot find it on youtube.

I took lots of pictures of my favorite part!

So cute!

Remi sent me pictures of them in their costumes and the video of the performance just minutes after it was over that day.  They all knew how much we loved this and would have loved to be with them that day!  Aren't their costumes fun?

I love this action shot!

And here it is!  The video of them performing it.  They actually did it twice.  After they performed, a member of the stake presidency took the baby- Amane- and then they performed an encore.   Please enjoy watching the Tsuruoka Branch doing their now famous dance: