Saturday Morning Education Program
7artscafe is excited to announce the launch of its Saturday Morning Education Program in 2025, a unique initiative that blends the power of education with the joy of healthy, delicious food. Designed to inspire creativity and cultural awareness, this program offers a series of four immersive classes that cater to learners of all ages. Held every Saturday, classes run from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a nourishing brunch from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM. This program emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, community connection, and the role of healthy food in supporting our overall well-being. It’s a perfect opportunity to enrich your mind, body, and spirit, all in a welcoming and inspiring environment. Class sizes are small and limited to 2 – 5 students.
Yokohama International Choir
Join the Yokohama International Choir, led by professional jazz singer Sheryl Bridgewater. Explore diverse musical genres, harmonize with fellow singers, and perform songs from around the world. Held on every first Saturday. This class is held in English.
2024 Dates: Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 5, May 3, Jun 7, Jul 5, Aug 2, Sep 6, Oct 4, Nov 1, Dec 6
Cost: 3,500 yen per class
To register, please see here.
Sheryl Bridgewater is a versatile vocalist known for her captivating performances in jazz, blues, R&B, and gospel. With a radiant mezzo-soprano voice and a flair for improvisation, she brings passion and creativity to every show. Sheryl has performed internationally, including in the Caribbean, New York, and cities across Japan. Her career began in the late 1970s as a keyboardist for groups like The Stylistics and The Cleftones. A graduate of Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music, she has studied with renowned musicians like Mary Lou Williams and Maxayn Lewis. Sheryl also has acting credits and has toured extensively in Japan.
Japanese Calligraphy
Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo) – Experience the beauty of Japanese calligraphy with master artist Kumiko Hamilton. Learn brush techniques and kanji principles in a hands-on setting, creating elegant characters as you appreciate this timeless art form. Held on every second Saturday.This class is held in English and Japanese.
Dates: Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 12, May 10, Jun 14, Jul 12, Aug 9, Sep 13, Oct 11, Nov 8, Dec 13
Cost: 3,500 yen per class (Includes calligraphy supplies)
To register, please see here.
Kumiko Hamilton spent many years in the world of advertising as a designer and art director, and during that time she encountered modern Japanese calligraphy, an “art of the moment”. Kumiko was attracted to the sheer depth of its impermanent, monotone world, and began to study the art in earnest. She is continuously searching for her own unique means of expression, her creative voice. She is also attempting to merge the modern, dream-like sound of the thirteen-stringed koto and seventeen-stringed koto, which she’s been playing since she was four, with calligraphy works that convey a contemporary feeling. Instructor, Sogen Calligraphy Association
Japanese Language
Japanese Language – Led by professional teachers from Chabashila Japanese Language School, this class covers essential vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills. It’s ideal for beginners and those looking to improve their Japanese proficiency. Held on every third Saturday.
Dates: Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 15, Apr 19, May 17, Jun 21, Jul 19, Aug 16, Sep 20, Oct 18, Nov 15, Dec 20
Cost: 3,500 yen per class
To register, please see here.
Japanese language school CHABASHILA was established in 2018 by Amy-sensei, who has lived in Yokohama for more than 10 years. The school provides in-person lessons in Yokohama and Tokyo, or online classes from anywhere around the globe. Our lessons are all tailored just for you. Whether you are starting as a total beginner or aiming for ninja-level proficiency, we offer classes that cater to daily conversations, essential life skills in Japanese, JLPT prep, and more. Our native Japanese instructors are not only language experts but also bring valuable real-world experience into the mix. They provide practical insights, ensuring a dynamic and engaging approach to learning.
Yokohama History
Yokohama History – Discover the rich history of Yokohama with historian Glenn Scoggins. From its days as a bustling port city to its current status as a modern metropolis, this class offers an in-depth look at Yokohama’s cultural evolution. Held on every fourth Saturday.
Dates: Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 22, Apr 26, May 24, Jun 28, Jul 26, Aug 23, Sep 27, Oct 25, Nov 22, Dec 27
Cost: 3,500 yen per class
To register, please see here.
Glenn Scoggins is an American historian who has called Yokohama home since 1977. Deeply fascinated by the city’s rich history, he first studied it at university and has continued researching it extensively over the years. Specializing in Japanese history, particularly the 19th and 20th centuries, Glenn has taught and written about Yokohama's historical development, sharing his expertise with both students and adult learners. His passion for the city’s past culminated in the publication of a non-fiction book that explores various facets of Yokohama’s history, providing readers with a detailed and engaging look into the city's cultural evolution.