SPOKANE, Wash. — On Sunday, July 20, the Spokane Buddhist Temple invites the entire community to gather for “A Dance for Joy,” a vibrant summer celebration of culture, memory, and togetherness. Set to take place from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the temple grounds and nearby Grant Park, the festival promises an afternoon of music, food, tradition, and shared joy.
“A Dance for Joy” is part of the annual Obon observance and a cherished Buddhist tradition that honors ancestors through reflection, gratitude, and celebration. At the heart of the day’s festivities is the Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese folk dance that welcomes all participants, regardless of experience. As one longtime dancer fondly puts it, “It doesn’t make any difference if you can tell your left foot from your right… just dance.”
The festival begins at 1:00 p.m. with an array of arts, crafts, and live music. At 4:00 p.m., a Shin Buddhist service will offer a moment of quiet reflection and reverence. The tempo picks up again at 4:30 p.m. with a high-energy karate demonstration, followed at 5:00 p.m. by Spokane Taiko, whose thunderous Japanese drumming performance never fails to captivate. The evening culminates at 5:30 p.m. with the Bon Odori, an open invitation dance that draws participants into a circle of movement, memory, and connection…