The Telemann Institute Japan, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, will host 38 concerts, most of them free of charge, from Saturday through June 17 in five cities in Hyogo, Kyoto, and Osaka prefectures.

Pieces by Bach, Vivaldi, Johann Pachelbel and Georg Philipp Telemann will be played in public spaces including department stores, hotel lobbies, a shrine, office buildings and an airport lobby in Kyoto, Kobe, Nishinomiya, Osaka and Sakai.

For more information, visit www.cafe-telemann.com/schedule/daiosaka.html (in Japanese) or dial (06) 6345-1046.

Foreigners invited to Hyogo picnic, tea ceremony

A potluck picnic and a tea ceremony for non-Japanese will be held in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, on May 12.

Participation is ¥600. Those interested need to bring their own drink and a dish big enough to serve two. Reservations must be made by May 8, as only 20 people will be accepted.

Participants will meet at the ticket gate of JR Nishinomiya Station at 10:30 a.m. and move to Kitayama Botanical Gardent by a free shuttle bus. The bus will return participants to the station around 3 p.m.

More details are available at www.nishi.or.jp/homepage/nia/pdf/food_e.pdf (in English) or by calling (0798) 32-8680.

UNICEF Osaka branch hosting charity event

The Osaka Association for UNICEF will join other organizations in hosting a charity event in the city for children around the world from May 3 to 5.

During the event, to be held from noon to 5 p.m. each day, visitors can enjoy music and dance performances, try their hand at making rice cakes, ride a mini train, and attend an exhibition introducing groups that are holding activities to support children.

Admission is free. The venue is the Shin Umeda City complex, which is a 10-minute walk from JR Osaka Station.

For further information, check out www.skybldg.co.jp/event/child/2013/index.html (in Japanese) or phone (06) 6440-3901.

Nagoya festival puts 'yosakoi' dances on show

Visitors to Nagoya will be able to enjoy Kochi-style "yosakoi" street dancing at six venues between May 3 and 5.

The timing of the performances, part of the Yosakoi Yume Festival, will vary, but they will take place mostly in the afternoon.

Admission is free, except for entry to Shirotori Garden, which charges an admission fee of ¥300 for adults.

For fuller details, please visit www.yumeyosa.com (in Japanese) or call (052) 737-3330.

Aichi festival to feature samurai parade, drums

History lovers can take in a samurai parade, drum performances, matchlock musket demonstrations and other traditional events on May 5 in Shinshiro, Aichi Prefecture.

The Nagashino Kassen Nobori Festival, which commemorates the 1575 Battle of Nagashino, runs from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. The samurai parade will be held between 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

The main venue is an eight-minute walk from Nagashinojo Station on the JR Iida line.

Further information is available at www.city.shinshiro.lg.jp/index.cfm/8,3185,c,html/3185/20130329-212610.pdf (in Japanese), www.city.shinshiro.lg.jp/index.cfm/8,3185,c,html/3185/20130329-212610.pdf or by calling (0536) 32-0022.