Liz here answering queries about local events : here is one happening tonight and tomorrow night in Shirakawa Park downtown. It is a traveling “gekidan” performance. I attended last year and it was great. When you enter the tent you are handed some origami paper which you use to wrap your change and/or bills in. This is their version of passing the hat for donations (no fixed entrance fee)and everyone tosses their donations on to the stage whenever you are moved to do so. It is entirely in Japanese, but don’t let that stop you from going, it is visually satisfying even if you don’t really get what they are saying/singing. They travel all over Japan , setting up in parks and performing no matter what the weather (last year I watched them performing on their homemade stage in the pouring rain) Show up around 6:30, grab a seat and enjoy. Starts at 7:00. Wear a sweater!