It is a special gift when international performers arrive in town to share a cultural heritage in a language tailored for Western audiences.

After touring California, four Japanese Rakugo performers — Eiraku, Ichirin, Edamame and Banban — will open their Arizona concert series here in Sedona with a performance at the Sedona Posse Grounds Hub on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m.

Rakugo, a 400-year-old tradition of comic storytelling in Japan, is a minimalistic performance art, featuring a lone storyteller dressed in kimono, kneeling on a cushion, who, using only a fan and a hand towel for props, entertains the audience with a comic monologue followed by a traditional story.

The best aspect of English Rakugo is that non-Japanese speakers can also enjoy the cultural heritage. It is important to realize the fact that rakugo reflects life itself.

This Arizona premier performance by the Canary English Rakugo Company is brought here by the Japanese Culture Club of Arizona, which is based in Phoenix. Its mission is to promote good will through cultural active interchange between Japan and Arizona for mutual understanding, benefit and enjoyment.

The group organizes events and social gatherings that incorporate Japanese food and cooking, ceremonies, calligraphy, Ikebana flower arrangement, sewing, Japanese music, films and more.

This presentation is suitable for the entire family. For more information, contact Harumi Maejima, co-founder and president, at (480) 768-7570 or harumijima@mac.com or visit the Sedona Hub website.

Tickets are $10 and are on sale at showtix4u.com and at the door.

Call 282-1660 to make a reservation.

The Sedona Hub is located at 525B Posse Grounds Road in Sedona.