2013 - 5th Annual Tanabata Matsuri in Los Angeles, Little Tokyo - Front of MOCA Geffin Contemporary MuseumNEW

The fifth Annual Los Angeles Tanabata Festival will be held in conjunction with the Nisei Week Annual Japanese Festival on Saturday and Sunday, August 10 and11, 2013 in Little Tokyo in front of the Geffin Contemporary Center MOCA and the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) at First Street and Central Ave. Opening Ceremony to kick off the festival is set for Friday, August 9 from 5 to 9pm and will feature the unveiling of the giant "Children's Dreams" Kazari crafted by the community.

Highlights of the two-day Festival includes the display of the 10 Award-Winning Kazari sent from Japan. Festive and lively entertainment, traditional matsuri� (Japanese food), more than twenty-five arts & crafts, and a variety of games are set for the Festival (Aug 10 & 11).

Opening Ceremonies are set for Friday (Aug 9) from 5 to 7pm with the traditional celebratory breaking of the sake barrel to include many Los Angeles officials and dignitaries. Deputy Chief Terry Hara will oversee the Opening Ceremonies featuring the famed actress of stage and screen, Tamlyn Tomita and Yuko Kifu.��

This year the festival will offer traditional Japanese games for the children and will introduce a "fun zone" with special activities for the children including a Bayblade stadium, sand art and a giant jumper on Sunday only.

Arts & crafts booths will feature handcrafted items, anime products, candy and information. A special Japanese doll making demonstration by Narumi paper from Japan will be a special treat. More than 25 arts and crafts and information booths are set for the two-day festivities.

Saturday (10) entertainment starts at 10:30 am and goes until 9pm with emcees Rodney Kageyama stage and screen icon, Aaron Aoki and saxman Michael Paulo. Entertainment will feature the ever-popular taiko groups (Japanese drumming), traditional Japanese classical and folk dance, Okinawan and Hawaiian cultural arts, karate demonstrations, anime music and a Magician will fill the stage.� Headlining the Saturday schedule will be the jazz sensation Michael Paulo and his band.

Sunday (11) Rodney Kageyama, Aaron Aoki and Shin Ito will emcee a full bill of taiko, Japanese classical music, dance, folk dance, contemporary "Geta" dance (wooden slippers), anime song and performance groups, Ajuki Girls - American J-Pop, and Local Mojo, a jazz and R & B band.

2013 Festival chairman, Brian Kito stated, "The theme this year is 'Children's Dreams.' It's all about the children and their dreams and wishes.� It's about the orphaned children in Tohoku as the result of the Tsunami and the ongoing separation of families due to the radiation and relocation. As the result, indirect pressure is placed on these children. We must not forget them. We encourage the community to take part in the celebration of this day by writing wishes on tanzaku (small, colorful pieces of paper) and hanging them on tall bamboo branches on display at the festival.

The festival provides an opportunity to bring together diverse segments of Southern California's Japanese American community in a fun and festive event with colorful kazari, Japanese ornaments up to 7 feet tall are on display in front of the Geffin at MOCA. Southern California organizations, families, and individuals are encouraged to join in the celebration by creating their own kazari decorations to display at the Tanabata Festival.

In Japan, communities celebrate the story of Tanabata by writing wishes on pieces of paper and attaching them to bamboo branches. The city of Sendai in Miyagi-ken holds the biggest celebration each year with neighborhoods and businesses creating colorful decorations made from paper flowers and washi paper streamers. In Brazil and other countries around the world, Nikkei communities also participate with festivals. Now in its fifth year the Tanabata Festival is growing in popularity.

Dseign Contest
The kazari will be judged in multiple categories. Categories include Groups and new this year is the Theme. Groups include 1) Businesses, 2) families/individuals, 3) government, 4) schools, churches, temples, non profit organizations, and 5) Kenjinkai and 6) Manga/Anime category is open to all participants.

�Tanabata Comes to LA
Last year, more than 200 colorful kazari were proudly displayed in front of MOCA's Museum of Contemporary Art's Geffen Contemporary Museum. The decorations were made by members of various organizations, including churches, Kenjinkai groups, community centers, and non-profit organizations, businesses, and youth groups. Senior residents at Keiro and Little Tokyo Towers made multiple kazari to display. Many multi-generational groups and families participated, forging stronger community and familial ties. As people worked together to fold flowers and assemble their kazari, conversations flowed. As a cultural tradition was shared, friendships were renewed and strengthened.�

Yoshihito Yonezawa, former president of the Miyagi Kenjinkai, fulfilled his dream to bring the Tanabata Festival to Los Angeles. Working together with the Nisei Week Foundation, Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai, and the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association (Koban), they made Yonezawa-san's wish a reality in 2009.

Summary
Food Booth, Arts/Craft Booths, Games, and Entertainment.� 200+ Kazari made by LA's community members will be on display.� Come and enjoy this colorful festival!

Open to public.

Date
Fri, Aug 9: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Opening Ceremony

Fri-Mon, Aug 9 to Aug 12: Tanabata Kazari will be on view.
Sat, Aug 10: 10:30 am - 8:00 pm
Sun, Aug 11: 10:30 am - 5:00 pm



Additional Information
Held in conjunction with the Nisei Week Annual Japanese Festival, the Annual Los Angeles Tanabata Festival is set for August, in Little Tokyo.� Admission is free and the festival is located in front of the MOCA Geffen Contemporary Museum(151 Central Ave) on First Street and Central Avenueand the Japanese American National Museum plaza (369 First Street) in Little Tokyo, downtown,Los Angeles.�
The festival is a fun and festive event with colorful kazari, food, arts & crafts vendors, and live entertainment. Sponsored by the Nisei Week Foundation, the Festival brings together diverse segments of the Japanese American Community to celebrate a part of Japanese culture.�Southern California organizations, families, and individuals are encouraged to join in by creating their own Tanabata decorations.�

A variety of kazari will be judged in six categories including the Nanka kenjin kai, government, business, non profit organizations/community, families/individuals and schools/and religious organizations.� New categories added this year include Manga/Anime. The hand-made kazari will contribute to a spectacular uplifting display of culture and pride as part of the Festival.