2014 - 6th Annual Tanabata Matsuri in Los Angeles, Little Tokyo - Front of MOCA Geffin Contemporary Museum (Friday to Monday)NEW

The 6th Annual Los Angeles Tanabata Festival will be held in conjunction with the Nisei Week Annual Japanese Festival on Saturday and Sunday 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.

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 8: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Opening Ceremony

AUGUST 8 - 11, 2014 - Schedule

Friday
Fri., August 8 � 5pm:� Opening Ceremony

Saturday
Sat., August 9 & Sun., August 10 � 10am: Entertainment
Sat. 11am to 9pm � Food, Kirin Beer Garden and Arts & Crafts Booths, Games
Sat. 12 pm to 4pm - People's Choice Voting for Kazari Contest
Sat. 3pm - Special Pacific Media Expo - Cosplay & Contest

Sunday
Sun. 11am to 5pm � Food, Kirin Beer Garden and Arts & Crafts Booths, Games

Monday
Mon., August 11 � Kazari on Display

Background
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.

Design 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.



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.