“In collaboration with the American Literary Translators Association and as part of the ALTA46 conference, we are proud to present Sawako Nakayasu.
Born in Japan and raised in the US,Sawako Nakayasu is an artist working with language, performance, and translation. Her newest books of poetry include Pink Waves (Omnidawn, 2023), a finalist for the PEN/Voelcker award, and Some Girls Walk Into The Country They Are From (Wave Books, 2020), both of which engage the intersection between writing and translation. Mouth: Eats Color – Sagawa Chika Translations, Antitranslations, & Originals is a multilingual work that combines both original and translated poetry. Settle Her, which was written on the #1 bus line in Providence on Thanksgiving Day of 2017, on the occasion of her cutting ties with normative Thanksgiving celebrations, is forthcoming from Solid Objects.
Additional support for the 2023-2024 Reading & Lecture Series was provided by Innovations in Healthy Aging – a strategic collaboration led by the University of Arizona Health Sciences, rethinking what it means to thrive while aging.”
Reframing American History through the Japanese Experience: A Conversation about Community Storytelling Nov. 9th @ 6:00 pm Livestream
“As Americans grapple with increasing tension and division, what can we learn from the past to connect with each other? Arizona has a rich history with Japanese Americans since the 19th century. Hundreds of acres of the land were once owned by Japanese-American farmers who created thriving agriculture communities, producing and delivering products across and beyond the state. During WWII, Arizona had two concentration camp sites where Japanese Americans were incarcerated. Traces of those histories are disappearing from public view. Filmmaker and educator Reina Higashitani works with student junior producers Catherine Baxter and Tinnley Subsin to document those stories. Their podcast series, Chasing Cherry Blossoms, and its interactive website connect firsthand accounts of history with contemporary experiences and prompt discussions such as model minority myth, perpetual foreignness, and legacies of resistance. Join them in a discussion of the power of community storytelling and explore what it means to be an American today. .Listen to Podcast>.Virtual Flyer>.Flyer with QR Code>.
“Kaoru Kakizakai, a shakuhachi master from Japan, will be in Tucson next Wednesday November 8. He’ll be performing an informal concert at Bar Crisol at 7:30 PM. While there is no admission fee, they expect people who come to buy a drink and/or some food (it’s not a community center). Bar Crisol is located at 196 W. Simpson St. in downtown Tucson, south of Cushing St.
Kaoru Kakizakai is a world famous shakuhachi musician who studied with Katsuya Yokoyama Sensei and continues to carry on his tradition today. He performs and teaches all over the globe. Currently he is a lecturer at the Tokyo College of Music and a full time Instructor with the International Shakuhachi Kenshu-Kan (KSK). His list of accomplishments is long and includes many awards as well as performances with the NHK and Kyoto symphony orchestras. He is visiting Tucson because he loves the Arizona desert and wants to share with local shakuhachi enthusiasts. “
Busy weekend for young lovers of Japanese culture coming up on Nov.3 to 5:
Tucson Kaiju Festival returns to Bookman’s East, 6230 E. Speedway Blvd,, SW corner of Wilmot Rd.) on November 3, from 9 a.m.to 8 p.m.
” In hibernation since the first festival back in 2019 The Tucson Kaiju Festival is finally back! Join us November 3rd, 2023 at Bookmans East for this kaiju sized festival filled with vendors, panels, trivia and game contests, giveaways and prizes, raffles and more all day long! And it’s FREE!!!!The Tucson Kaiju Festival is about celebrating anything and everything giant monster related: from the well known Godzilla and King Kong, to Gorgo, Reptilicus, Yongary, Gamera, Gappa and Pulgasauri, and also custom/original fan made kaiju, expanding the genre with original ideas. Above all, we want to bring all of us fans of these monsters, films, and special effects together as a joyous kaiju community. And no better day to have this wonderful festival than on November 3rd, which is Godzilla’s official birthday! So please join us November 3rd, 2023 at Bookmans East for a city stomping atomic blast of a day!”
Con Nichiwa annual 3 day convention is back at Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park on Nov.3 to 5. “Con-Nichiwa, is an American anime convention held in Tucson, Arizona and organized by Monkey Paw Entertainment. The convention has moved dates and location for 2020 and is held in June now. It is currently hosted at the Double Tree Reid Park in Tucson, Arizona. Con-Nichiwa is the largest anime convention in Tucson Arizona with attendance reaching over 2,000 yearly.”
And on November 4th at La Encantada shopping plaza (2905 E.Skyline Drive, NW corner of Campbell Ave.) the cute Hello Kitty cafe truck is returning, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
” Hello Tucson! The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is returning to La Encantada on Saturday, 11/4! Come say hello to us in Restaurant Circle between 10am-7pm and pick up some supercute treats & merch, while supplies last! See you there!”
Momoka Okada has exhibited her metal pieces and jewelry over the years at the Untitled Gallery (101 W. 6th St.) in Tucson. She is currently teaching a metals program at Pima Community College.
