Book presentation on Japanese American Experience at Yume Japanese Gardens on March 18

BOOK PRESENTATION: The Japanese American Experience – Change and Continuity, by Minoru Yanagihashi

“Immigration and racism are contentious issues in many societies. This book deals, in part, with these two controversies through the experiences of the Japanese Americans.

No other second-generation ethnic group is given the kind of recognition achieved by the Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans). But it was a perilous journey, fraught with endless discrimination, questioning of loyalty, and even confinement in concentration camps. Yet, they were able to achieve remarkable success in politics and made significant advances in American society. Although thoroughly assimilated, they kept alive their rich cultural heritage.

America is a country with diverse cultures, and this diversity is to be celebrated and not feared, for herein lies the strength of America. The narrative begins with a historical perspective and ends with an observer-participant view of events in Tucson, Arizona. This is a story that needs to be told.

About the Author:

Dr. Min Yanagihashi

Minoru Yanagihashi was brought up in the multicultural Hawaiian environment. Early on, he developed an interest in learning about his Japanese heritage and a desire to share his knowledge with others. He holds degrees from the University of Hawaii Manoa (BA), University of Washington (MLS), University of California, Berkeley (MA), and University of Michigan (PhD). His interest includes Japanese electoral politics and foreign policy. In recent years he has focused on the role Japanese Americans. He is a charter members of the Pan-Asian Community Alliance, Japan-American Society of Tucson, and Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition.”

Date & Time:

3/18

10AM-11AM

Event is just the price of regular admission to the Gardens.

(on the ticketing page, please select date/time: March 18, 10AM – button below)

Members are FREE

(please, make reservations through the website ticketing page – button below)

Advanced ticket reservation is required. This is a limited admission event.Purchase Tickets/Make Reservations

Reception for artist Curt Brill at Yume Japanese Gardens on March 10

ARTIST RECEPTION – Curt Brill

“Curt Brill is back at Yume Japanese Gardens with his stunning ceramic and calligraphy artwork.

We will be celebrating his exhibit, “No Mud, No Lotus”, with an open reception on Friday, March 10th from 5:30pm – 7pm.

The reception will include light refreshments, a chance to discuss the exhibit with the artist and see the exhibit first hand.

Art also available for purchase.”

No admission required, this event is free for the public.

About the artist:

“Born in 1952 in the Bronx, New York, Curt began his serious pursuit of an art career while attending Cornell University. It began with exhibitions at Cornell that showcased his drawings, ceramic work and silk screening. Even though drawing has been his first and enduring love, professionally he has been most noted for his 3-dimensional work. His ceramic pieces have been widely collected across the United States since the mid 1970’s. The work has always been sensual, a direct response to the feel of the materials he has chosen to use. Being a people watcher with a keen eye by nature, and having a potent sense of humor and an easy demeanor, it is easy to see how his personal style has evolved. His work has now been met with wide appeal by individual collectors within the United States, Europe and Japan.”

“No Mud, No Lotus” will be available for your enjoyment from 3/2 – 4/30

For more information on the artist and the exhibit, clickHERE

Duo Chinoiserie concerts at Yume Japanese Gardens on March 9

CONCERT SERIES – Duo Chinoiserie

Experience a kind of sonic alchemy as East meets West in this special concert at Yume. Enjoy handpicked Japanese pieces played with instruments from both sides of the world in perfect cohesion by the award winning Duo Chinoiserie. Duo Chinoiserie has performed in Spain, China, and the United States. Their award winning performances have been described as sensational by audiences and critics alike, and their creative artistic activities have been featured by mainstream media outlets including the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Lifestyle Magazine. Come and enjoy a fresh, professional interpretation of Japanese music with us!

Date & Time:

3/9

6:00 PM – 6:45 PM

OR

7:15 PM – 8:00 PM

Tickets: General Admission: $27 – Children 3-15: $10

Advanced ticket reservation is required. This is a limited admission event.Purchase Tickets

Butoh performances on March 4 at Yume Japanese Gardens

Enigma of Shadows – A Butoh Performance by Funhouse movement theater (matinee)

“Dreaming, we straddle the possibilities between what is and what could be. Our dreams, ambiguous and enticing, draw us into liminal consciousness where everything and nothing is real. Real or imagined, dreams begin and end in wonder.

Funhouse movement theater returns to Yume Japanese Gardens to take you on an exquisite butoh journey between enigmas and shadows.

A contemporary, avant-garde performance art, butoh is a seamless blend of dance, theater, improvisation, and traditional Japanese performing arts. Butoh compels both performers and audience to investigate the primal, universal energies that connect us, and invites us to share an embodied experience of the collective unconscious.

Enigma of Shadows is directed by Lin Lucas and features Sabrina Geoffrion, Marquez Johnson, Karenne Koo, Lin Lucas, Sherry Mulholland, Keita Tsutsumi, and Cynthia Wasco with spoken word by Taylor Johnson and music by Paul Amiel and company. Visitors to this unique performance will encounter dancers dispersed throughout the refined splendor of the garden, each engaged in choreographed and improvisational communion with the sights, sounds, and sensations of the natural environment.”

The participation in this event will be scheduled in increments of 1 hour per time slot:

Saturday, March 4th, 2023: 3:00PM-4:00PM OR 4:15PM-5:15PM

This is a limited admission event. Advanced ticket reservation is required.

General Admission: $28, Members/Seniors: $25, Children 3-15: $15. Purchase Tickets

Tucson performers at 2023 AZ Matsuri in Phoenix on Feb. 25 and 26

AZ Matsuri 2023 is returning in person for first time since the covid pandemic came to Arizona in March, 2020. The festival theme is “harmony” and runs both days 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The full schedule is here:https://azmatsuri.org/schedule-of-events

Tucson performers highlighted below:

Sat. Feb. 25:

11 a.m. Odaiko Sonora on Taiko Stage

2:30 p.m. Traditional dancers Suzuyuki-Kai on Cultural Arts stage

Sunday Feb. 26

10:30 a.m. Arizona Kyudo Kai (archery) on Martial Arts stage

2:30 p.m. Suzuyuki-Kai on Cultural Arts stage

Also, Tucson’s popular Takoyaki Balls food truck will be serving their delicious food on both days.