Schedule of Events for Tucson Japanese Festival on January 14, 2017

Posted on January 8, 2017 by Carolyn Classen

See www.facebook.com/tucsonmochi/ for updates — door prizes and schedule of performances. Many thanks to our donors for gift certificates received from Ginza Sushi, Yoshimatsu, Sushi on Oracle, Sushi Cho, Sushi Zona, & Samurai Japanese restaurants and Bing’s Boba Tea– to be given away as door prizes. Another donor for this festival is H.I.S. International Tours Inc. which offers many tours to Japan.

UPDATE: Akiwa Abe Brown will be performing koto along with Paul Amiel on shakuhachi flute in a duet, plus her own solo “Rokudan”. This performance time is about 1:50 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Stage B, but may be moved to CC251 in the event of rain.

Akiwa Abe Brown performing on her koto

Paul Amiel performing on his shakuhachi flute at 2015 New Year’s Mochitsuki

Celebrate Japanese New Year at Tucson Japanese Festival on Jan. 14, 2017

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

Coming up on January, 14 2017: Tucson Japanese Festival (featuring New Year’s mochi pounding) 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pima Community College Downtown campus, 1255 N. Stone Ave (NW corner of E. Speedway Blvd.) in Tucson. Sponsored by SAJCC (Southern AZ Japanese Cultural Coalition), Odaiko Sonora taiko drummers, Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson.

Celebrate the New Year of the Rooster with Mochi (rice) pounding, Japanese cultural activities, games, calligraphy & crafts, taiko drumming, martial arts performances, ikebana displays, food (plus takoyaki booth). $5 admission fee, children under 5 years are free. If willing to help, please email communications@southernazjapan.org.

“Allegiance” film to show on December 13, 2016

Posted on December 4, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

George Takei’s musical film “Allegiance” to show in Tucson (and elsewhere nationwide) on December 13.

INSPIRED BY THE TRUE LIFE EXPERIENCE OF ITS STAR GEORGE TAKEI (STAR TREK, HEROES), ALLEGIANCE FOLLOWS ONE FAMILY’S EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY IN THIS UNTOLD AMERICAN STORY.

“Their loyalty was questioned, their freedom taken away, but their spirit could never be broken. Rejoice in one family’s triumphant story of hope, love, and forgiveness in the new Broadway musical: Allegiance.

Inspired by true events, Allegiance is the story of the Kimura family, whose lives are upended when they and 120,000 other Japanese-Americans are forced to leave their homes following the events of Pearl Harbor. Sam Kimura seeks to prove his patriotism by fighting for his country in the war, but his sister, Kei, fiercely protests the government’s treatment of her people. An uplifting testament to the power of the human spirit, Allegiance follows the Kimuras as they fight between duty and defiance, custom and change, family bonds and forbidden loves. Legendary performer George Takei — (Star Trek, “Heroes”), who was himself an internee as a child, stars alongside Tony® winner Lea Salonga – (Miss Saigon, Mulan) in this enthralling and epic new musical.
But as long-lost memories are unlocked, Sam finds that it is never too late to forgive and to recognize the redemptive power of love.”

Playing in Tucson at Oro Valley Marketplace, Foothills 15, El Con 20, Century Park Place 20. See movie theaters for details on December 13.

Theater locations:

http://allegiancemusical.com/article/film-theater-locations/?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=FB-Retargeting-10-26-16&utm_medium=newsfeed#CUdOA1Sl7E2QkJJ4.97

Wrap your holiday gifts Japanese style

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

Yume Japanese Gardens is at 2130 N. Alvernon Way, in Tucson. Info at www.yumegardens.org. Learn how to wrap your gifts Japanese style. Flyer should read “learn” not lean.

Fourth Annual Autumn Ikebana Exhibition at Yume Japanese Gardens

Posted on November 12, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

Fourth Annual Autumn Ikebana Exhibition – Nov. 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 2016

Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, open daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“Dozens of traditional Japanese flower arrangements (Ikebana) will be on display throughout the Gardens to delight you in our Fourth Annual Autumn Ikebana Exhibiiton. This year’s exhibition is special, because we are extending it from three days to an an entire week, November 20-27 (with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, November 24, when the Gardens will be closed.)

The exhibition is dedicated to our late Board Member and friend Drinda Green, who was Ikebana enthusiast herself. Flower arrangements will be made by the Tucson-area members of five different schools of classical and contemporary Ikebana, all using distinctive and beautiful vases acquired by Drinda over years of collecting.

Regular Gardens admission rates apply.”