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RYOMA Festivals

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The Trees

Entertainment

2008 Entertainment - Celebrating the Japanese and Japanese American Culture

• Ondo Dancing

• Main Stage

• Martial Arts

• Hawaiian Village

• Kids Craft

• Kids Fun Zone
  
  
  
  

PLAZA STAGE At the JAPANESE VILLAGE PLAZA,
in the heart of Little Tokyo. Make your way to the Mikawaya Bakery-Confectionary, the home of the world famous Mochi Ice Cream. In front of their store will feature the Plaza Stage. Headliner Performer throughout the day will be ART NAKANE - The One-Man-Band Back by popular demand and performing throughout the Festival is Art Nakane, the One-Man-Band. Art was featured in a Los Angeles Time Magazine article and on ABC-TV late night with Jimmy Kimmel Show. Enjoy his creative musical and singing interpretations of songs in English and Japanese.

** Check Day of Event Entertainment schedule by the Plaza Stage for additional performances.

Ondo Dancing

Saturday & Sunday - 2:00 PM - 2:30 p.m.
Ondo Dancing at the intersection of San Pedro & 2nd Street

Dancing both Saturday and Sunday are dancers from the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center, Japanese American National Museum, and Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai. They will be dancing favorite ondo dances such as Tanko Bushi, One Plus One, and Sakura Ondo. We invite attendees to jump in, join in the fun and dance along with them!

Main Stage

Saturday - April 5 (Partial entertainment listing)

Sunday - April 6

Kathy Bee & The Red Hat Mammas

Daion Taiko

K-Fujima Kansei

MARTIAL ARTS

Saturday - April 5

Sunday - April 6

Goltz Judo Club
www.goltzjudo.com

Judo is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes throwing and grappling skills. Dr. Jigoro Kano developed it in 1882 as an offshoot of jujitsu. Judo has been an official Olympic sport since 1964. Judo is actually comprised of two words, Ju, meaning gentle and Do, meaning way. This relates to the ability to yield to an attacker's energy so that his own force can be used against him. Judo techniques involve using the arms, hip, or legs to throw an opponent to the ground, where holds, strangles, and locks are applied to achieve a submission. Students must first learn how to fall properly using a variety of movements on an adequately matted area.

Northern Shaolim Kung Fu Association
The Northern Shaolim Kung Fu Association was established in Los Angeles over 30 years ago . The group specializes in teaching traditional Chinese Kung Fu and weaponry. The group performs martial arts demonstrations and Lion/Dragon dances for festivals, celebrations, and special events throughout the year. The group conducts classes in many community centers throughout the cities in the L.A. area.

ATEMI LA
Atemi Ryu JuJitsu
"All who thirst for knowledge may drink from our well"
(Click here to read more)
www.atemila.com

South Bay Self Defense
(Click here to read more)

www.southbayselfdefense.com

Harmony Aikido

Harmony Aikido was founded by Jang Eun Yu Sensei who was an uchi deshi under Gozo Shioda Sensei, founder of Yoshinkan Aikido. Yu Sensei spent 36 years teaching and training and he developed Harmony Aikido as a martial art which emphasizes effective self defense. Self defense is control of an attacker and Harmony Aikido teaches how to control one or more attackers in many situations. Harmony Aikido techniques include pins, throws, strikes and evasive movements. Students also train with weapons; wooden sword, staff and knife; to help develop strength and technique and to learn how to defend against these weapons.

California Sumo Association

For 10 years, California Sumo Association (CSA) has held sumo practices,
produced sumo tournaments, and performed sumo demonstrations all over
California, and in other states. CSA athletes include Byambajav
Ulambayar, the current World Sumo Champion, and Dan Kalbfleisch, current
US Sumo Champion. For more information, visit www.usasumo.com.

HAWAIIAN VILLAGE

Made possible by: (SPONSOR)

Photos by Madeline Flanagan www.maddysphoto.com

Saturday – April 5

Sunday – April 6

Ohana Polynesian Dancers
Under the direction of Thela Leimamo and daughter, Christa Kamealama Nink, the Ohana Polynesian Dancers are from Diamond Bar California. We are a group of family members that work together sharing the Polynesian culture through music, dance, and entertainment.

Jim "Kimo" West
Hawaiian “Slack Key” guitarist James “Kimo” West is well-known as one of the world’s few true masters of the old Hawaiian acoustic guitar style known as “Ki ho’alu”. His “nahenahe” or “sweet” style of slack key playing is truly a sonic tonic for the soul!

alau hula o na ka lokelani

O’AHU
The band consists of Roddy Ali’i Kaulana Gregory, lead singer and accomplished musician performing since 1963, Robert Ihilani Agno, wrote #1 hit “Maui”, Kimo West, versatile musician and grammy winner, Kawika Dacoscos, internationally touring and accomplished musician, and Dan Hofstedt, slack key player and understudy of Keola Beamer and John Keawe. Together they have combined experience of over 180 years, and form the band O’ahu performing a diverse number of original, traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music. All vocalists, their music highlights beautiful and unique styles of harmonies accompanied by playing numerous instruments such as, the Hawaiian steel guitar, ukulele, slack key guitar, 12-string guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar, and steel and nylon electric bass guitars.

da hawaiian delights
The group is made up of a blend of Hawaiian and Californian musicians. They enjoy sharing traditional and hapa-haole melodies. Their sounds have been heard and performed at various southern Californian restaurants, venues, and private parties.

Kamaka Brown
Hawaiian Island native Kamaka Brown has been making people laugh on both sides of the Pacific for several years now. He’s a multi-talented writer, motivational speaker, comic and entertainer. He’s produced a series of successful comedy shows called the “Comedy Luau” in Southern CA. He has a comedy CD and “Aloha Happens” products available on his website:

www.kamakabrown.com

Lokahi
Lokahi is Charlie Aleka (ukulele/vocals), Troy Keoho (guitarist/vocalist) and Kiki Inomata (multi-instrumentalist/vocalist). Lokahi has a combined experience of over 100 years performing Hawaiian music for various venues from Hawaii to the mainland. The group specializes in traditional Hawaiian music with an emphasis on classic falsetto harmony. Lokahi will be accompanied by Hula dancers from Na Wahine’O Lei Ali’i under Kumu Hula Nanilei Lee from Honolulu who has been performing on the mainland for decades.

Pumana
Pumana is a new band made up of four musicians who have come together to perform traditional Hawaiian music. They are former members of the Hawaiian bands Callabash and Pohaku. Pumana is currently in the studio recording new songs and is preparing for their upcoming visit to Hawaii. For more information on Pumana, please visit www.pumana.com.

Kids Craft

Kids Craft area includes free crafts making.

Kids Fun Zone

Inflatables