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Entertainment

Updated on 4/2/2008

2008 Entertainment - Celebrating the Japanese and Japanese American Culture

 

 

     

Fire Tower

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. Art Nakane

 

** 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)

11:00 AM Opening Ceremonies
Color Guard Koyasan Scout Troop 379
Performance by Daion Taiko
Sake Barrell breaking ceremony
Opening Toast by Yoshimasa Tezuka, Acting Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles
11:45 AM Halau Hula O'Nalikokauikawekiulani
"The lehua buds placed in the highest heavens" was founded by Casey Kono and is dedicated to bringing love, peace and charity to the world through the grace and beauty of hula. Through our many classes, workshops, performances and fundraisers, we embrace and honor the traditions of hula, as well as infuse them into other contemporary musical forms.
12:30 PM Teachers Making a Difference Award
EMCEE: Ted Chen, co-anchor weekend edition "Today in LA" and general assignment reporter, "Channel 4 News"
George Kiriyama Educational Excellence Award
Presented by Iku Kiriyama
1:15 PM Senator Daniel Inouye Cherry Blossom Leadership & Blossom Awards
Presented by Dr. Gordon Sasaki
1:45 PM Fujima Seiyumi Kai - Dianne Fukuwa
2:30 PM Cold Tofu Improv
3:00 PM Kimono Fashion Show - Theme: Seasons -
Produced and Directed by Ken Kaneska
4:30 PM Mele O’hana Ukulele – Randy Dacoscos
   

 

Sunday - April 6

12 noon Kathy Bee & The Red Hat Mammas
12:45 PM Kyo no Kai – Japanese Classical Dance – Ken Kaneska
1:15 PM Fujima Kansuma Japanese Dance School – Miyako Tachibana
1:30 PM Tamagusuku Ryu – Ben Higa
1:45 PM Fujima Kansei – Cherry Blossom & Lion King – Linda Harada
2:30 PM Kodama Taiko – Mochitsuki Performance
3:00 PM Runway Fashion Show – Emcee: Gordon Tokumatsu
   
   

Kathy Bee & The Red Hat Mammas

Daion Taiko

K-Fujima Kansei


 

MARTIAL ARTS

Saturday - April 5

11:00 AM
Harmony Aikido
11:30 AM
Northern Shoalim
12:00 PM
Northern Shoalim
12:30 PM
Monterey Park Wu Shu
1:00 PM
Sityodtong/Muay Thai
1:30 PM
California Sumo Association.
2:15 PM
New Breed - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
2:30 PM
Paramount Karate
3:00 PM
Krav Maga
3:30 PM
Atemi Ryu
4:00 PM
Shindo Muso Ryu
4:30 PM
Center for Practical Self Defense
5:00 PM
Capoiera Batuque

 

Sunday - April 6

11:15 AM
Kage No Michi Ninjutsu 
11:30 AM
Kage No Michi Ninjutsu 
12:00 PM
Monterey Park Karate Club
12:30 PM
Aikido Institute of America
1:00 PM
Filipino Martial Arts
1:30 PM
Westside Kendo
2:00 PM
IMB Academy
2:30 PM
Grappling/MMA - Villa Park
3:00 PM
Jinenkan
3:30 PM
Goltz Judo Club
4:00 PM
Shinkendo

 



 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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

11:00 AM O’ahu and Hoaloha
12:00 PM Halau Hula O’Naka Lokelani
1:00 PM Jim “Kimo” West – slack key guitarist
2:30 PM Halau Hula a Kawika Laua ’O Leinani
3:30 PM Halau Hula O’Leina’ala with Lucky and the Ohana
5:00 PM Da Hawaiian Delights

Sunday – April 6

11:00 AM Hawaiian Splendor with Halau Hula Kahale O’Iolana
12:00 PM Lokahi with Na Wahine ’O Lei Ali’i
1:00 PM The Ohana Polynesian Dancers
2:30 PM Pumana
3:30 PM halau na pua lehua i ka ua noe

 

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

 

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
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