Natsumatsuri Family Festival 2015

Special Events

Youth & Families

Members

2015 Natsumatsuri Family Festival

Natsumatsuri Family Festival 2015

Special Events

Youth & Families

Members

2015 Natsumatsuri Family Festival

About the Event

FREE ALL DAY

Our popular annual summer celebration features Japanese and Japanese American performances, crafts, and activities for the whole family.

• Enjoy stimulating performances by Minyo Station, Random Ninjas, and TAIKOPROJECT with Quetzal

• Impress the crowd at our Karaoke Open Mic

• Take a basic taiko drumming lesson with docent Hal Keimi

• Join our community bon odori dance

• Participate in a variety of family arts and crafts projects

• Get a custom screen-printed Natsumatsuri t-shirt for your child, while supplies last

…and more!

Natsumatsuri is held in conjunction with Nisei Week Festival (August 15–23), Little Tokyo’s biggest annual event. Make your plans early!

 

See the complete schedule below, or download the flyer!

Special perks available for JANM members! Be sure to check in at the front desk to get a member sticker so you can take advantage of the perks highlighted below.

Saturday, Aug 15, 2015

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM PDT

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About the Event

FREE ALL DAY

Our popular annual summer celebration features Japanese and Japanese American performances, crafts, and activities for the whole family.

• Enjoy stimulating performances by Minyo Station, Random Ninjas, and TAIKOPROJECT with Quetzal

• Impress the crowd at our Karaoke Open Mic

• Take a basic taiko drumming lesson with docent Hal Keimi

• Join our community bon odori dance

• Participate in a variety of family arts and crafts projects

• Get a custom screen-printed Natsumatsuri t-shirt for your child, while supplies last

…and more!

Natsumatsuri is held in conjunction with Nisei Week Festival (August 15–23), Little Tokyo’s biggest annual event. Make your plans early!

 

See the complete schedule below, or download the flyer!

Special perks available for JANM members! Be sure to check in at the front desk to get a member sticker so you can take advantage of the perks highlighted below.

Sponsors: Los Angeles Arts Commission 

Media Sponsor: Rafu Shimpo 

Activities

Face Painting

Put on your best summer festival face with Party Face Magic.

A Members’ Express Line will be available for JANM members. (For children only. Line ends at 4:30 p.m.)

Family Art Project

In a special activity inspired by our two current exhibitions, create an artwork about your family using light-sensitive paper.

Greetings from JANM’s Natsumatsuri

Make a fun postcard greeting to send to a friend.

Natsumatsuri Hats

It wouldn’t be Natsumatsuri without JANM’s signature paper hats! Make your own unique set to show off your family’s style.

Ruthie’s Origami Corner

Create an origami version of the traditional kimonos worn during Obon, Japan’s summer festival to honor the memory of ancestors.

Scavenger Hunt

Use your phone or camera to take pictures of your finds from our list. Then bring your images to the Information Booth to claim a prize. Don’t forget to share your adventures on social media using #JANMScavengerHunt. Prizes available while supplies last.

Toddler Room

Bring your toddlers here to relax and play with other toddlers. NOTE: all children must be supervised by an accompanying adult at all times.

Wishing Tree

Wishing trees are a popular summer tradition in Japan, appearing as part of the annual Tanabata Festival. Write your wish on a tanzaku (strip of ceremonial paper) and tie it to a bamboo tree at our Tanzaku Wish station.

Schedule

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Members Only Tour of Jidai: Timeless Works of Samurai Art

A Members Only tour of the special display of historically significant samurai swords on view during the month of August. Limited to 15 guests. This tour has reached capacity.

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Karaoke Open Mic Signups

Signups begin for our karaoke open mic, which starts at 1 p.m. Limited spaces available on a first come, first serve basis. Don’t miss your chance to get a spot!

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Lilo & Stitch

Take a break and enjoy free screenings of this popular children’s film set in Hawaii.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Taiko Demonstration

Take a basic taiko drumming lesson with JANM docent Hal Keimi—a Natsumatsuri tradition.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Screen Printing Demonstration

Live screen printing demonstration with Grow Your Own Media begins. Take home a Natsumatsuri t-shirt to commemorate the day. Shirts will be children’s sizes only. Limited quantity; first come, first served, while supplies last. Child must be present to receive shirt.

A Members’s Express Line will be available for JANM members.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Bon Odori

Join our community bon odori (traditional Obon dance), with music provided by contemporary Japanese folk group Minyo Station.

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Karaoke Open Mic

Step up to the stage for our karaoke open mic! Signups begin at 11 a.m. Limited spaces available on a first come, first serve basis.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Meet Your Museum

Stop by the lobby of the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy to learn more about your member benefits, JANM’s mission, and our upcoming exhibitions. Our friendly volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions!

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Japanese Samurai Sword Lecture

Curators Darin S. Furukawa and Michael Yamasaki present an introductory lecture on Jidai: Timeless Works of Samurai Art. Learn about the unique forging process and special properties of the Japanese samurai sword and see how the distinctive armor of the warrior class functioned not only as protection, but as a reflection of the wearer’s personality.

Reserved seating will be available for JANM members. We anticipate high attendance for this program. Seating is available first come, first serve. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Random Ninjas

Enjoy an exciting performance by taiko/rock fusion band Random Ninjas. Reserved seating will be available for JANM members.

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Lilo & Stitch

Take a break and enjoy free screenings of this popular children’s film set in Hawaii.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Minyo Station

Minyo Station presents a short concert featuring their unique blend of contemporary influences and traditional Japanese folk music.

Reserved seating will be available for JANM members.

4:15 PM - 5:00 PM

TAIKOPROJECT and Quetzal

A special joint performance from the high-energy TAIKOPROJECT and the innovative Chicano fusion band Quetzal bring a fun-filled day to a rousing finish. Reserved seating will be available for JANM members.

Support the understanding and appreciation of the Japanese American experience.

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