12TH SUMMER FESTIVAL ON THE COURTYARD SET FOR AUGUST 14

Event Celebrates National Museum's 25th Anniversary with Family Activities

As part of its celebration of its 25th Anniversary since its incorporation, the Japanese American National Museum is organizing its 12th Annual Summer Festival on the Courtyard under the theme, "Happy Birthday", on Saturday, August 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on its campus in Little Tokyo.

Activities available throughout the day include arts and crafts and workshops geared for the entire family. Participants can learn to make sun prints, party hats and birthday cards. From noon to 5 p.m., there will be a peek-a-boo photo booth.

Special activities are available at scheduled times. Among them, a caricature artist will be onsite from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to draw the faces of visitors. From noon to 2 p.m., the “Big Red” Balloon Man will be giving out balloons while face painting will be happening in the same time period. From 1 to 3 p.m., airbrush tattoos will be administered. From 2 to 4 p.m., brush art instruction will be given.

From 1 to 5 p.m., Kidding Around the Kitchen will help participants make their own birthday cakes. Kidding Around the Kitchen’s goal is to bring families together by teaching them how to eat smarter, both health-wise and economically, while letting all members participate. Their approach includes a "how to" get everyone involved in the family meal. For more information on their programs, go to www.kiddingaroundthekitchen.com.

Fantastic Fig the Magician will entertain from 2 to 4 p.m. while comedy ventriloquist Joe Gandelman will display his humor and talents from 3 to 5 p.m. Also from 3 to 5 p.m., hair wraps and wax hands activities will be available for the entire family.

Two special events are also scheduled. At 2 p.m., in the Tateuchi Democracy Forum, National Museum Founding President will read from his brand new autobiography, Jive Bomber: A Sentimental Journey. Kaji’s book touches upon the formation of the National Museum as well as his growing up in Boyle Heights, his imprisonment in Manzanar and his work in preserving historic Little Tokyo. Mary Kageyama Nomura, known as the "Songbird of Manzanar", will also perform.

Also on that day, the National Museum is organizing a Jan Ken Po tournament.

August 14 is the first day of the 2010 Nisei Week Japanese Festival, with activities throughout Little Tokyo. For more information on Nisei Week, go to www.niseiweek.org.