Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival>>
AprilĀ 17, 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM>>
April 18, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM>>
Barnes Park, located directly behind Monterey Park Civic Center>>
Entry to the Festival is FREE.
The 2010 Cherry Blossom Festival Committee and the City of Monterey Park present the 13th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival on AprilĀ 17 & 18 at Barnes Park, located at 350 South McPherrin Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754.
Planned and coordinated by community volunteers, the Cherry Blossom Festival strives to provide a cultural arts event that offers a forum for learning, entertainment, fun, and support of community.
So take the time to see, hear, and taste a bit of the Japanese and Japanese American culture through a first-hand experience of watching traditional Japanese dancing, hearing the resounding beats of the taiko drums, observing the mastery and various skills of martial arts, participating in the ancient art of the tea ceremony, or buying hand-made crafts or food with an Asian flair.
Other highlights of the Festival include games & crafts for children, andĀ numerous cultural displays.
Special Guests andĀ Emcees:
Kyo No Kai –Ā Kabuki performance group, founded and headed by Kabuki actor Nakamura Gankyo (aka Bando Hiroshichiro); the mission of Kyo no Kai is to teach and promote various aspects of traditional Japanese culture with the emphasis on the performance art of Kabuki.
As a professional Kabuki actor, Gankyo has performed in all of the major Kabuki theaters throughout Japan.
TAIKOĀ PROJECT – This ensemble of premiere taiko drummers is dedicated to promoting and advancing the American art of taiko.
Through public performances, education, and outreach activities, TAIKOPROJECT is committed to preserving taiko as a dynamic element of Japanese American culture and heritage.
In addition to maintaining taiko as a community-based tradition, TAIKOPROJECT also incorporates unconventional and innovative concepts to expand artistic boundaries.
The group recently performed at the 2009 Academy Awards performing “O-Saya” and “Jai Ho” from the movie Slumdog Millionaire.
Rodney Kageyama –Ā An accomplished actor, Kageyama has appeared in films such as “The Next Karate Kid”, “Pretty Woman” and on television shows such as “Home Improvement”, “Quantum Leap”, “Married with Children”, and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”. Kageyama will serve as festivalās emcee.
Groups scheduled to perform
(subject to change without notice)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
South Stage:
12:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā MKHSĀ Xenogeneic Dance Team
12:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Chris Ho
1:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Phyllis Chang
2:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā JayVee Dance
3:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā US-Chinese Martial Arts Wu Shu Team
3:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Industry Sheriffs Judo
4:15pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Live 4 Today
5:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Cherry
Saturday, April 17, 2010
North Stage:
11:30amĀ Ā Ā Ā Kishin Daiko
12:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Opening Ceremony – Essays/Introductions
1:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko
1:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Fujima Kansei Odori Kai
2:15pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā David Torres Kenpo Karate
3:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Masumi
3:45pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Halau Hula Moani ‘a’ ala Anuhea
4:15pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Bombu/Kitsune Taiko
5:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Industry Sherriff Kendo Dojo
Sunday, April 18, 2010
South Stage:
11:30amĀ Ā Ā Ā MKHS Aztec PepĀ Band
12:15pmĀ Ā Ā Ā MKHS Aztec Singers
1:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā California Sumo Association
1:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Chikara Daiko
2:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā California Sumo Association
2:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Local Mojo
3:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā O’ahu
Sunday, April 18, 2010
North Stage:
11:30amĀ Ā Ā Ā Kodama Taiko
12:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Nippon Minyo Kenkyukai Hoshun Kai
12:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Koshin Taiko
1:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Grateful Crane
1:45pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Shinbuyo Kodama Kai
2:15pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā June Kuramoto
3:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Hanayagi Rokufukumi
3:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ohana Polynesian Dancers
4:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Kuntau Martial Arts
5:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Taiko Center of Los Angeles
Exhibit Hall
The exhibit hall is located in the Barnes Park Gymnasium, and will include a number of artistic Japanese displays: origami, kimekomi dolls, ikebana (flower arranging),Ā historical items, and more.
In addition to the displays, there is also a stage that will feature demonstrations and entertainment.
The 2010 schedule is TBA – Please take a look and 2009 schedule as many of the crowd favorites may be returning to this year’s festival.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
12:00pm Nippon Kenpo
12:45pm Origami Demonstration by Michael Sanders, Yami and Lee
1:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Music and Songs by Saria Idana
2:15pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Manju Demonstration by Brian Kito
3:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Sushi Demonstration by Andy Matsuda of the Sushi Chef Institute
4:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Illusions by Allen Oshiro
5:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Music and Songs by Mali
* “Mini” class for flower arranging by the Sogetsu Ikebana Organization, 2:00pm-5:00pm, only $5.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
11:30amĀ Ā Ā Ā Kayama Puppet Troupe – Mrs. Kayama
12:30pmĀ Ā Toyoshima Family Sushi
1:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Kyo No Kai Kabuki
2:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Urasenke Tea Ceremony Mrs. Osumi
2:30pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Nagauta-Traditional Japanese Music/Kabuki Dance
3:15pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Sushi Demonstration by Andy Matsuda of the Sushi Chef Institute
4:15pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Magic Wayne
5:00pmĀ Ā Ā Ā Mele O’hana Ukulele
* “Mini” class for flower arranging by the Sogetsu Ikebana Organization, 2:00pm-5:00pm, only $5.
For updated information, call (626) 307-1390 or email mpk_cherryblossom@yahoo.com.
Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival