Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival>>
April 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 April 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, and numerous cultural displays.
Special Guests and Emcees:
Kyo No Kai – 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.
TAIKO 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 – 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 festival’s emcee.
Groups scheduled to perform
(subject to change without notice)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
South Stage:
12:00pm MKHS Xenogeneic Dance Team
12:30pm Chris Ho
1:30pm Phyllis Chang
2:30pm JayVee Dance
3:00pm US-Chinese Martial Arts Wu Shu Team
3:30pm Industry Sheriffs Judo
4:15pm Live 4 Today
5:00pm Cherry
Saturday, April 17, 2010
North Stage:
11:30am Kishin Daiko
12:00pm Opening Ceremony – Essays/Introductions
1:00pm Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko
1:30pm Fujima Kansei Odori Kai
2:15pm David Torres Kenpo Karate
3:00pm Masumi
3:45pm Halau Hula Moani ‘a’ ala Anuhea
4:15pm Bombu/Kitsune Taiko
5:00pm Industry Sherriff Kendo Dojo
Sunday, April 18, 2010
South Stage:
11:30am MKHS Aztec Pep Band
12:15pm MKHS Aztec Singers
1:00pm California Sumo Association
1:30pm Chikara Daiko
2:00pm California Sumo Association
2:30pm Local Mojo
3:30pm O’ahu
Sunday, April 18, 2010
North Stage:
11:30am Kodama Taiko
12:00pm Nippon Minyo Kenkyukai Hoshun Kai
12:30pm Koshin Taiko
1:00pm Grateful Crane
1:45pm Shinbuyo Kodama Kai
2:15pm June Kuramoto
3:00pm Hanayagi Rokufukumi
3:30pm Ohana Polynesian Dancers
4:00pm Kuntau Martial Arts
5:00pm Taiko Center of Los Angeles
Pacific Media Expo and Kyodo Japanese Language School System present “Cosplay Contest” on Sunday, April 18, at 4:30 pm on the South Stage.
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), historical items, and more.
In addition to the displays, there is also a stage that will feature demonstrations and entertainment.
Ikebana display and hands-on class at the exhibition hall.
Samurai Store International exhibits samurai armor handcrafted in Japan by the artists of Marutake Sangyo, the same artists that created the armor for Akira Kurosawa's films, and for the Period Dramas on Japanese TV. Come see these stunning works of art at the Exhibition Hall.
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
1:30pm Music and Songs by Saria Idana
2:15pm Manju Demonstration by Brian Kito
3:00pm Sushi Demonstration by Andy Matsuda of the Sushi Chef Institute
4:00pm Illusions by Allen Oshiro
5:00pm 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
11:30am Kayama Puppet Troupe – Mrs. Kayama
12:30pm Toyoshima Family Sushi
1:00pm Kyo No Kai Kabuki
2:00pm Urasenke Tea Ceremony Mrs. Osumi
2:30pm Nagauta-Traditional Japanese Music/Kabuki Dance
3:15pm Sushi Demonstration by Andy Matsuda of the Sushi Chef Institute
4:15pm Magic Wayne
5:00pm 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.