The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute
1964 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247
Saturday, November 3, 2018, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Four Short Films by Sansei filmmakers:
“The Arts District Without Artists,” directed by Steve Nagano. Reminiscent of the past, artists are being forced to move, “relocate,” after years of living and working in one of the first designated artist-in-residence buildings in Los Angeles. The new owners, a subsidiary of an international bank, began the evictions immediately.
“Holiday Bowl,” directed by Mitchell Matsumura. The Holiday Bowl, a gathering place for a community and a generation, was where all peoples came together in urban Los Angeles. It was a refuge for the stresses of life. The community celebrated its opening in 1958 and it closed, to everyone’s disbelief, in 2000.
“Jeff Imada: Breaking Barriers by Design,” directed by Cory Shiozaki. Jeff Imada was a pre-med student at UCLA before an opportunity to work on a movie as an extra created a totally different career choice. A road not often taken by Japanese Americans, the lure of working in the entertainment industry on screen set the stage for an entirely different occupation — stuntman.
“Say Yes to Your Heart,” directed by George Takaki. A 79-year-old man wants to join a rock-climbing gym but his granddaughter tries to dissuade him. They agree to a one-month trial. Disaster strikes when Grandpa is stricken with shingles. After a six-month layoff and still feeling weak, Grandpa returns to the gym to either quit or persevere.
There will be Q&A with the filmmakers after the films.
Free admission; donations appreciated. For more information, contact Nicole Sato at (310) 324-6611 or info@jci-gardena.org.
Sunday, November 4, 2018, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Hoshigaki Workshop (hoshigaki is dried persimmons)
For the last two years, the JCI has been presenting a persimmons program where Tosh Kuratomi talked about growing persimmons and making hoshigaki (we also showed the Huell Howser “California Gold” video about Tosh and his Otow Orchards). This year, the JCI is conducting a hoshigaki workshop, where participants make hoshigaki. Tosh will lead the workshop.
Participants will need to bring:
Hachiya Persimmons. Other persimmons (like Fuyu) can also be used. Leave the stems intact when picking. There will be Hachiya persimmons available for those who don’t have persimmons, please call the office if you need persimmons.
Pruning shears
Vegetable peeler
4” bladed knife (paring or steak knife)
Bucket. GVJCI will have buckets on hand to throw peels away, but participants can bring a bucket.
Apron and/or clothes that participants don’t mind getting dirty! Peeling persimmons will expose the tannins to whatever comes in contact with it and may leave permanent stains.
Plastic bags will be provided, but participants can bring their own storage container to take their persimmon home.
The fee is $30 per participant.
Saturday, November 10, 2018, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Elemental Funk
A terrific R&B band performs mostly music from the 70's, but they'll mix in some newer stuff like Bruno Mars. Bring your dancing shoes.
$10 admission if postmarked by this Friday Nov. 2, or $15 at the door. Contact Sharon Sawai (310) 324-6611 s_sawai@jci-gardena.org
Saturday, November 17, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
The Go for Broke Spirit: Portraits of Courage book event
Panel discussion with co-authors Shane Sato and Robert M. Horsting with 442nd veteran Don Seki and others. Please RSVP (310) 324-6611, info@jci-gardena.org
Sunday, November 18, 2018, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Grateful Crane Ensemble "Back in the Day"
Want more nostalgic music? If you are a Sansei/Nikkei caregiver, many of you are caring for parents or other family members, take a break, this free concert is for you. Music from dances of the 60's and 70's. Three concerts in different places. Contact:(310) 995-5841, gratefulcrane@gmail.com
