Okinawa Association Presents “Celebrate World Uchinaanchu Day with BEGIN” concert at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center Saturday, October 31 at 2PM | Public Early-Bird Sale from July 18-31
Posted on July 18, 2026, Updated on September 30, 2026 by Cultural News
Celebrate World Uchinanchu Day with BEGIN
The band’s first time performing in the continental U.S.!
OCTOBER 31, 2026 (SATURDAY)
Concert @ 2 p.m.
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach 90278 (Free Parking!)
The Okinawa Association of America, Inc. (OAA) is proud to announce “The Road to Taikai,” a year-long campaign uniting its community and supporters in anticipation of the 8th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival in Okinawa from October 27 to 31, 2027.
“The Road to Taikai” campaign kicks-off with a weekend of festivities on October 30 to 31, 2026. The headlining event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m., when Okinawa-based BEGIN will take the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center stage for its first-ever Los Angeles concert.
For over 30 years, BEGIN has embodied the spirit of Okinawa, blending traditional island sounds with heartfelt storytelling. Their music—rooted in themes of home, resilience, and community—has resonated across generations and throughout the global Okinawan diaspora.
This one-night-only performance marks a historic and meaningful moment for our community and for BEGIN as they make their long-awaited Los Angeles debut.
Formed in 1988 on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, BEGIN is one of Okinawa’s most iconic musical groups. The trio — known for blending traditional Okinawan sounds with contemporary folk and pop — has become synonymous with the musical identity of the islands.
Their signature use of the sanshin (a traditional Okinawan three-string instrument), combined with heartfelt lyrics and storytelling, captures the spirit of everyday life in Okinawa — from joy and celebration to nostalgia and resilience.
BEGIN’s music is more than entertainment — it is cultural preservation. Their sound reflects:
- The rhythms and melodies of the Ryukyu Islands
- The Okinawan language and storytelling tradition
- A deep connection to community, identity, and heritage
It has been a long time coming. BEGIN was first scheduled to perform in Los Angeles on Sept. 1, 2019, as part of the OAA’s 110th anniversary celebration — but visa complications forced a postponement. The rescheduled date, March 28, 2020, fell just as lockdowns began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven years later, the OAA is determined to finally make it happen.
“We have endured two major roadblocks,” said Vicky Nishiuchi, OAA President, “but in true Uchinanchu (Okinawan) spirit, we are working to make BEGIN’s first Los Angeles concert a reality for its fans here in the U.S. Okinawans have a word for persevering and never losing hope. It’s chibariyo!”
On Friday, Oct. 30, the OAA will celebrate World Uchinanchu Day (WUD) with WUD Mini Expo at Toyota Meeting Hall of Torrance Cultural Art Center. WUD is celebrated annually on Oct. 30 to unite Okinawans and honor the global diaspora. Recognition of the day was officially declared at the closing ceremony of the 6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival. BEGIN, all of whose members are based in Okinawa, is a beloved fixture of the festival year after year.
Buy tickets https://www.oaamensore.org/begin.html