GARDENA — The Gardena Valley JCI (Japanese Cultural Institute), which is celebrating its centennial this year, will present the 2012 JCI Carnival on Saturday, June 23, from 12 to 9 pm. and Sunday, June 24, from 12 to 7:30 p.m. The center is located at 1964 W. 162nd St. in Gardena.
Organizations and individuals who use the GVJCI facilities throughout the year run the game and food booths. The delicious dishes include udon, somen, chicken and beef teriyaki, yakisoba, Imagawayaki, chili hot dogs and rice, tamales, Spam musubi, lau lau, shaved ice, and Okinawan andagi.
In addition, supporting nurseries and produce businesses generously donate fresh vegetables, fruits, and beautiful plants for the produce market booth.
Outdoor stage entertainment showcases the many classes and programs held at the GVJCI, such as line dancing, ukulele and taiko, as well as guest performances of hula, Japanese dance, youth community bands, and more.
Game booths provide even more entertainment for all, offering basketball, pachinko and much more.
Downstairs in the JCI Hall are the martial arts demonstrations and white elephant rummage sale. The martial arts dojos that utilize the GVJCI facilities on a weekly basis will demonstrations of judo, kendo, naginata, Shorinji kempo, and Shotokan karate. The rummage sale has many treasures waiting to be found at bargain prices.
On the second floor of the JCI Hall is a themed library known as The Bridge: JCI Heritage Center, complete with a tokonoma display decorating the hallway. Used books are sold at the book sale alongside hands-on activities and arts and crafts, and the Japanese Language School display.
Bingo starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday with cash prizes and bicycles. Additionally, there are hourly prize drawings on both days with donated prizes from local businesses and individual supporters. Prizes include restaurant meals, jewelry, electronics and movie tickets. Winners need not be present to win.
King’s Hawaiiani is this year’s Gold Sposor and Union Bank is the Silver Sponsor.
The carnival program appears below. For more information, call (310) 324-6611 or visit http://jci-gardena.org.
Saturday
Outdoor Stage
12:00 to 12:20 p.m. — JCI Taiko (Judi Kaminishi)
12:25 to 12:30 p.m. — Presentation
12:30 to 12:45 p.m. — 2012 GVJCI Scholarship awardees
12:45 to 1:05 p.m. — Bando Hidesomi Nihon Buyo Class
1:10 to 1:30 p.m. — JCI Senior Ukulele Group (Chika Nagata)
1:30 to 1:50 p.m. — JCI Senior Hula Class (Harriet Nagata)
Indoor Stage, JCI Hall (basement level)
1:55 to 2:15 p.m. — Shorinji Kempo South Bay demonstration
Outdoor Stage
2:20 to 2:40 p.m. — JCI Line Dance (Terri Slemmons)
2:45 to 3:05 p.m. — JCI Break Dance Class: Wreckin’ Crew and Beat Kidz
3:10 to 3:30 p.m. — Halau Ke ‘Ala O Na Lei Milo
3:40 to 4:10 p.m. — Faith United Methodist Church Youth Bands
Indoor Stage, JCI Hall
4:15 to 4:35 p.m. — Torrance Naginata Dojo and Gardena Naginata Dojo demonstrations
4:40 to 5:00 p.m. — Gardena JCI Kendo demonstration
Outdoor Stage
5:00 to 9:00 p.m. — Bingo
Sunday
Outdoor Stage
12:00 to 12:05 p.m. — Kristofer Bergstrom’s untitled solo taiko piece (debut)
12:10 to 12:30 p.m. — JCI Senior Ukulele Group (Ken Kanomata)
12:35 to 1:05 p.m. — Kanani Kalama Hula Studio
Indoor Stage, JCI Hall (basement level)
1:10 to 1:30 p.m. — Shotokan karate demonstration
1:35 to 1:55 p.m. — Gardena Kendo Dojo demonstration
Outdoor Stage
2:00 to 2:25 p.m. — Aloha Picking Ohana (Mel Ogata)
2:35 to 2:50 p.m. — JCI Tai Chi/Qi Gong demonstration (Misako Tsuchiya)
3:00 to 3:30 p.m. — North Torrance Jazz Band (Glen Kamida)
Indoor Stage, JCI Hall
3:35 to 3:55 p.m. — Gardena Judo Club demonstration
Outdoor Stage
4:00 to 7:30 p.m. — Bingo