Nishihongwanji Buddhist Temple (Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji), 815 E. First St. in Little Tokyo, will hold its annual Obon Carnival and Hatsubon services on the weekend of July 7-8.
The Bon Odori starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Everyone is invited to participate in the dancing.
A Hatsubon service for those who have lost loved ones since last year’s Obon will be conducted both days at 2 p.m.
Tea ceremony and judo demonstrations will be given. Entertainment will include taiko, minyo and koto player June Kuramoto from the band Hiroshima.
The carnival will feature a farmer’s market. sushi, manju, chili rice, hot dogs, somen, boba, udon, beef and chicken teriyaki plates, dango, chashu bao, Chinese chicken salad, snow cones, drinks, games, a plant sale, and much more.
For more information, call (213) 680-9130 or visit http://nishongwanji-la.org.
The schedule is as follows.
Saturday, July 7
2 p.m.: Hatsubon service
2 to 4 p.m. Tea ceremony demonstration (temple front)
3 p.m.: Bell tolling
3 to 8 p.m.: Cultural display (downstairs)
3 to 10 p.m.: Carnival
3:30 to 4 p.m.: Judo demonstration (in Kaikan)
5 to 10 p.m.: Bingo
7 to 9 p.m.: Bon Odori
Outdoor Stage Performances
3 p.m.: Welcome by emcee Rodney Kageyama
3:10 p.m.: Nishi Center
4 p.m.: L.A. Matsuri Taiko
4:45 p.m.: Grateful Crane Ensemble
5:45 p.m.: Voco Loco and the Fujazz Band
6:45 to 9 p.m.: Break for Obon dancing (north lot)
9 p.m.: Music by Sunset Silhouette
Sunday, July 8
2 p.m.: Hatsubon service
2 to 4 p.m.: Tea ceremony demonstration (temple front)
3 p.m.: Bell tolling
3 to 7 p.m.: Cultural display (downstairs)
3 to 9 p.m.: Carnival
4 to 9 p.m.: Bingo
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Bon Odori
Outdoor Stage Performances
2:30 p.m.: Welcome by emcee Derek Escano
2:40 p.m: Ha-Aloha Polynesian Dancers
3:20 p.m.: Matsutoyo Kai (minyo)
4 p.m.: June Kuramoto (koto)
4:45 p.m.: Kotobuki no Kai (minyo)
5:20 p.m.: L.A. Matsuri Taiko
6:15 to 8:30 p.m. Break for Obon dancing (north lot)
8:30 p.m.: Raffle drawing