The fifth annual Los Angeles Tanabata Festival will be held in conjunction with the Nisei Week Japanese Festival next weekend in front of the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA and the Japanese American National Museum at First Street and Central Avenue in Little Tokyo.
Highlights of the two-day festival include a display of award-winning kazari (ornaments) from the 2013 Sendai Tanabata Festival, a kazari contest for local community organizations, entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and games.
Opening ceremony will be held Friday, Aug. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The entertainment lineup is as follows (subject to change):
Saturday, Aug. 10
10:30 a.m.: Chikara Taiko from Centenary United Methodist Church
11 a.m.: Da Aloha Picking Ohana, led by Mel Ogata, from Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute
11:30 a.m.: Matsubayashi-Ryu of Little Tokyo, led by Art Ishii, Centenary Church Karate
12 p.m.: A Cappella Club from Kofu First High School in Yamanashi Prefecture
12:30 p.m.: Yuki A., folk/pop singer/songwriter from the OC
1 p.m.: Kotobuki no Kai (traditional Japanese minyo dance group)
1:30 p.m.: Magician Daisuke Seo
2 p.m.: Okinawa Association of American and Performing Arts Committee — Tamagusuku-Ryu Kansen-Kai Yonamine Keiko Ryubu Dojo (master instructor: Keiko Yonamine) and Majikina Honryu Majikina Aiko Ryubu Dojo (master instructor: Aiko Majikina)
2:30 p.m.: Momotama Anime Band (acoustic guitarist from Japan and sexy jazz saxophonist from the U.S.)
3 p.m.: Singer/songwriter/pianist Kaoru Enjoji from Sapporo
3:30 p.m.: Ruri Matthews and 3rd Wave with special guest singer Elmer Hopper from the Platters (Rudy Copeland, keyboard; Terrance Love, drums; Tony Poingsett, percussion; Kaleem Ali, guitar; Mervin Ware, bass)
4:30 p.m.: Himkizer Anime
5 p.m.: Youujou Taiko, directed by Judi Kaminishi, from Gedatsu Church Los Angeles in South San Gabriel
5:30 p.m.: Michael Paulo Band (smooth jazz)
6:30 p.m.: Hikari Taiko
7 p.m.: Hanabata Homies (Hawaiian music ensemble) backed by members of Ai Manakō
7:30 p.m.: Ai Manakō, a Southern California-based Hawaiian music ensemble (James Kimo West, guitar; Diana Tanaka, vocalist; Kawika Dacoscos, bass; Maka’ale, ukulele, percussion; Joe Kamaru Bird, ipuheke)
Sunday, Aug. 11
10:30 a.m.: Taiko Center of L.A., founded by Rev. Tom Kurai
11 a.m.: Miyuki Matsunaga – Geta Dance (a new style of contemporary Japanese performing art)
11:30 a.m.: Los Angeles Todo-Kai and Kinyu-Kai Torrance Branch (koto: Yuki Ikebe; shakuhachi: Tomo Shimada; vocalists: Tomoko Maruo, Haruyo Saito, Kazuko Kosaka)
12:30 p.m.: Twin Stars (classic and new anime songs)
1 p.m.: Fujima Seiyumi (Classical Japanese dance blending traditional movements with contemporary music)
1:30 p.m.: Awa Odori Tokushima Ren from Los Angeles and Awakko Ren from San Francisco (traditional folk dance group with origins in Tokushima, Shikoku Island), led by Machiko Fujii
2 p.m.: Stephanie Yanez (singer)
2:30 p.m.: Ajuku Girls (super kawaii fashion and pop music with hip-hop influences)
3 p.m.: Himkizer Anime
3:30 p.m.: Local Mojo, founded by bassist Dane Matsumura (Eloy Gutierrez, guitar; Victor Salas, percussion; Freddy Schreuders, guitar; Victor Barrientos, drums)
4:30 p.m.: Miko (jazz voice)
