“Let the Good Times Roll,” the Grateful Crane Ensemble’s sixth annual fundraising dinner and silent auction, will be held Saturday, March 22, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Nishi Hongwanji Los Angeles Betsuin Kaikan, 815 E. First St. in Little Tokyo.
The event will be a nostalgic look back at the “Nifty Fifties” as the ensemble presents some of the favorite songs of the 1950s and early ’60s. Whether it’s Elvis, Little Richard, the Kingston Trio or “The King and I,” the singers will take you on a journey back to the days of black-and-white TVs, drive-in movies and “Davy Crockett” as Japanese Americans worked to rebuild their lives after the war.
Also featured this year will be a special presentation about Grateful Crane’s upcoming goodwill tour to Japan and how you can help the children and families of Tohoku.
“No boring speeches. No chicken dinner. Just good food, good friends and good fun,” organizers said.
Individual reservations are $60. For questions or more information, email gratefulcrane@gmail.com or call (310) 995-5841.
Serving on the Dinner Committee are John Nakaki (chair), Allen and Gayle Goya, Loryce Hashimoto, Harvey Hihara, Jo Ann Hirose, Gene Kanamori, Soji Kashiwagi, Keiko Kawashima, Shirley Nakaki, Helen Ota, Christy Sakamoto, Naomi Suenaka, Nancy Takayama, Patricia Takayama and Candace Watase.
As with all of its shows, Grateful Crane will be performing in honor of and in gratitude to the Issei and Nisei elders whose hard work and sacrifices in the ’50s and ’60s paved the way for younger generations to follow.