The Valley Japanese Community Center, 8850 Lankershim Blvd., Sun Valley, hosts its annual Obon festival on the weekend of June 21-22 from 5 to 10 p.m.
Crowd-pleasing and classic all-time favorite foods such as udon, teriyaki beef, sushi, Chinese chicken salad, and fresh roasted corn on the cob and homemade baked goods are some of the foods that will be available for purchase.
Demonstrations of judo, karate, kendo, tea ceremony and minyo odori will be held. Festival-type games, exhibits of calligraphy/sumi-e, and schoolwork completed by Japanese school students will be featured on both days.
Returning on Saturday to Sun Valley for the fourth year is Matsutoyo Kai with a special performance of minyo music. Returning for the fifth year is LA Matsuri Taiko, which will fill the air with their thunderous drumming on Sunday.
After the demonstrations, join in the Bon Odori dances. Bon dances are dances of joy, so age, looks or experience should not inhibit anyone from entering the circle of dancers.
Practice dates are Tuesday and Friday from May 30 to June 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring uchiwa (round fan), tenugui (cloth towel) and kachi-kachi (Japanese castanets).
For more information, contact Christine Inouye at christineinouye@yahoo.com or (818) 825-9583.