The Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program presents “Let the Groove Get In,” Dancing with the Rising Stars 2, a benefit fundraiser, on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Kaikan, 815 E. First St., Los Angeles.
Toru Nagao will open the event with his popular line dance lessons at 7 p.m.
The band Kokoro will headline the dance, providing music with soul. Consisting of almost all Asian Americans, the group covers music from Motown to country, rock and pop; from the hits of the ’60s to current Billboard chart-toppers.
In Japanese, “kokoro” is used to signify “heart” or “soul.” In music, the drums keep the beat, or the “heart” of the music. The keyboards, bass and guitar represent the body of the music, and the vocals embody the “soul.”
The members of Kokoro came together to form a band out of the pure love of music, and together, they have found something beyond just performing together — shaping their own musical family. Band members are Glenn Nishida, musical director, bass, electric guitar, harmonica; Lauren Wong, Steven Santiago and Jennifer Cella, vocals; Wayne Horino, keyboards/vocals; Michael Chung, lead electric guitar, vocals; Wayne Nagao, keyboards, guitar, bass guitar; Gary Liebasack, drums; and Jesse Acuna, congas, percussion.
Organizers promise an exciting and fun-filled evening of dancing and socializing in support of the Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program. Attire is casual and flat-heel shoes only are allowed on the wood gym floor (no high heels).
Presale tickets are available. Sponsor tables for 10 guests ($500) include appetizers at the table. Individual tickets are $35 until Sept. 15; thereafter, they will be $50 at the door.
Make checks payable to the Rising Stars and include your name, email address, phone number and number of tickets desired. Indicate sponsor level or individual tickets and include names of table guests. Mail checks and ticket orders to Dancing with the Rising Stars 2 c/o Glenn Nakatani, P.O. Box 4235, Covina, CA 91723.
For more information, contact Carol Tanita, (626) 281-8894 or cntanita@mail.com; Wayne Nagao, (310) 374-0690 or wnagao@msn.com; Ron Dyo, (626) 963-0818 or gofishnjo@hotmail.com; or Cheryl Murase, (562) 335-0777 or cmurase@gmail.com.
Rising Stars, presented by the Nikkei Federation, is a leadership development and cultural education program for high school students. It is designed to develop leadership skills and to inspire youth involvement in the Japanese American community through a series of active, engaging workshops on a variety of topics. For more information, call (213) 254-5722, email risingstarsyouth@gmail.com or visit www.nikkeifederation.org. Nikkei Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Federal Tax ID# 95-4758509.