“Celebrating the Dojo,” a dance benefit for the Furuya Foundation and 40th anniversary of Aikido Center of Los Angeles, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Nishi Hongwanji Kaikan, 815 E. First St., Little Tokyo.
Doors open at 7 p.m.; dancing from 8 to 11:30 p.m. to the music of Kokoro, making its first appearance of the year. The band features Lauren Hanako Kinkade (vocals), Steven Santiago (vocals). Jennifer Cella (vocals), Gary Liebsack (drums), Glenn Nishida (bass/electric guitar), Michael Chung (electric and acoustic guitar), Wayne Horino (keyboards/vocals), Wayne Nagao (keyboards/guitar/bass guitar), Jesse Acuna (conga/percussion) and Terry Rangno (sound engineer).
The event will include a cash bar, complimentary light appetizers, opportunity drawings and door prizes.
Admission at the door is $50 per person. Contributions from those who are unable to attend but would like to donate are welcome.
For more information, contact Carol Tanita at cntanita@mail.com or (626) 281-8894 or Dale Okuno at daleokuno@gmail.com or (626) 585-3500, ext. 7220.
The dojo was established in 1974 by the late Rev. Kensho Furuya, aikido 6th Dan and iaido 6th Dan kyoshi. Furuya Sensei was a direct student of the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba and trained at the Aikido World Headquarters Hombu Dojo in 1969. Aikido Center of L.A. is directly affiliated with the Aikido World Headquarters, Hombu Dojo Aikikai, and is also the headquarters for the Los Angeles Sword and Swordsmanship Society.