SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple will hold its Obon Festival on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 1 to 9 p.m. at St. Patrick’s School, 900 W. Branch St. in Arroyo Grande.
The festival will feature food, games, taiko drum performance, martial arts demonstrations, bonsai exhibits, Asian crafts, traditional Japanese dance, and a special guest performance by Grammy-winning koto artist Yukiko Matsuyama.
International recording artist Matsuyama bridges eras and cultures. From performing with Shakira at the Latin Grammy Awards to recording with Paul Winter on his Grammy-winning album “Miho: Journey to the Mountain” (Best New Age Album) to performing with Motown legend James Gadson, she shares the sound of the koto with diverse audiences worldwide.
Her compositions for koto and Western instruments delve into a joyous and celebrative blend of world and pop music. She delivers the sounds of the ancient 7th-century instrument with authority and grace while managing to infuse elements of jazz, pop, new age, and world music into her mesmerizing compositions.
Outdoor events:
1 to 1:30 p.m. — Ichimi Daiko, opening and hands-on demonstration
3 to 4 p.m.: Bonsai demonstration
6:15 to 7:30 p.m.: Bon Odori
7:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Raffle drawing
Indoor events:
2 to 2:30 p.m.: Iaido (Jennifer Hooper), kendo (Jason Carter)
2:30 to 3:15 p.m.: Judo (Jody Dowell)
3:30 to 4:14 p.m.: Daito Ryu Aiki Jujitsu (Hayao Kiyama)
4:30 to 5 p.m.: Koto (Yukiko Matsuyama)
5:15 to 6 p.m.: Ichimi Daiko (Ruth Vines, Tet Uyeda, Mike Ponder)
Free admission. For more information, call (805) 595-2625 or visit www.slobuddhisttemple.org.