The Venice Japanese Community Center’s annual Summer Festival will take place on the weekend of June 25-26.
Hours are Saturday from 12 to 9 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. VJCC is located at 12448 Braddock Dr. in Los Angeles, one block west of Centinela Boulevard, a half-mile north of the 90 Freeway.
The festival will feature several demonstrations on the main stage throughout the weekend, including aikido, judo, kendo, karate, taiko, hula, odori, shamisen, shodo, and koto. As tradition goes, VJCC will be hosting a donut-eating contest for hungry participants on Saturday.
This year, the VJCC is showcasing the Japanese Culture EXPO, focusing on Japanese cultural arts that the VJCC has to offer. This includes exhibitions and demonstrations from bonsai, ikebana, koto, shamisen, shodo (calligraphy), sumi-e (ink painting), watercolors, photography, Venice Gakuen, and Japanese Language for Adults.
Ondo will also be taking place each evening, beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The VJCC is also proud to present jazz performances starring Mystic Wave on Saturday, at 8 p.m. and Razz on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
In addition to the Japanese Culture EXPO, demonstrations, and game booths, food booths will also be a prominent feature with sushi, udon, teriyaki chicken, Korean barbecue ribs, somen, Spam musubi, won ton, dango, shave ice, and other specialties.
All funds raised during the festival are used to offset operational expenses and to support a variety of cultural, sports and service programs offered to the community.
Admission is free. For more details, call (310) 822-8885 or visit www.vjcc.com.
2016 Demonstration Schedule
Saturday, June 25
1:30 p.m.: Gakuen
2 p.m.: Aikido
2:30 p.m.: Judo
3 p.m.: Donut-eating contest
3:30 p.m.: Kendo
4 p.m.: Karate
4:30 p.m.: Shamisen
5 p.m.: Introduction of Miss Western L.A. 2and scholarship awardees
5:30 p.m.: Taiko
6 p.m.: Ondo
8 p.m.: Mystic Wave
Sunday, June 26
11:30 a.m.: Razz
1:30 p.m.: Hula
2 p.m.: Shodo and koto
2:30 p.m.: Ikebana
3 p.m.: Odori
3:30 p.m.: Karate
4 p.m.: Judo
4:30 p.m.: Aikido
5 p.m.: Taiko
5:30 p.m.: Ondo
7 p.m.: VJCC raffle
Ondo practice will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 9; Saturday, June 11; Thursday, June 16; Saturday, June 18; and Thursday, June 23.