Gia Gunn leads dancers at last year’s Queer Obon.
The Okaeri Matsuri will take place on Saturday, June 29, from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Terasaki Budokan, 249 S. Los Angeles St. in Little Tokyo.
This event is free. However, RSVP is required to attend, so make sure to register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/okaeri-matsuri-registration-887272795817?aff=oddtdtcreator
Previously known as Queer Obon, Okaeri Matsuri is a community festival that gathers the Nikkei LGBTQ+ community to celebrate queer joy, inspired by Japanese summer festivities. The event is free, open to all LGBTQ+ communities and friends, and will include odori/dancing, performances, games, food, raffles, and more. Performers include TaikoProject, Bibi Discoteca, Gia Gunn, and Mariko & Cam.
Inspired by Japanese summer festivals, the Okaeri Matsuri is a celebration of the Nikkei LGBTQ+ community.
The Okaeri Ondo, a song and dance welcoming queer and trans loved ones home, will make its de-but. The Okaeri Ondo was made in collaboration with Great Leap, the organization most well known for FandangObon, alongside members of the Nikkei LGBTQ+ community who came out to Okaeri songwriting and dance choreography workshops last year.
In the week leading up to Okaeri Matsuri, two odori practices will be led by Mariko Rooks and Gia Gunn on Sunday, June 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, June 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple parking lot, 815 E. First St. in Little Tokyo.
Reach out to info@okaeri.org for any questions.
Follow @okaeri.community on Instagram to stay up to date with upcoming events.