Twilight Concert, April 27, 2013

On April 27, ZenPlay, the Edgewood Trio of (Beni Shinohara – violin, Margaret Moores – cello, and Marilyn Thompson – piano), and Himawari-kai co-hosted a fundraising concert in Tiburon, California.

Over 70 people came to celebrate beautiful music, friendship, food and wine in a true testament to the ZenPlay spirit: Play a little, give a lot.

We raised over $8000 in this event, and will send to Ichinoseki Fujinosono, over $6000 in donations (after expenses), to support over 40 children who live in the house. The children are looking forward to moving into their new home after having lived in temporary housing after the earthquake in 2011.
http://zenplay.org/projects/events/

Video: Yuko Inatsuki

Fujinosono images: Steve Yamaguma

Kids Orchestra Japan Project

Just met Junko Suzuki Parsons and her friends at Mari Kawawa’s fundraiser “Twilight COncert on the Bay”, Saturday, April 27th, 2013 in Tiburon, CA, featuring the Edgewood Trio. Junko’s team is helping promote the Kids Orchestra Japan Project, an exchange program of youths in Japan and the U.S. collaborating with music. Their goal is to connect the kids in the affected areas in the Tohoku area of Japan to help them through these challenging times. Will be updating more about their progress.
http://cyclub.me

Otonowa – Jazz ensemble to perform in Tohoku

March,2013 Japan

Otonowa, the acclaimed ensemble led by jazz drummer Akira Tana will be heading to Japan to perform at several benefit concerts supporting the recover efforts in the Tohoku region.

The Otonowa tour schedule:

26th 7-11:30 pm Satin Doll, Roppongi, Tokyo

27th evening Tono, Iwate　@NPO遠野、岩手

28th 10-2:30 Otsuchi, Iwate@NPO大槌、岩手//  Evening Kesennuma Shimin Kaikan Chu Hall, Miyagi気仙沼市民会館中ホール、宮城

29th  1 – 9pm Tokiwagi Gakuen HS, Sendai, MIyagi常盤木学園高校・仙台、宮城

30th  day/eve Ishinomaki Chuo Kouminkan, Miyagi 石巻中央公民館、宮城

For more information contact Akira Tana at:

acanatun@sbcglobal.net

www.otonowa-usa.com

“Friends helping Friends” Castilleja School’s Arts with a Heart – Friends Helping Friends

Friday Feb. 8
Saturday Feb 9
Sunday Feb 10
http://www.castilleja.org/

Don’t miss this moving performance of dance, song, poetry, and interviews from the heart at Castilleja School for the Arts in Palo Alto. Beautiful, artistic interpretations of the events that happened on March 11, 2011 in the Tohoku area of Japan, the students captured the sense of devastation, fear, and loneliness and how connecting as “friends” instilled a spirit of hope and optimism.

The addition of famed Oh-In Taiko and master drummer Jimi Nakagawa http://www.jiminakagawa.com/ fueled the excitement and stirred the emotions.

And, the moments with the “special guests” touched the hearts of everyone in the audience. Gambate kudasai.

Congratulations to Georgi Shea, producer and all the students and performers of Castilleja School.

Wilcox High School Japanese class sings their best wishes to Tohoku

Upon hearing that I would be traveling to the Tohoku region of Japan to visit Soma Aiikuen Children’s Shelter in Soma City, and Ichinoseki Fujinosono Children’s Shelter in Ichinoseki, my son’s Japanese class decided to sing a Japanese song dedicated to the children in those shelters. Led by Ushimaru-sensei, the students sang, played the music, shot and edited the video.

The students in the Wilcox High School Japanese Class in Santa Clara California wishes all the best and hope to build friendships across the Pacific Ocean.

They did an excellent job, putting their heart and soul into the project.

Please enjoy.

Shoko Hikage, koto player, sharing her stories of support

Shoko Hikage, acclaimed koto player, performed at the recent, Berkeley Bazaar, May 20, 2012 with the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble. (Berkeley Buddhist Church, Berkeley California).

Jazz at the Temple Sat. May 19, 2012

Jazz at the Temple Saturday, may 19, 2012 at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple

2 S. Claremont St, San Mateo, CA 94401
2pm – 6pm

Tickets: http://jazzatthetemple.eventbrite.com/

A concert and Japanese archery demonstration event benefiting the 2012 American Kyudo Seminar featuring:

Akira Tana

Bob Kenmotsu

Aaron Germain

This event is hosted by the Northern California Kyudo Federation and is proudly supported by Baia Pasta (http://www.baiapasta.com/)

Kogarashi, Nakao Tozan

Nikkei Matsuri Presents An Evening of ‘Music From The Heart’

April 27, 2012, Friday
Nikkei Matsuri Presents An Evening of ‘Music From The Heart’
Featuring Ayako Hosokawa
7:00-9:00pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
San Jose Buddhist Betsuin Gymnasium

As a well known vocalist in the Bay Area Japanese American community, Ayako shares her love of music and song with a variety of popular and contemporary American music that she has grown to love during her international music career. This evening, she will be accompanied by: Shota Okabe, Bob Kenmotsu, Ken Okada and Rich Alegria.

A portion of the concert proceeds will be donated to JCCCNC’s Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Tickets are $15 ($20 at the door) and are available from Nikkei Traditions-San Jose Japantown, Wesley Methodist Church, Yu Ai Kai and Nikkei Matsuri Board Members.
See: www.nikkeimatsuri.org

Matsukawa Kyougaku Taiko Drummers

This taiko group from Matsukawa, Japan is touring the US on a “thank you” tour for support Americans shared in the months after last year’s March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The Japanese Consulate in Denver invited the group to play a few songs at a memorial reception to mark the first anniversary of the disaster. We couldn’t make the concerts in Colorado Springs and Denver, so we were glad to get to see Kyougaku live at the Botanic Gardens during the memorial reception. They were amazing!

via Gil Asakawa