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

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

Tohoku Insights 2013 online

The Tohoku Insights 2013 public forum (http://www.tohokuinsights.com) was staged Saturday, March 9, 2013, in recognition of the two year anniversary of the disasters of 3/11.

This public forum featured 6 people who’ve been affected by the disasters and who are involved in the recovery efforts.

The event was live webcast, and can be viewed online at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jamsj

“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.

The Crisis in Fukushima Sixteen Months After 3-11, What Has Changed?

A Talk By Mr. Yasuteru Yamada
Wednesday, August 1 at 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Cowell Hall Rm. 106, University of San Francisco 2130 Fulton St., between Masonic & Parker

Mr. Yasuteru Yamada represents the Skilled Veterans Corps for Fukushima, an organization composed of retired engineers and other professionals who have volunteered to repair and maintain the reactors. Its members feel that, since their lifespans are limited, they can handle the health risks better than younger people, and spend more time on site. So far, the Japanese government is refusing their assistance.

For information about Mr. Yamada, contact: gabriellarandazzo@gmail.com or 707-888-0923

Ishinomaki to Venice! Help us screen Then and Now at the Venice Film Festival.

Eight months after the disaster of March 11, 2011, we visited Ishinomaki and interviewed survivors rebuilding their lives. We condensed these interviews into a 15 minute film, Then and Now, and posted it online. As a direct result, over 20,000 US dollars in funds and supplies have been delivered to Tohoku. But we’re not done yet.

Then and Now is one of 50 semi-finalists in the Youtube, Your Film Festival competition, and you can help us get to the next round.

http://bit.ly/ishinomaki2venice

Please follow the link above and vote for our film: Then and Now.

The top 10 films will be screened at the Venice Film Festival and even more people around the world will have a chance to hear everyone’s stories. Please visit this site and place a vote!  http://bit.ly/ishinomaki2venice

Help us support our friends in Ishinomaki and all over Tohoku!

Help us get our film in the top 10. You can vote once a day so please vote every day!

Thank you so much!

Jeffrey

In Tokyo, Thousands Protest the Restarting of a Nuclear Power Plant

NYTimes
By MARTIN FACKLER
Published: June 29, 2012

TOKYO — Shouting antinuclear slogans and beating drums, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Japanese prime minister’s residence on Friday in the largest display yet of public anger at the government’s decision to restart a nuclear power plant. <article>

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/)

Hiroshi Inomata, Consul General of Japan @ Our Hearts To Japan: A Community Remembrance

Mieko at the Keizai Society Shinnenkai 2012