|
JCCCNC 30TH ANNIVERSARY COMMUNITY CELEBRATION DAYSeptember 12, 2003
Continuing the Legacy“Continuing the Legacy, a celebration of 30 years” is the main program and dedication to Yori Wada.. As envisioned thirty years ago, JCCCNC has become a home in the Japantown community for future generations to continue to gather. Yori Wada lived true to that vision as he strived to keep the doors open in the community and empower the youth through his dedicated work at the Buchanan YMCA and his many years of community service for the JCCCNC and other organizations. In honor of his commitment and foresight, a special dedication plaque will be presented to Mrs. Chiyo Wada and family at JCCCNC’s 30th Anniversary celebration. The keynote address “Continuing the Legacy” will be given by Keith Curtis Kimoto, a community volunteer and youth leader. He participated in National Young Leaders Conference 2002 in Washington DC, Nikkei International Youth Exchange Program 2001 in Lima, Peru and served as Senior Class President at Wallenberg High School. He is a recipient of the 2002 Nikkei Youth Sports Scholarship, served as a youth intern at the JCCCNC, and participated in the Shinzen Nikkei Youth Goodwill Basketball Program. Featured guest Sophie Oda, vocalist/performer, Kirakiraboshi Japanese Children’s Choir directed by Kaori Nakano, and Gen Taiko directed by Melody Takata will provide entertainment for the main event. Sophie Oda, an eleven year old seasoned performer, has performed in theater productions for the past five years. She performed in “The King and I” at the Willows Theatre,“The Joy Luck Club” at TheatreWorks, the lead role in “Annie” at Stage 1 Repertory,“Jane Eyre” at TheatreWorks, and “Sound of Music” at American Musical Theater. Her recent appearance on CBS’ Star Search has brought her national recognition. Kaori Nakano, director of Kirakiraboshi Japanese Children’s Choir, received her Bachelors of Music at Kobe College, Japan as well as a teacher’s credential in 1986. She then continued her studies at the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of Music receiving her Masters of Music in 1992. Nakano served as the assistant music director at the San Francisco Girls Chorus, music director at the ABC Preschool, Daruma No Gakko, DeAvila Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program. Melody Takata, artistic director of Gen Taiko, has been performing
for over 20 years in Japan and U.S.A. Her choreography combines
elements of Japanese classical dance, Japanese traditional music
and rhythm, and Japanese folk dance. Takata has studied and performed
with L.A. Matsuri, S.F. Taiko Dojo, and is a prodigy and former
member of Tokyo’s O Edo Sukeroku Taiko, one of Japan’s
most highly renowned taiko ensembles. Community Entertainment and ArtThe opening entertainment will feature the Francis Wong Trio with renown saxophonist Francis Wong, bass guitarist John Carlos Perea, and percussionist Jimmy Biala. Francis Wong was a Meet the Composer New Resident at the JCCCNC in 2002 and a former Artist in Residence 1992-1998. He recently was honored by KQED-TV and Union Bank of California and the California State Automobile Association as an “Outstanding Local Hero of 2002” for Asian Pacific Heritage Month. His work is well documented on 9 CD recordings as a leader and over 30 recordings as a featured performer. He is the Creative Director of the celebrated production company Asian Improv aRts and the President of the Justice Matters Institute. Two entertainment programs, “Cultural Blends” at 5:00 pm and “Soko Motion” at 5:30 p.m. will highlight a few of the JCCCNC programs. “Cultural Blends, music and dance performances” will present Hawaiian music with Ka’ala Dee Carmack, Japanese dance by Michiya Hanayagi Dance Group, and a hip-hop dance routine by the Shinzen youth choreographed by Judith Kajiwara. “Soko Motion, rhythms and vocals reflecting the emerging voice of Japantown” will feature karate, brazilian percussion and dance, taiko, and a second performance by guest artist Sophie Oda. Oda’s second performance will allow children and families the opportunity to meet her and hear about her career. The karate demonstration will be led by Craig Hamakawa of the International Karate League. Craig Hamakawa Craig Hamakawa is a Nana-dan (7th degree black belt) who has been teaching at the JCCCNC since 1999. SambAsia, a Brazilian music and dance performance, will be led by percussionist Jimmy Biala and dancer/choreographer Lenora Lee. Jimmy Biala served as a California Arts Council Artist in Resident at the JCCCNC in 2002-3. Through his residency, he directed SambAsia, the first escola de Brazil in Japantown, and participated in San Francisco’s 25th Annual Caranaval Parade. Lenora Lee has been teaching Modern Dance for children at the JCCCNC for the past year. Gen Taiko, a resident company at the JCCCNC for the past seven years, will provide the closing performance. Throughout the day, “Nikkei Expressions, a cultural art exhibit” featuring visual and textile arts will be open for viewing in the gallery. “Nikkei Expressions” will feature the following works by JCCCNC class participants: paintings in Sumie and Watercolor taught by artists David Wang and Wendy Yoshimura; Japanese fabric quilt and appliqué designs directed by quilt artist Naoko Ito, Shibori wearable and home designs taught by Yukiko Ichimura Sorrell, washi ningyo dolls taught by Yuri Nakamura and Rochelle Lum. Also on display will be a mixed media installation by participants of the Healing Body Movement workshop led by Jill Togawa of Purple Moon Dance Company for women struggling with life threatening illnesses. A special series of art workshops facilitated by Thu Ha Vu, allowed participants to create body mold planters reflecting their sources of healing and support. The initial installation will be presented at the Community Healing Garden Festival on September 13th. “StART with Art, an art display and activities for children” will be facilitated by Julie Hatta. On display will be group projects and photos from stART with Art, an innovative hands-on summer art camp held the past three years at the JCCCNC. Children will have the opportunity to hear an original Kamishibai Japanese Storytelling and create original hand crafted designs. Please contact JCCCNC to RSVP for this free community event at 415.567.5505. About the JCCCNCEnvisioned by the Japanese American community, JCCCNC will be an everlasting foundation of our Japanese American ancestry, cultural heritage, histories and traditions. The JCCCNC strives to meet the evolving needs of the Japanese American community through programs, affordable services and facility usage. The JCCCNC is a non-profit community center based in San Francisco. For more information, please contact: Paul Osaki, Executive Director |
SAN
FRANCISCO (September 12, 2003) - “Our community, Our future,”
is the theme for JCCCNC’s 30th Anniversary Community Celebration
Day on Saturday, September 20, 2003, 3:00pm to be held at JCCCNC,
1840 Sutter Street, San Francisco. The free afternoon event includes
the main program, silent and live auction, community buffet, entertainment,
cultural art exhibits, and children’s activities.