THE APPA Newsletter

December 28, 2004

Japanese new year:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2064.html

http://tanutech.com/japan/newyear.html

The old Japanese calendar:

http://www2.gol.com/users/stever/calendar.htm

See This Weekend

MISSION STATEMENT:

Promote full utilization of the capabilities of the Enterprise's employees and champion the betterment of the company and community. Promote interest in Asian Pacific issues and culture and act as a bridge to all groups within our community.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

ed. by Douglas Ikemi

(dkikemi@pacbell.net)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The internet site is at:

www.apa-pro.org

Our own domain name, apa-pro.org, stands for Asian Pacific American Professionals. www.apa-pro.org/ gives you a menu of AP organization websites.

Back issues of the newsletter for all of 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 are available on the website if you want to look up some past event.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

APPA Board Meeting Schedule for 2004:

Wednesday evening meetings open to the public will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2100 Mariposa Ave.(corner of Nash) at 6PM.

December 15

Detailed, updated calendar is available on the internet at www.apa-pro.org in Acrobat and Excel formats [I'll update it someday when I have some more time] Please send in information on cultural events and news items. Thanks to those who have.

Long range calendar items:

Chinatown Farmers Market Every Thursday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm Chinatown Business Improvement District http://www.ChinatownLA.com/ For Information (213)_ 680-0243

Sept 12- Jan 2, 2005 George Nakashima: Nature, Form & Spirit at the JANM. This exhibition will feature a range of George Nakashima’s designs from the immediate post-World War II period until his death in 1990. Photographs, ephemera, and other archival materials pertaining to Nakashima will also be on display. Most of the objects come from the collection of the Nakashima family and will be supplemented with local loans. A video piece by John Terry Nakashima, a media producer and nephew of George, will be on view in the Terasaki Orientation Theater. George Nakashima: Nature, Form & Spirit is based on an exhibition organized by the Mingei International Museum in San Diego with Mira Nakashima, curatorial consultant. http://www.janm.org/exhibits/nakashima/

November 13, 2004 – April 3, 2005 John Kwok: Line and Color exhibit. Chinese American Museum, 425 N. Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles 90012 (In Olvera Street) 213-626-5240. http://www.camla.org/events/calendar.htm

Jan 9-20 7th Annual Shikishi Exhibit, Location: George J. Doizaki Gallery. Participants from all ages, professions and interests are invited to design a Japanese shikishi (New Year greeting card) to express their hopes and dreams for the new year, the Year of the Rooster. All submitted works are exhibited. Past participants include the former Prime Minister of Japan, Toshiki Kaifu; former Japan Giants coach, Shigeo Nagashima; and Judo Olympic Gold medalist, Ryoko Tani (Yawara-chan). Gallery Hours: Open Tuesday Friday 12 noon to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 4pm. Admission Free. For more information contact the Visual Arts Department at (213) 627-2725, ext. 127.

Jan 9 Kotohajime - Hatsu Tabi: First Journey

Location: JACCC Plaza, 1pm. The ritual shooting of the arrow, purification ceremony, kagami biraki (breaking of the sake barrel) and other Japanese cultural traditions are performed in celebration of the opening of the Year of the Rooster. The performance coincides with the beginning of the annual Shikishi exhibition, featuring works by hundreds of local and international artists. This year's opening celebrations are particularly special for the JACCC, as the Center commemorates its 25th anniversary. Admission Free .

Jan 20, Return of the Dragon: Crenshaw Boulevard, Bruce Lee, and 1970s Afro-Asian Cultural Connections. The Japanese American National Museum presents a panel discussion exploring issues raised by the exhibition Black Belt. Originally organized by the Studio Museum in Harlem and on view at SMMOA through February 12, Black Belt probes the interconnected effects of multiculturalism on popular culture and art practice. Panelists will include artists, scholars, and others who consider the impact of political movements, demographic shifts, and the fantastic idolatry of Bruce Lee on the complex history of co-existence between Asians and African Americans in 1970s Los Angeles. www.jam.org. In association with the [http://www.smmoa.org/ Santa Monica Museum of Art]

Jan 27 At the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Leo S. Bing Theater, Los Angeles, CA 90036. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) presents "Court Songs and Folk Songs." The Society of Traditional Korean Musicology will present an evening of traditional music of Korea. Featured selections include an important performance of lyrical folk music (p'ansori) by a distinguished Korean singer, as well as court music from the Choson dynasty and folk songs (minyo) from different regions of the country. The event is free but tickets are required. Visit LACMA’s ticket office beginning October 1 to obtain tickets.

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM. For more information please contact (323) 857-6010

Jan 30 Kodo Taiko Ensemble. Kicking off the JACCC's 25th Anniversary, this benefit concert brings the legendary taiko drummers from Sado Island back to the Aratani/Japan America Theatre for their only Los Angeles performance. This special performance will support Kodo's North American non profit cultural organization, Kodo Arts Sphere America (KASA). This organization seeks to support the development of taiko in North America. Tickets: Anniversary Patron: $100, Reserved seating: $50 orchestra, balcony $47, JACCC Members: $45 orchestra, balcony $42. More info on tickets: call the Box Office at 213.680.3700. Aratani Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., Downtown LA, 90012, $100, 47, 50, 213-680-3700

Feb 5 San Gabriel Valley Annual Lunar New Year Parade and Festival. Parade - 11:00 am to 12:30 pm On Valley from San Gabriel to Almansor. Beautiful floats, mighty bands, the energetic winding dragon, as well as the lion dance with acrobatic martial arts will embrace the spirit of the New Year. The parade will be watched by approximately thirty thousand people lining the 1.5 mile route on Valley Blvd. Beginning in San Gabriel and ending in Alhambra. It will also reach thousands of people at home through the live broadcasting on KMNY 1370 AM Chinese radio. The delayed televised program will be shown on local, cable, and satellite channels

Street Festival - 10 am - 5:30 pm On Valley Blvd. Between Garfield & Almansor. The Festival will be held in the heart of one of the largest Chinese / American commercial districts in the southland, becoming almost more of an outreach than a premier cultural celebration. The one day festivities attract about 50,000 people and consist of more than 100 booths and many theme-oriented venues such as the Cultural Village. The food court will be presenting many ethnic flavors. Admission is free. The Volvo Auto Square will be displaying a fleet of their latest vehicles renowned for safety and durability.

The festival will include an Entertainment Stage that features a variety of programs including the JCPenney Fashion Show. The Cultural Pavilion will be presenting several exhibits that will provide a glimpse into Chinese culture and tradition including the giveaway of one thousand red envelopes. Several special areas will be provided for children. The Children's Fun Zone has a stage of its own for storytelling and singing

A Worship Ceremony to Our Ancestors - 10 am - 11 pm

It is an essential new year custom for Asian people to pay respect to and remember their ancestors, asking for prosperity and good health for the coming year. Statues of Gods and more than 500 Chinese surnames written on scrolls were displayed on the stage. A large table filled with flowers, fruits and wine offerings. At 10 a.m., religious and civic leaders will gathered to perform traditional rituals that asking our ancestors to bless our country and our people.

Feb 13, 2005 Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker 5k/10k, Celebrating the Year of the Rooster, Lunar Year 4703 http://www.firecracker10k.org/

February 19 Lantern Festival 2005,12 noon at the Chinese American Museum / El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. http://www.camla.org/events/calendar.htm

The Van Nuys Japanese Garden needs volunteers on Sundays in work in the Shoin Tea House, 11AM-3PM, 1 or 2 Sundays each month. Volunteers needed to either prepare tea or serve. Gift shop volunteers also needed, Mon-Thu and Sunday, mornings or afternoons, 2-3 hour shifts. Contact: The Japanese Garden, Attn: Betty Ethridge, 6100 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Weekend (and earlier)

Oct 2 – Jan 2, 2005 Exhibition - Rinko Kawauchi: AILA

At the UCR/California Museum of Photography. UCR/California Museum of Photography is pleased to present AILA, the first major solo debut for Rinko Kawauchi, a young photographer based out of Tokyo, Japan. UCR/California Museum of Photography, 3824 Main Street, Downtown Riverside, CA 92501. $1 for the general public and free to members, students and seniors. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 12 PM to 5 PM. For more information please contact Linda Theung, 951-827-5017

Email: linda.theung@email.ucr.edu

Website: www.cmp.ucr.edu/pr

Dec 29 Oshogatsu Workshops for Children At the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Children ages 7-12

Celebrate Japanese New Year in this one-day workshop. Children will make and play with traditional New Year games and toys, watch a performance by local artists and pound their own mochi all while learning the significance of the symbols and traditions of Oshogatsu.

Download an application: http://www.jaccc.org/event_%20related/oshogatsuflyer.pdf

Space is limited to 30 participants per session.

For more information or to register, please call Sara Rodriguez at (213) 628-2725 x 142. Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC)

JACCC Plaza, 2nd Fl. Conference Rooms

244 South San Pedro Street

Los Angeles (Little Tokyo), CA 90012

$20 JACCC Members, $25 Non Members; (213) 628-2725

www.jaccc.org/event_%20related/mochitsuki.html

Dec 31 "MIDNIGHT MAGIC" New Year's Eve Dance At Southeast Japanese School & Community Center

"MIDNIGHT MAGIC" New Year's Eve Dance is set for Friday, December 31, 2004 at the Southeast Japanese School & Community Center in Norwalk. A perfect way to ring in the New Year of the roster, the fun-filled evening of dinner and dance will be headlined with entertainment by The Music Co. A luau buffet and no host bar provided by Cherrystones Restaurant begins at 7pm and the entertainment and dancing follows at 8:30 pm until 1 am. Leonard Kim (Cherrystones Restaurant in Gardena) is producing the event. The Music Company headlines evening. A popular JA band, The Music Company still performs and records today. Featuring vocals by Howie Hiyoshida and Randy Yoshimoto, the band members include Dennis Yokotake on keyboards and Dane Matsumura on bass. Founded by Yoshimoto and Yokotake in 1982, Dane Matsumura joined the group in 1983. All three musicians grew up in the LA area and performed with various local bands in the late 60's and 70's. Yoshimoto (A Long Time coming), Yokotake (Easy Living) and Matsumura (Beaudry Express) made up the original trio. In the late 80's vocalist Nishizu (Free Flight) and Howard Hiyoshida (Along Time Coming) began performing several times a year with the Music Co. at special community events. Partial proceeds from the event will be donated to Southeast Japanese School & Community Center, Southbay Keiro and For the Animals.

Time: 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Southeast Japanese School &Community Center

14615 Gridley Road

Norwalk, CA

Cost: $55 per person $500 Tables of 10

For tickets call Laura or Leonard at 310.329-8022 ABSOLUTELY NO TICKET SALES AT THE DOOR

Jan 1 Oshogatsu at Weller Court, the New Otani, and Japanese Village Plaza

Various performances at Japanese Village Plaza (between 1^st & 2^nd Sts. ) from 12-4PM. Cultural demonstrations at the New Otani from 12-3PM. Weller Court Schedule:

11AM Openin Ceremony, including Zendekio Taiko

11:30 More Zendeko

11:45 Japanese Swordsmanship

12 Lion Dance

12:40 Kempo demonstration

1PM Koto performance

1:20 Samurai Action Show

1:40 Kendo demonstration

2 Kimono Show

2:20 Geta Tap Dance

2:30 Minyo & Odori

Jan 1 Thai New Year's Festival At Wat Thai of North Hollywood

Come celebrate the New Year's event at Thai Temple of Los Angeles the weekend of January 1 and 2, 2005. This traditional event includes the buddhist offering ceremony, Thai food / products fair, and many others. It's the best way to experience the Thai culture, traditional and non-traditional among the Thais. It's also great for those who want to learn about the country or who are planning to visit Thailand.

Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wat Thai of North Hollywood

8225 Coldwater Canyon Avenue

Noth Hollywood, CA 91605

Cost: Free

Jan 2 Oshogatsu: New Year Family Day Festival at the Japanese American National Museum, www.janm.org. FREE ADMISSION

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Learn about New Year’s symbols and traditions with arts and crafts classes for children of all ages.

11:00 AM - Let’s Read! Story Time: How the Years Were Named, retold by Chizuko Kamichi

12:00 PM - Let’s Read! Story Time: A Hawai`i Japanese New Year with Yuki-Chan by Tokie Ching

1:00 PM - Mochitsuki, traditional rice cake pounding performance

2:00 PM - The Pasadena Cultural Institute Kendo Dojo will showcase principles and techniques of kendo or “the way of the sword.” The dojo is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

3:00 PM - Let’s Read! Story Time: A Hawai`i Japanese New Year with Yuki-Chan by Tokie Ching

However, LACMA (Chinese and Korean galleries closed until January 2005) should be open the day after Christmas if you need to go somewhere. You can also visit the Bowers Cultural Museum, UCLA Fowler Museum, and the Pacific Asia Museum instead of going to the Mall to return those presents and hit the sales.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last Weekend:

On Tuseday, 12/21, I went to see the Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library.

LA Times: (The Times are requiring registration again, but you might as well sign up for the free on-line access to their articles. This week they may even be accessible without registration. Calendar articles are usually only accessible with a paid subscription.)

Dec 28 EDITORIAL

A Devastating 9.0

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-ed-tsunami28dec28,1,7595624.story

Dec 28 CATASTROPHE IN SOUTHERN ASIA

Grief Hits Home in Southland

By Richard Fausset and Megan Garvey, Times Staff Writers

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/la-me-waiting28dec28,1,4434876.story

Dec 25 Chinese Shoe Firm Steps Up Its Game

Li Ning seeks to beat foreign rivals Nike and Adidas to stay on top of the domestic market.

By Ralph Frammolino, Times Staff Writer

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chinashoe25dec25,1,7495317.story

Dec 24 PASSINGS