Nisei Week Japanese Festival | Los Angeles

Press Release

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Diane Tanaka
310-962-2698

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67th ANNUAL NISEI WEEK JAPANESE FESTIVAL EXHIBITS, ENTERTAINMENT, CAR SHOWS, AND THE NISEI WEEK CARNIVAL/STREET ARTS
There's Something for Everyone at the 2007 Nisei Week Festival August 18-26

(Los Angeles - July 15, 2007) - During August 18 - 26 visit Little Tokyo to partake in the 67th Annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival. Every summer the Nisei Week Foundation presents free Japanese cultural activities and exhibits, entertainment, food and games for everyone - from young children, adults and seniors. Many of the cultural exhibits and activities are free.

This year, event organizers are bringing back the Nisei Week Carnival and Street Arts Festival - the community's "can't miss event" from the 1940s - 1980s. This year's Carnival too is being billed a "must attend," taking place August 25-26 from 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on San Pedro Street between 2nd and 3rd streets. Like the old days, community organizations and youth groups are sponsoring food booths with chili rice, Okinawan dongo, beef/chicken teriyaki; and popular game booths, including dough-ball, dunk-o-booth, and basketball throw.

Taking place on both weekends (August 18-19/25-26) are various cultural exhibits and entertainment at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) and at other Little Tokyo locations. A Cosplay anime costume contest will be held on Saturday August 18 from 5 - 6 p.m. at the JACCC, with entrants will also participating in the Nisei Week Grand Parade. In addition the 8th Annual Nisei Week "Showoff" Car Show will be held on Saturday, August 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 100 Alameda Street, where top-notch show cars come out to compete and show for cash prizes and trophies. Admission is $10 at the door.

Joining the Nisei Week festivities for the first time, the 2007 U.S. Sumo Championship will be held on August 18 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the New Otani Hotel & Garden. An amateur competition, winners from each weight and gender categories will go on to represent the U.S. in Lausanne, Switzerland for the 2007 World Sumo Championships in November. Tickets are $10 at the door. On August 19, a sumo demonstration will be held from 1 - 2 p.m. and a martial arts demonstration will follow from 2:30 - 5 p.m. Both are free and will take place at the JACCC.

Also on Sunday August 19, is the Grand Parade starting at 6 p.m. This year's parade will be extra spectacular with a traditional Nebuta float from Japan that measures 24 ft. (L) x 30 ft. (W) x 17 ft. (H) made out of wood, special colored paper and hundreds of lights. Additionally, hundreds of lively dancers dressed in customary costume, taiko drummers and pipers will accompany Nebuta along the parade route.

Anime has become extremely popular over the years, and Nisei Week is excited to host its annual Anime Festival on August 25-26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Little Tokyo Shopping Center. For enthusiasts, the two-day event celebrates anime with vendors, exhibits and more.

On August 25 from 2 - 6 p.m., come to the free "New Generation Remix" a mix of taiko, music, and dance entertainment on the JACCC Plaza. Also free and at the JACCC, the popular Taiko Gathering will be held on Sunday, August 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring some of Southern California's best taiko performance groups. Returning to Weller Court, a traditional-style Japanese Matsuri sponsored by the Japanese Student Network with food, booths, games and music will be held on August 25-26.

To close another year of Nisei Week, the Ondo street dancing will be held on Sunday at 4 p.m. The free event is fun and the public is encouraged to join in the Japanese street dancing.

Nisei Week activities will be held in various locations throughout Little Tokyo, including Weller Court at 123 S. Onizuka Street (2nd and San Pedro streets), the Japanese American Community & Cultural Center (JACCC) at 244 S. San Pedro Street, and the Little Tokyo Shopping Center at 333 S. Alameda Street.

Both weekends will feature live entertainment, food and fun for the entire family. So come enjoy and share the experience of this annual Japanese American cultural even and tradition. For further information go to the Nisei Week website at www.NiseiWeek.org or call the Nisei Week Foundation office at 213-687-7193.

The Nisei Week Festival, the longest running ethnic festival in the U.S., has been attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year since its inception in 1934 (except during WWII from 1942 - 1948) to Little Tokyo to enjoy a Japanese American arts and cultural experience and this year Nisei Week organizers - who are all volunteers - hope to draw even more to the community.

The 2007 Nisei Week Japanese Festival takes place in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo District from August 18-26. For calendar of events and volunteer information on the 67th Nisei Week Festival, call the Nisei Week Foundation office at 213/687-7193. The office is located at 244 S. San Pedro Street, Suite 303, Los Angeles, Calif., 90012.

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