Experience Anime-Inspired Cuisine
Anime Food Festival
Friday, October 25 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
26 Bridge – 26 Bridge Street, Brooklyn
Admission: $25 VIP (1:00 p.m. entry) | $20 General Admission
Upstairs NYC hosts a one-of-a-kind event featuring anime-inspired cuisine and the best of Japanese pop culture.
Highlights
Mouthwatering, anime-inspired Japanese and Asian food menu (price range: $5 to $15)
Special shochu and sake menu as well as special cocktails
Opportunity to meet three anime voice actors
Popular anime goods vendors and artists
Amazing Japanese taiko drum performance by Cobu
Free manga workshop
Photo booth where you and your friends can snap unforgettable memories in your costumes
VIP ticket holders will be entered into a raffle to win an anime goods.
Go in your best cosplay and enjoy! To purchase tickets, please visit Anime Food Festival’s website. Check out @animefoodnyc on Instagram to meet all the vendors.
Special Guests: Voice Actors Emily Cramer, Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld, and Laurie Hymes
Emily Cramer
1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Available to chat and for autographs, photos, and special goods
Emily Cramer is a voice actor and singer whose work can be heard internationally in commercials, animated television shows, movies, video games, dark rides, and audio dramas. Her most notable titles are currently Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS, The Winx Club, Bread Barbershop, Battle Game in 5 Seconds, EDF World Brothers, many Yu-Gi-Oh video games, and Genshin Impact. Before falling in love with voiceover, Cramer performed for many years in Broadway and national touring productions of Shrek the Musical, Mary Poppins, Les Misérables, and School of Rock. To learn more, visit her website.
Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld
1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Available to chat and for autographs, photos, and special goods
Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld is a American actress best known for voicing Bonnie, Nurse Joy, Sophocles (and many others) on Pokémon; Rio Kastle, Riley, Grace and Gloria Tyler (and many others) on Yu-Gi-Oh!; Aina Ardebit in the anime film Promare; Polly Pocket in Polly Pocket; Fraw Bow and LunaMaria Hawke in the Gundam anime universe; and many other notable roles. Please visit Rosenfeld’s website for more information.
Laurie Hymes
1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Laurie Hymes is a voice actor known for voicing Lillie in Pokémon Sun and Moon, nine other characters in Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions, Liz and the Blue Bird, Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V, Regal Academy and Lupin III: The First, Transformers, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, and many more. For more information, please visit her website.
Japanese Traditional Taiko Drum Performance
Based in New York City, Cobu was created as a live rhythm performing arts group in 2000. Cobu’s founder, Yako Miyamoto, is a member of the off-Broadway hit STOMP.
Cobu combines elements of the Japanese traditional taiko drumming with rhythmic tap dancing. The extremely positive impact of the group’s performances has received rave reviews from The New York Times and The Chicago Sun Times and has touched audiences at major festivals in Boston and Chicago. Please visit Cobu’s website to learn more.
About Upstairs NYC
Formed in 2022, Upstairs NYC is a non-profit organization based in New York City dedicated to promoting friendly relations between New York and other countries. The organization focuses on fostering learning and community engagement across four pillars: arts and culture, lifestyle, technology, and food. Upstairs NYC regularly hosts panel discussions, experiential events, cultural celebrations, and socials. Their events also provide a forum for local creators to connect with future collaborators and engage with their audience.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
SAKE DAY CELEBRATION CONTINUES
World Sake Day 2024
Friday, October 4 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
The W Loft Rooftop – 240 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn
Admission: $65 to $80
Sake Lovers, Rejoice!
Get ready to raise your glasses and celebrate the rich traditions of Japanese sake! Upstairs NYC is teaming up with MIKA and Niji as World Sake Day by MIKA returns for its third year, offering an unforgettable sake-tasting experience. Taking place at the W Loft, this event will feature more than 50 premium sake selections from 25+ renowned brands. Immerse yourself in the intricate flavors of Japan’s finest craft sake and discover why this iconic beverage is beloved worldwide.
In addition to the tasting, enjoy a vibrant pop-up market showcasing the unique creations of talented Asian artists. This is more than just a tasting—it’s a sensory journey into the world of sake and Asian craftsmanship.
What Your Admission Includes
Tasting of 15 kinds of sake and sake cocktails
Original sake glass
Free sake and food sampling while supplies last
Explore Asian shop and food marketplace
Event Highlights
Ultimate sake selections: more than 70 premium sakes by 35 breweries, including many award-winners
Matcha sake cocktails by WESAKE X SENBIRD
Special sake cocktails designed by L'Americana and Midnight Blue owner and bartender Takuma Watanabe (from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.)
Offerings from Kochi and Ishikawa Prefectures
Mouthwatering sushi and Japanese cuisine delights
Asian Artisan Marketplace
Complimentary portrait drawing by UTGP2020 + MoMA contest award-winning artist Hiroshi Masuda
A premier rooftop space with elegant waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline
A dedicated photo booth where you and your crew can snap unforgettable memories
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Upstairs NYC’s website.
CELEBRATE WORLD SAKE DAY AGAIN!
World Sake Day
Friday, October 13 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Union Square – 31 E. 17th Street, 2F (between Broadway and Park Avenue South)
Admission: $35 in advance | $45 at the door
Sake lovers, rejoice! If you didn’t have enough sake on World Sake Day on October 1, you have another chance this Friday! MIKA is holding its third annual World sake Day, collaborating with Upstairs NYC and niji. Explore the world of Japanese craft Sake, discover delicious Japanese foods, support the Asian-own artist market pop-up.
About the Event
MIKA, Upstairs NYC, and niji are turning all 5,000 square feet of a premier, stunning space in front of Union Square into a World Sake Day celebration featuring a walkaround tasting that will give you the full sake cultural experience. Guests can try ten kinds of sake and receive an original sake glass. Additional tasting tickets will be available for purchase. There will also be a mouthwatering Japanese menu ranging in price from $10 to $20. Handcrafted accessories, candles, outfits, crafts, and more by small, Asian-owned businesses will be available for purchase.
To purchase tickets, please visit Upstair NYC’s Eventcreate page.
What Is World Sake Day?
World Sake Day is an annual celebration dedicated to traditional Japanese sake. Sake enthusiasts around the world come together every October 1 to honor the rich history and cultural significance of this beloved beverage, as it is the traditional starting date of sake production in Japan.
Past World Sake Day at MIKA Bushwick
About MIKA
MIKA was a lively event space in Bushwick that closed in June. They hosted artist pop-ups and sourced local products, including Bushwick-based beers, local craft sake, and Finger Lakes wines paired with American and Japanese cuisine. They established a GoFundMe to help support their former employees.
About niji
niji is a marketplace that serves as a bridge connecting Japanese artists with people from around the world. It was born from the desire to expand the reach of Japanese artists globally. They organize Japanese handmade Maker's Market events, where you can meet the artists in person, at various locations throughout New York. The next event is Sunday, October 22.
Their newly opened online platform, called ‘niji,’ lets you find amazing artworks from Japanese artists and Japanese-inspired artists.
About Upstairs NYC
Founded in 2022, Upstairs NYC is a non-profit organization based in New York City dedicated to promoting friendly relations between New York and its diverse culture. The organization focuses on fostering learning and community engagement across four pillars: arts and culture, lifestyle, technology, and food. Upstairs NYC regularly hosts panel discussions, experiential events, cultural celebrations, and socials.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!