Presented by The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York (JFDINY), FUN FEST JAPAN celebrates Japan and New York with an all-day Japanese cultural festival, featuring traditional performing arts and cultural activities for the entire family. Head to Corlears Hook Park in the Lower East Side to enjoy performances by JFDINY’s own Minbuza (Japanese Folk Dance), Samurai Sword Soul (Traditional Sword Fighting), and Taiko Masala (Taiko Drumming). In the activities area, experienced teachers will lead children in a variety of engaging Japanese arts and crafts such as origami, calligraphy, kendama, and kimono dressing. The finale of the day will be the Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese summer event where everyone joins in and dances together!

For more information about FUN FEST JAPAN and The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York, please visit their website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

FUN FEST JAPAN is made possible in part with funds from Creative Engagement, a regrant program supported by The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Private support is provided by City Parks Foundation and Partnerships for Parks through the NYC Green Fund.

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Susan McCormac 8/14/24 Susan McCormac 8/14/24

JETAANY TO HOLD “FOLDRAISER” FOR SEATTLE’S PEACE PARK

JETAANY Craft Night: Origami Crane “Foldraiser”

Thursday, August 15 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Bryant Park

Admission: Free

You may know Sadako Sasaki as the young victim of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima whose story was immortalized in the children's novel Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. Recently, a statue of Sadako was stolen from Seattle's Peace Park. Several groups have launched a campaign to raise funds to replace the statue and are also encouraging others to host "foldraisers" to supply strings of paper cranes to decorate the park until a new statue can be installed.

Fold these beautiful symbols of peace with the JET Alumni Association of New York and reflect on Sadako's moving story.

This event is FREE, and registration is not required. Origami paper will be supplied, but you are welcome to bring your own (approximately 6x6 in).

Follow JETAANY’s Facebook event page for exact location and updates.

To learn more about Sadako’s story, purchase Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes from Bookshop.org and support your local bookstore.

Disclosure: The author serves on the board of the Japanese American Association of New York.

Susan McCormac 10/3/23 Susan McCormac 10/3/23

EXPERIENTIAL PERFORMANCE FROM SALON SéANCE

The End of Time

Wednesday, October 4 and Thursday, October 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Blue Gallery – 222 E. 46th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)

Admission: $79 VIP | $49 General | $25 Students (use code STUDENT25 with valid .edu email)

What do you turn to in moments of darkness? For composer Olivier Messiaen, he turned to composing Quartet for The End of Time, which he wrote while in a German prison camp during World War II. Salon Séance invites you to a reflective experience, channeling stories of hope. Immerse yourself in the story through live music and your very own origami crane.

About the Production

Through Messiaen’s music, storytelling, and origami cranes, The End of Time channels the spirits of four prisoners who transformed the end into a new beginning. This production will deliver the prisoners’ messages and guide the audience to them through the music they created together.

Performers

Nile Assata Harris – Actor
Yoonah Kim – Clarinet
Sahun Sam Hong – Piano
Mari Lee – Violin
Mihai Marica – Cello
Created by Mari Lee
Directed by Jay Stull
Sound Design by John Gasper
Lighting Design by Guillermo Laporta
Research by Simon Angseop Lee

Schedule

7:00 p.m. Arrival and origami workshop
7:30 p.m. Performance
9:00 p.m. Reception

Please click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

VIP Experience

Exclusive pre-performance talk and Q&A with historian Simon Angseop Lee for further insight into the musical work (Please arrive promptly for the best experience)
Group origami workshop with Lee
Complimentary pre-performance drink
Premium seating
Admission to post-performance reception

General and Student Admission

Pre-performance group origami workshop with an instructor
General admission seating
Admission to post-performance reception

About Salon Séance

Salon Séance creates experiential concerts based on the idea that performing is an act of channeling. Born in Kyoto, CEO and Artistic Director Mari Lee cultivates a tight community of pre-professionals and professionals to create experiences inspired by Japanese traditional ceremonies and rituals. Through experiential performances combining classical music, live storytelling, and interactive ritual, Salon Séance invites each audience member into a sacred space of reflection and belonging. For more information, please visit their website.

ALL-DAY JAPANESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL

FUN FEST JAPAN