JapanFest 2010 to be held September 18-19
JapanFest, one of the largest Japanese festivals in the country, is an annual celebration of Japanese culture. JapanFest will feature taiko drum concerts and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, cultural workshops including tea ceremony, kimono, and calligraphy, children's games, Japanese food and beer garden, bonsai trees, and contemporary and traditional music.
- Atlanta, GA (1888PressRelease) August 12, 2010 - apanFest Weekend will be held on September 18-19, 2010, from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday) at the Convention Center at Gwinnett Center (located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097).
JapanFest, now in its 24th year, is the largest Japanese festival east of Houston and south of Washington, DC, and typically draws crowds exceeding 18,000. Organized by The Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, and the Consulate General of Japan, JapanFest is designed to promote understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast.
Tickets are $8. Children age 6 or younger free. Teachers can bring their students to JapanFest for free by applying online at www.japanfest.org. Larger organizations can save money by purchasing advanced ticket packages at www.japanfest.org.
The theme of this year's festival is Diverse Japan. The festival will explore the unique aspects of the various regions of the Japanese archipelago. Despite its small size, the eight regions and 47 prefectures of Japan are known for their unique cultures, dialects, art forms, and foods, which will be highlighted at this year's festival. We have two headlining performances. The first is The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York Inc., which will present a medley of dances from all over Japan, including Iyo Manzai, the five fan dance from Ehime Prefecture, Yagi Bushi, an umbrella dance from Tochigi and Gunma Prefectures, Hanagasa Odori, a flower hat dance from Yamagata Prefecture, and Eisa, a summer festival dance from Okinawa, as well as favorites such as the Shishi Mai (Lion Dance) and Sakura (Cherry Blossoms). Mr. Bunbun, who is joining us all the way from Atlanta's sister city, Fukuoka, Japan, will present his one-man show kids and adults alike are sure to love. Princess Sarah of the planet Cosmos has come down to Earth to search for a strong man who can save her son, who has been swept away by an evil circus troupe. Oh no, the Earth is in danger of exploding! Never fear, Aishu Kamen is here! Can his crazy methods save the prince?? Find out at JapanFest!!
Additionally, JapanFest 2010 will feature a variety of musical performances sure to suit all ages and interests, including taiko drumming by Matsuriza, Okinawa Kenjin-kai Atlanta Eisa Taiko Group, and Harappa Taiko and Kazenoko Matsuri Taiko, J-Rock and J-Pop by Fujiyama Roll, J-Rock and heavy metal fusion by Quaff, classical piano by Pumpkin Club Piano Academy, violin by North Georgia Suzuki Strings, and vocals by Cosmos & Euphony Japanese Women's Chorus Groups and The SWISS Trilingual School.
Dance performances will include classical and modern Japanese dance by Hiko no Kai, International Mai no Kai, Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York, Kozakura Kai, Nishizaki Suiga no Kai, Para˛Mahou, Pegasus International Education Center, Sho no Ryu, and Winters Chapel Kindergarten and Daycare Center. All are invited to join in the spirited Bon dance!
NASCAR racer Akinori Ogata will be back again this year to sign autographs and show off his car. Contributions that he received at his booth at JapanFest last year were donated to Save the Children Japan. Thanks to all for their support!
For visitors who have always wanted to try on an authentic Japanese kimono, the Konnichiwa Club will dress attendees from head to toe in the latest kimono from Japan.
JapanFest will also feature a variety of exciting workshops where visitors can learn about the intricacies of kimono, arrange flowers Japanese-style, find out the best Japan travel information available, learn some phrases in the Japanese language, write haiku, and appreciate sake.
For fans of martial arts, JapanFest 2010 will feature demonstrations of virtually every Japanese martial art in existence, including aikido, karate, kendo, kyudo, and sumo. Demonstrators include Aikido Center of Atlanta, Atlanta Bujinkan Dojo, Atlanta Katori, Atlanta Kendo Kai, Georgia Japanese Language School Kendo Club, Georgia Kyudo Renmei, Georgia Sumo Association, IOGKF Georgia USA - Tenchi Family Karate, Japanese Swordsmanship of Gwinnett, Peachtree Aikikai Atlanta LLC, Shotokan Karatedo Yajima Dojo, The Kyudo Alliance, U.S. Taido Association, and World Oyama Karate - Takahashi Dojo.
Visitors can purchase an amazing array of Japanese goods, including books, kimono, Japanese tea, dolls, and rice paper. The Japan-America Society of Georgia will have t-shirts and temporary tattoos; the Ginza-dori, organized by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and named after Tokyo's famous shopping district, will feature Japanese ceramics, traditional Japanese clothing and accessories and fun items such as masks and toys; at the Bazaar on Sunday organized by the Georgia Japanese Language School you will find books and household goods. Atlanta Okinawa Kenjin Kai will sell traditional Okinawan items.
Kids will have a fantastic time experiencing Japanese culture firsthand. In our Children's Area, they can make their own Japanese sandal trinket boxes, and the Suburban Atlanta Kite Enthusiasts will be on hand to teach them how to make a Japanese kite. The Ginza Dori shopping arcade has tons of games and activities for kids as well, such as ring toss, water yo-yos, Japanese toys, and more! They can even take part in carrying the o-mikoshi, a traditional Japanese portable shrine.
Many of the approximately 350 Japanese companies based in Georgia will display their products in the Made in Georgia exhibition. Interactive exhibits include the latest in Japanese technology, such as automobiles, tractors, and electronics. 2010 participants include Elesys North America Inc., Hoshizaki America, Inc., JOHO Systems, LLC, Kubota, Murata Electronics, Nihon Clinic Atlanta, P&F USA, Inc.
Seigakuin Atlanta International School, TSG U.S.A., INC., Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America, and Yanmar America Corp.
JapanFest features the best of Japanese cuisine in Atlanta! Local Japanese restaurants, including Joli Kobe, Kotobuki Cafe, Shoya Izakaya, Suno Dessert, Sushi Niko Niko, Sushi Yoko, Taka Sushi Café, Tomato Japanese Grocery Store, Umaido and Waraku Japanese Restaurant will offer a tantalizing menu of roll sushi, bento boxes, ramen noodles, takoyaki, shaved ice, curry rice, yakisoba, torikaraage, and more!
2010 sponsors include Delta Air Lines, AFLAC, The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Lottery, Sapporo USA, Georgia Power Community and Economic Development, TOTO, Toppan Interamerica Inc., Elesys North America Inc., Honda Precision Parts of Georgia, Toyo Tire North America, Inc., Nippon Life Benefits.
JapanFest is not possible without the help of over 100 volunteers. To fill out an application, please visit www.japanfest.org.
No pets other than guide dogs are allowed inside the convention center. For more information, call 404-842-0736 or visit www.japanfest.org.
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