Yea, you know… the Tanabata festival. The festival that you had attended the last 7 years (or not).
What, When, and Where
The 8th Annual Tanabata festival sponsored by teh Aratani Foundation goes on from:
- WHAT: “Evening of the Seventh” or “Star Festival”. It originated from the Chinese Qixi festival and it celebrates the meeting of the deities… blah, blah, blah, or in the case of the Tanabata festival in LA, you can see some giant paper hangy things (sasakazuri or kazuri) that look like the machines from the Matrix, and they make for a great Snapchat or Instagram photo opp.
- yes, there’s several Poke stops all over the area.
- Cost, admission is FREE
- WHEN: August 12th (Friday) to August 15th, 2016.
- Friday, August12th, 5 pm – 9:00 pm
- Saturday, August 13th, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Sunday, August 14th, 11:00 am – 5:00pm
- WHERE: It’s right next door to the Japanese American Museum, or you can go to 100 N. Central Ave. and First Street in Los Angeles, CA 90012.
The Entertainment
The huge draw is the paper craft or the sasakazari, but one of the best surprises was the entertainment. They have a ton of acts and personalities on the main stage which include (YouTube links included):
- Michael Paulo – saxophonists
- Local Mojo/The Local Band – band
- Lolita Dark – rock band
- Stephanie Yanez – Jpop performer
- Miyuki
- Yuna + Tida – Okinawan Sanshin
- Kaoru Enjoji – band
- Atomic Project
- Minyo Station – the new contemporary style of Japanese folk music
- Erica Nagashima – model and singer
- Aaron Aoki
- Nancy Hayata – choreographer
- Aaron Takahashi – actor (demo reel)
I know I left a couple out, and if you’re familiar with these individuals or bands, please let me know.
Food and Drink
Yes, they have both Kirin beer and 4 different types of sake for $4 each. The food vendors range from Takoyaki to…well I stuck with beer (they also have free peanuts).
The Tanabata Festival
The Japanese American Museum in the background
the sasakazari
Yup, that’s a Pokemon, Pikachu
Stephanie Yanez
Stephanie Yanez
What a bargain – kinchaku (draw string bags)
that calendar image isn’t blurry by accident. It’s on purpose because that calendar is for sale.
For more information go the Tanabata Los Angeles Website.
