The Experience, Alameda: Rhythmix Cultural Works Japantown ArtWalk

The Experience:

Performing Arts Celebrate Alameda’s Lost Japantown

Friday, September 17^th 5-8pm

The Island City Waterways® Japantown Art Walk honors Alameda’s Japanese American community with traditional Japanese folk arts, contemporary dance, traditional taiko and world music in Alameda’s historic Japantown district lost lost during WWII. Each performance reflects a different aspect of Alameda’s Japanese American community in conjunction with the City of Alameda’s Tonarigumi historic marker project.

Start: Alameda Free Library – 1550 Oak St, 5-5:30pm Introduction & Welcome

ODC/Dance– San Francisco’s premier contemporary dance company – presents May’s Letters, an original work by ODC choreographer Kimi Okada, with Brenda Way, inspired by letters written by her mother while in Tule Lake internment camp.

Buddhist Temple of Alameda – 2325 Pacific Ave, 6-6:45pm

Ensohza Minyoshu presents traditional Japanese folk dance and music evoking the festival spirit and character of Japan’s diverse rural communities.
PJ Hirabayashi, taiko artist & founder of TaikoPeace, invites the community to participate in “Ei Ja Nai Ka,” a dance, rhythm, song, and chant in celebration, gratitude and commemoration of our immigrant ancestors.
Jane Suiei Naito will create a contemporary art installation using a traditional form of ikebana (flower arranging).

Buena Vista United Methodist Church – 2311 Buena Vista Ave, 7-7:45pm

Maze Daiko performs original music that combines taiko with world rhythms and melodies creating a unique sound that is influenced by the cultural diversity of the Bay Area.

About the Japantown ArtWalk

The Japantown Art Walk is part of the Island City Waterways project that celebrates Alameda’s rich cultural past and present. The Japantown Art Walk is a collaboration between Rhythmix Cultural Works, the Buddhist Temple of Alameda, Buena Vista United Methodist Church, the City of Alameda Free Library and Economic Development and Community Services Department.

Rhythmix Island City Waterways Japantown Art Walk is presented in conjunction with Tonarigumi – Alameda’s Historic Japantown Neighborhood, a partnership between the City of Alameda, Buena Vista United Methodist Church and The Buddhist Temple of Alameda to raise awareness and reclaim the memories of the past, to remember the Issei elders and all they endured, and to be uplifted by the strength and resilience of a community. Four markers are being created to share a forgotten history of Alameda’s Japantown and impart a lesson from the past, to embrace diversity and advocate civil liberties for all people.

Rhythmix Cultural Arts is a cultural arts destination in Alameda for theater, art, classes, live music & performances. Rhythmix brings the world to you. 510-865-5060

Photo/COurtesy of Ensohza Minyoshu