Saturday, August 25 from 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Seattle’s historic
Nihonmachi comes alive with festivities only an
Asian-style neighborhood can claim with the return of
“Hai, Japantown!”
Long-time locals, Seattle newbies, area residents and visitors alike
are invited to take part in discovering this vital, re-surging community
during a
summer celebration for the entire family. Experience an
historic heritage walk, the dedication of Nihonmachi Alley art, Hawaiian
music, a beer and sake garden,
Spam musubi making contest, nashi
(Japanese pear) picking and more. For updates, visit FB:
https://www.facebook.com/events/970642499782932/?active_tab=about
Here’s the Hai! Japantown Line Up:
Momo Semi-Annual Good Fortune Sale
11:00 am – 7:00 pm
604 S Main St
It’s
the fame-ish sale everyone waits for, where YOU get to determine your
discount. Here’s how it works: select a sale clothing or accessory item
you love from our men or women’s section, then pick a crunchy cookie
stuffed with fortunes and receive an additional 10% - 30% off. Confucius
say, “Smart shopper pick wisely.”
Bonfire Gallery “I Saw the Face of Hecate”
Noon – 5:00 pm
605 S Main St
A
solo show of local artist Juli Adams paintings and sculpture inspired
by a lifelong curiosity about darkness as an expression of
self-knowledge and empowerment. Not to be missed!
DaDaDa Gallery Archival Sale
Noon – 6:00 pm
513 S Main St
Clothing, bags, accessories 40-80% off.
KOBO Mako & Mujuri Okinawa Ensemble
3:00 – 4:00 pm
602 S Jackson St
Wearing
beautifully tailored kimonos, Mako & Munjuru spread Okinawan music
through playing traditional instruments, the sanshin and taiko. These
songs not only preserve the sound of Okinawan music, they also share
stories of love, family and heritage. According to Mako, playing the
music of her ancestors helps her feel a connection to her roots and the
people who have come before her.
Amy Nikaitani Nihonmachi Alley Mural Dedication
3:30 pm
Between 6th Ave S and Maynard Ave S on S Jackson St north side
This
ceremony will honor local Japanese American artist Amy Nikaitani with
the unveiling of her murals featuring landmark businesses that
undauntedly continued upon the families returning from WWII
incarceration: Kokusai Theatre, Maneki Restaurant, Sagamiya
Confectionery and Uwajimaya Grocers.
Japanese American Remembrance Trail Tour - SOLD OUT
4:00 pm
Starts in Chiyo’s Garden on S Jackson St between Maynard Ave S and 6th Ave S
The
Wing Luke Museum in partnership with the National Park Service hosts an
educational urban hike through the original Japantown, starting at
Nihonmachi Alley and Chiyo’s Garden; 60-90 minutes. Comfortable walking
shoes are advised. Space is limited, register online. For more
information, visit
wingluke.org/calendar.
Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee Presents the Jay Thomas Quartet
4:00 pm
605 S Main St
Seattle-ites
may not realize that Jackson Street was once home to many jazz and
blues clubs. The music returns to the Panama — deemed the 60th National
Historic Landmark in 2015, and the setting for the novel, Hotel on the
Corner of Bitter and Sweet — witha visit from native son Jay Thomas, who
played at The Black & Tan and other ’60s era area nightclubs. The
music of Thomas, a versatile multi-instrumentalist (trumpet, flugelhorn,
alto, tenor, soprano and flute) is earthy and lyrical with evidence of
his deep roots in blues and swing.
Momo Fun-for-All Face & Body Painting3:00 – 5:00 pm
600 S Jackson St
Put
on the party with glitter painting by budding temporary tattoo talent,
Nagisa! The affordable artistry is $5 - $10, depending on what you
fancy.
KOBO Kid’s Corner: Japantown Style
Yo-Yo Water Balloon Fishing Game, Veggie Printmaking and Origami Magic
3:00 – 5:00 pm
604 S Jackson St
Join
local artists Etsuko Ichikawa and Sayuri Fukuda in Yo-Yo Fishing, a
favorite summer fest game where you fish for floating balloons with a
paper string. There will be prizes! Try your hand at Veggie Printmaking
with Susan. Make your own colorful art using lotus root, daikon, ginger
and more to imprint unique designs on cloth. Learn origami with master
folder, Sakiko!
Japanese Cultural Community Center of Washington Activity Time
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Storytelling at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 pm
Nihonmachi Alley on S Jackson St between Maynard Ave S and 6th Ave S
Family
fun presented by the JCCCW with
coloring and storytelling. Experience Kamishibai, a form of Japanese
street theater, popular during post-war Japan until the advent of TV.
Live Music from Mai Pu’uwai Makana
5:30 pm
Chiyo’s Garden in alley on S Jackson St between Maynard Ave S and 6th Ave S
Kana
means “Sharing the Breath of Hawaiian Music,” and that's just what this
trio brings: “feel good Island music” Hawaiian/Island Reggae to the
party.
Momo Spam-O-Rama Musubi Contest
6:00 pm
Chiyo’s Garden in alley on S Jackson St between Maynard Ave S and 6th Ave S
Spam
fans are invited to participate or spectate during the revival of the
fame-ish Spam musubi competition. Contestants create their versions of
Hawaii’s favorite Spam sushi and are judged on presentation, taste and
originality. Interested entrants can email lala@momoseattle.com or call
206.329.4736 by August 22 for details.
Chill in Chiyo’s Garden Party
3:00 – 7:00 pm
In alley on S Jackson St between Maynard Ave S and 6th Ave S
Kaname
presents an al fresco summer 21+ lounge with DJ Maile Lono (aka DJ Maui
NKO) from KBCS, live Jawaiian music (Mai Pu’uwai Makana), light bites,
beer and sake. Artist Erin Shigaki gathers your wishes on traditional
ema to help create a future public art installation in Occidental
Square. It’s also nashi (Japanese pear) season, and revelers are invited
to pick the fruit and eat it right from the tree. A pot of nashi-sauce
will be cooking on the open-air patio.
KOBO Wear Your Summer Yukata!
3:00 – 7:00 pm
602 S Jackson St
Come down and wear your favorite Yukata and Obi and celebrate
Hai! Japantown. We’ll have helpers standing by to help dress you at KOBO at Higo.
Trichome’s “High! Japantown!”
3:00 – 7:00 pm
618 S Jackson St
The legalized lifestyle boutique mixes up CBD drinks with music to sip by in this 21+ event.
KOBO and Artists for Japan Hiroshima Flood Relief
3:00 – 7:00 pm
602 S Jackson St
This
grassroots group will be accepting donations to be sent to a NPO in
Hiroshima (to be confirmed), one of the areas severely damaged by the
torrential rainfall, worst flood in decades in early July. Any amount is
welcome and appreciated.
Movies in the Park in Hing Hay Park
Entertainment and the Screening of “Allegiance, the Musical”
7:20 pm – 10:30 pm
S King St and Maynard Ave S
Taiko
drummers rally the neighborhood, followed by local poet Troy Osaki, and
live music from Anime Creek and ukulele artist Arden Fujiwara. The film
will start at dusk (approximately 8:30 pm). For more info check out
https://www.facebook.com/events/200745964112156/?ti=cl
