58th Annual Ginza Holiday, a Japanese Cultural Festival August 9, 2013

EVENT: 58th Annual Ginza Holiday, a Japanese cultural festival
LOCATION: Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 West Menomonee Street, Chicago, IL 60614
DATES: August 9-11, 2013
HOURS: Friday, Aug. 9, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM; Saturday, Aug. 10, 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM,
Sunday, Aug. 11, 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM

The 58th Annual Ginza Holiday, a large Japanese cultural festival, will be presented by the Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT) on Aug. 9, 10 and 11 at 435 W. Menomonee Street in Chicago’s historic Old Town.

Flown in from Tokyo for this event, four master craftsmen (Waza) will demonstrate their generations-old skills creating unique crafts. The public will have the opportunity to meet the Waza and purchase their crafts. Several other exhibits and booths will be filled with Japanese dry goods, snacks, kimonos and jewelry.

An abundance of traditional Japanese cuisine will be offered, including the famous grilled Chicken Teriyaki dinner, udon (Japanese cold noodles), sushi, edamame and grilled corn on the cob. For dessert try the kintoki (Japanese snow cone topped with sweet azuki beans). Japanese beer will also be available.

Featured in the festival will be ongoing stage performances with the energetic taiko drumming by Ho Etsu Taiko, Twin Cities Kogen Taiko Group and MBT Taiko, the MBT Minyo Troupe, Fujima Shunojo Classical Dance Troupe, martial arts demonstrations, and The Na Kupuna Ukulele group. Aikido and Judo schools will demonstrate self-defense tactics, while Kendo (Japanese fencing) will entertain the crowd.

Ginza expands into Saturday evening with Yoko Noge and her band, Japanesque. Yoko’s music can be described as a combination of Japanese ''Minyo'' folk music with “Chicago blues.” Performed with an electric piano, shamisen, horn section, and Yoko’s sweet and growly blues vocals, she will warm the August night with her appearance at Ginza at 8 p.m. on Saturday evening.

The chapel will be open for guests who are interested in observing the place of worship and learning the basics of Buddhism. During stage intermissions, Rev. Ron Miyamura will deliver short Dharma talks.

A benefit donation of $6 for adults, and $5 for students and senior citizens will be collected at the gate. Children under 12 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. On Saturday evening, $10 will be charged after 7:00 for the Yoko Noge concert.

For more information, please visit us online at http://www.ginzachicago.com or contact The Midwest Buddhist Temple at 312-943-7801 or Joy Zavala, Ginza Publicity Chairperson, at info@ginzachicago.com.

Official Website: http://www.ginzachicago.com