GARDENA —?Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute, 1964 W. 162ndSt. in Gardena, will hold the 2016 JCI Matsuri Carnival on Saturday, June 25, from12 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, June 26, from 12 to 7 p.m.
New this year will be ondo dancing on Gramercy Place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Organizations and individuals who use the GVJCI facilities throughout the year support the GVJCI by running the game and food booths. The delicious food dishes include udon, somen, chicken and beef teriyaki, yakisoba, Imagawayaki, chili hot dogs and rice, tamales, Spam musubi, lau lau, shaved ice, and Okinawan andagi.
In addition, supporting nurseries and produce businesses generously donate fresh vegetables, fruits, and beautiful plants for the produce market booth.
Outdoor stage entertainment showcases the many classes and programs held at the GVJCI such as line dancing, ukulele, and taiko as well as guest performances such as hula, Japanese dance, youth community bands, and more.
Game booths provide even more entertainment for all with games ranging from basketball to pachinko and much more.
Downstairs in the Main Hall are the martial arts demonstrations and white elephant and craft sale. The martial arts dojos that utilize the GVJCI facilities on a weekly basis provide breathtaking demonstrations, which include judo, kendo, naginata, Shorinji kempo, and Shotokan karate. The white elephant and craft sale has many treasures waiting to be found at bargain prices.
On the second floor of the GVJCI Hall Building is a themed library known as The Bridge: JCI Heritage Center, complete with a tokonoma display decorating the hallway. There are hands-on activities and arts and crafts, and the Japanese Language School display.
Bingo starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with cash prizes. Additionally, there are prize drawings throughout both days of the Matsuri-Carnival with donated prizes from local businesses and individual supporters. Prizes include restaurant meals, jewelry, electronics and movie tickets. Winners need not be present to win.
The GVJCI Office and supporting organizations pre-sell Matsuri-Carnival coupon books. Each book costs $10 and includes 10 individual one dollar scrip that are redeemable at all Matsuri-Carnival booths, as well as stubs that can be turned in for the raffle drawings.
Gold sponsors are King’s Hawaiian and Union Bank.
For more information, contact the GVJCI Office at (310) 324-6611 or visit www.jci-gardena.org.
This year’s schedule:
Saturday, June 25
12 to 12:25 p.m.: Yuujou Daiko
12:30 to 12:45 p.m.: 2016 GVJCI Scholarship awardees
12:50 to 1:10 p.m.: GVJCI Senior Hula-Harriet Nagata
1:15 to 1:35 p.m.: Southern California Kyudo Renmei demonstration
2:05 to 2:15 p.m.: GVJCI Tai Chi-Misako Tsuchida
2:20 to 2:40 p.m.: Halau Ke’ Ala O Na Lei Milo
2:45 to 3:05 p.m.: Shorinji Kempo South Bay demonstration
3:10 to 3:30 p.m.: Southern California Naginata Federation demonstration
3:35 to 3:55 p.m.: GVJCI Kendo demonstration
4 to 7 p.m.: Bingo
6 to 8 p.m.: Ondo dancing
Sunday, June 26
12 to 12:30 p.m.: GVJCI Senior Ukulele-Chika Nagata
12:35 to 1:05 p.m.: Kanani Kalama Hula Studio
1:10 to 1:30 p.m.: Kaizen Dojo demonstration
1:35 to 1:55 p.m.: Gardena Kendo Club demonstration
2 to 2:30 p.m.: Aloha Picking Ohana-Mel Ogata
2:30 to 2:50 p.m.: GVJCI Line Dance-Terri Slemmons and Jean Inouye
3:15 to 3:35 p.m.: American Shotokan Karate of California demonstration
3:40 to 4 p.m.: Gardena Judo Club demonstration
4 to 7 p.m.: Bingo