The 54^th Annual Ginza Festival

In Historic Old Town Chicago
August 7th, 8th, 9th 2009 (always the second weekend in August)

Friday, August 7th, 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday, August 8th, 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Sunday, August 9th, 11:30 am – 6:00 pm

CBS Channel 2 Chicago Friday August 7 11:00 am televised taiko segment

The 54^th Annual Ginza Holiday, a large Japanese cultural festival, will be presented by the Midwest Buddhist Temple on August 7th, 8th, and 9th at 435 W. Menomonee Street in Chicago’s historic Old Town.

Flown in from Toyko for this event, four master craftsmen (Waza) will demonstrate their generations-old skills creating their unique crafts. The public will have the opportunity to meet the Waza and purchase their crafts. The Waza create collectible pieces that often fetch many times their purchase price in the after market. Several other exhibits and booths will be filled with Japanese dry goods and snacks, children's toys, kimonos, jewelry, anime and origami folding.

An abundance of traditional Japanese cuisine will be offered, including the famous open pit, charcoal 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). Premium Japanese beer, Sapporo, will also be available for purchase.

Featured in the festival will be ongoing stage performances with the entertaining taiko drumming by Twin Cities Kogen Taiko Group and the Midwest Buddhist Temple Taiko group, the Midwest Buddhist Temple Minyo Troupe, Fujima Shunojo Classical Dance Troupe, martial arts demonstrations, and the Na Kupuna Ukulele group.

Self defense tactics will be demonstrated by Aikido, Judo and Karate schools, while Kendo (Japanese fencing) will entertain the crowd.

Inside the temple, the exhibit hall will be filled with demonstrations and exhibits of bonsai, ikebana (flower arranging), kaminingyo (paper dolls), calligraphy, brush painting, silk flowers, and Japanese arts and crafts. Many of the products will be offered for sale.

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, Reverend Bryan Siebuhr, Midwest Buddhist Temple resident minister, will deliver short dharma talks.

NEW THIS YEAR

Ginza expands into Saturday evening with Yoko Noge and the Jazz Me Blues Band. Yoko’s music can be described as a combination of Japanese ''Minyo'' folk music with “Chicago blues.” Performed with electric piano, shamisen, horn section, and Yoko’s sweet and growly blues vocals, the Jazz Me Blues Band will warm the August night at their first appearance at Ginza. Yoko will perform at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday evening.

A benefit donation of $4 for adults, and $3 for students and senior citizens will be collected at the gate. Children under 12 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

The hours are: Friday, August 7, 5:30 pm-9:00pm; Saturday, August 8, 11:30 am-9:30 pm; Sunday, August 9, 11:30 am – 6:00 pm.

For information, call 312-943-7801