BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//PYVOBJECT//NONSGML Version 1//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:events.uid.5567@www.discovernikkei.org DTSTART:20180519T000000Z DTEND:20180519T000000Z DESCRIPTION:The <strong>Okinawa Association of America (OAA)</strong> in Ga rdena will host a cultural lecture and traditional music performance on Sa turday\, May 19 at 1:00 p.m. The event will be led by two <strong>dynamic guest speakers/musicians from Hawai&lsquo\;i\, Eric Wada and Norman Kanesh iro.\n</strong>\n<strong></strong><strong>Titled "Bringing Okinawa Home\," the goal of this event is to promote a deeper appreciation of Okinawa. Wa da and Kaneshiro will explore Okinawan identity and values through the tra ditional customs\, native languages\, and music. For attendees who are of Okinawan descent\, the aim is to consider ways to embrace cultural heritag e in daily life so that it can be passed to the next generation.</strong>\ n\nWada&rsquo\;s lecture will examine the annual customs that are observed in Okinawa. These include Shiimii and Obon\, two family gatherings that t ake place at the family tomb <em>(ohaka)</em> and ancestral home <em>(muut uya)</em>\, respectively. His presentation will include explanations of ea ch tradition\, the Lunar calendar dates of observation\, and ways to norma lize them.\n\nKaneshiro&rsquo\;s performance will be a mix of traditional Ryūkyūan songs and storytelling. Titled &ldquo\;<em>Mimi-gusui:</em> Lif e Sustenance Through the Ears\,&rdquo\; the performance will emphasize Oki nawan values and language\, and how the ancestors used music to teach thes e things to the following generations. Kaneshiro will be playing the sansh in\, a traditional 3-stringed lute that is recognized for its snakeskin co vering and rustic sound.\n\n&ldquo\;Wada and Kaneshiro are fantastic lectu rers who are not only knowledgeable on a vast range of Okinawan topics\, b ut they also inspire audiences to dig deeper and learn more\,&rdquo\; even t chairperson Joseph Kamiya remarked. &ldquo\;And as musicians\, they cont extualize the traditional songs in a way that helps you to really connect with the music\, even if you don&rsquo\;t understand the language.&rdquo\; \n\nWada and Kaneshiro are Hawai&lsquo\;i-born\, fourth-generation Okinawa ns and have studied extensively in Okinawa. They organize yearly lectures\ , classes\, performances\, and Okinawa study tours through their Hawai&lsq uo\;i-based non-profit organization\, <strong>Ukwanshin Kabudan</strong>. In 2015\, they founded the annual <strong><em>LooChoo</em> (Ryūkyū) Iden tity Summit</strong>\, a three-day conference focusing on language revital ization and sustaining cultural heritage. They were panelists for a Ryūky ūan languages symposium at the 2016 Worldwide Uchinaanchu Festival/Taikai in Okinawa and will be featured in an upcoming documentary on the same to pic.\n\nThe presentations will be in English. Explanations and subtitles w ill be provided for the traditional songs. <strong>Due to limited space an d parking\, please register by May 18 to guaranteed a seat.</strong> Admis sion is free for children (ages 10 and under)\, $5 for middle/high school students (I.D. required at event check-in)\, $7 for adult OAA members\, an d $12 for the general public. <strong><a href="https://www.brownpaperticke ts.com/event/3347623" target="_blank">Register online</a> or through the O AA office (weekdays\, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.\; oaamensore@gmail.com\, 310-532-19 29).</strong>\n\nThe OAA is located at 16500 South Western Avenue in Garde na (the event will take place in the Yamauchi Building). The OAA is a 501( c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving and promotin g Okinawan culture. They host numerous events throughout the year includin g cultural lectures\, performances\, social gatherings\, and senior-focuse d activities. DTSTAMP:20240419T180632Z SUMMARY:Bringing Okinawa Home: Cultural Lecture and Performance (Guests fro m Hawai‘i) URL:/en/events/2018/05/19/bringing-okinawa-home-cultural-lecture-and-perfor / END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR