Welcoming 2018, Okinawa Style

Ring in the Year of the Dog with Uchinaanchu (Okinawan) spirit! The Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will be hosting their annual New Year’s Party on Sunday, January 21st. Held at the beautiful Quiet Cannon banquet hall in Montebello Golf Course, this event is one of the OAA’s largest with over 600 attendees. Registration is required (deadline: January 15th to guarantee a ticket at current pricing).

The $45 ticket includes a filet mignon entrée (vegetarian option available for $40). To encourage more families to attend, there is a discount for students ($30 for ages 11-18; student I.D. required) and a children’s meal ($20 for ages 3-10).

The entertainment program will feature traditional Ryūkyūan music and dance (Majikina Honryu Aigen no Kai and Tamagusuku Ryu Kansenkai), Ryūkyūkoku Matsuri Daiko L.A. Branch, karate demonstrations, and karaoke. This year’s special guests are the VoiceLab Choir, Yuna & Tida (Okinawan folk music duo), and a young dance troupe performing “Dynamic Ryūkyū,” an energetic number that blends traditional elements with modern flare.

Support the OAA by purchasing $2 raffle tickets and try your luck at winning the grand prize: a Kangen Water ionization machine generously donated by Enagic USA, Inc. Other great prizes include round trip airfare to Tokyo donated by Uyehara Travel, $200 travel vouchers donated by IACE Travel, a 43” LG Smart TV donated by the Awakuni Family, and more. Winners do not need to be be present. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the OAA office.

The event will also include a silent auction, a year in review photo slideshow, and community dancing and singing to close out the day.

For more information or to register for the event, please contact the OAA at 310-532-1929 or oaamensore@gmail.com. Registration is required by January 15th (additional $10/person after deadline, if space allows) and seating is assigned on a “first come, first served” basis.