Mochitsuki 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
"Mochi Do About Nothing" Performances at 1:00 PM and 3:15 PM
in the Performing Arts Center
Cultural Fair with hands-on activities from Noon to 4:00 PM in the College Center

Celebrate Mochitsuki 2007, the Japanese American New Year celebration, on Sunday, January 28th, at the Portland Community College Sylvania campus. "Mochi Do About Nothing," a stage show featuring taiko, storytelling and Japanese dance, will be presented in the Performing Arts Center at 1 PM and 3:15 PM. Meanwhile at the Cultural Fair in the nearby College Center, numerous Japanese American community groups will come together to celebrate the Year of the Boar and showcase their culture and traditions from noon to 4 PM.

Lawson Inada, Oregon’s poet laureate, will lend his voice and artistry to "Mochi Do About Nothing" as emcee. Portland Taiko and their youth group, Tanuki Taiko, will bring excitement to the program and Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo will weave his storytelling magic. Fujinami-kai and Sahomi Tachibana’s dance troupe will grace the stage. Show times are 1 PM and 3:15 PM in the Performing Arts Center. Tickets to "Mochi Do About Nothing" are $12 for adults, $9 for students and seniors (62 or older), and $5 for children (12 and under). There is no charge for children under 2. Tickets are also available through BrownPaperTickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

The Cultural Fair, featuring mochi pounding, mochi tasting, ice carving, ikebana, and bonsai and many other activities, runs from noon to 4 PM in the College Center. There is a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children for entrance into the Cultural Fair. A variety of foods and snacks will be offered by some of the community organizations. The Community Stage, a focal point of the Cultural Fair, features storytelling by Alton Chung, martial arts, music, dance from Okinawa, and lively performances by various school and community groups. The Community Stage will be located in the dining room adjacent to the dining center, so you can sit and enjoy the entertainment while you snack.

Food and entertainment always go hand-in hand at these festivals. Many of the Mochitsuki Community Partner organizations at the Cultural Fair will have an activity or food booth or will perform on the Community Stage. New to this year’s Mochitsuki celebration is the delicious Japanese cuisine prepared by the PCC Food Service Department. The cafeteria will open specially for Mochitsuki.

Now in its 11th year, Mochitsuki draws a crowd of over 1200. It is sponsored by Portland Taiko, the Portland Chapter of the Japanese American Citizenship League, Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center and the Multicultural Center at PCC Sylvania, and supported by the Japanese Ancestral Society, the Japan America Society of Portland and the Consulate General of Japan.

Mochitsuki 2007 is sponsored by Portland Taiko, the Portland Chapter of the Japanese American Citizenship League, Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center and the Multicultural Center at PCC Sylvania. Supporters include the Nikkei Jin Kai, the Japan America Society of Oregon and the Consulate General of Japan.

For the latest schedule and information about Mochitsuki, check the webpage at www.oregonnikkei.org/mochitsuki.