Origami. Soba. Haiku. Sushi.
If you want to sample Japanese culture, you should check out the 3rd annual Japan Festival at the Encinitas Library from 1-4 p.m. this Saturday.
The event celebrates Encinitas’ sister city status with Amakusa City, Japan, and highlights Japanese culture and traditions. Last year more than 600 people attended.
Festival goers will be treated to several musical and dance performances. The “MiNyO gIrLz” showcase traditional Japanese folk music and celebration songs while members of “San Diego Taiko” from the World Beat Center in Balboa Park will stage a Japanese drumming session.
Los Angeles-based performance artist Miyuki Matsunaga will perform her “Geta Dance” – a new style of contemporary Japanese entertainment that she created. “Geta Dance” blends elements of Japanese traditional dance, modern dance and the words of Japanese poetry with acting techniques to make a dance style that produces show-stopping theater performances.
The owners of popular downtown Encinitas restaurant Ogata Japanese Cuisine will be offering samples of menu items including sushi, soba and edamame.
After you’ve satisfied your hunger, you can also try your hand at the Japanese traditional paper craft origami or you could try writing haiku.
Books, movies and music related to Japan will also be available for checkout from the library.
The festival is free, thanks to the support of the Friends of the Encinitas Library. The library is located at 540 Cornish Drive. For more information, please call 760-753-7376.
