JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 19-20, 2009, from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday) at the Convention Center at Gwinnett Center (located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097). JapanFest, now in its 23rd year, is the largest Japanese festival east of Houston and south of Washington, DC, and typically draws crowds exceeding 18,500. Organized by The Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, and the Consulate General of Japan, JapanFest is designed to promote understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast. Tickets are $8, children age 6 or younger free. Teachers can bring their students to JapanFest for free by applying online at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102655503852&s=5441&e=001Auikzie_27HJ3TYp9diZn5DzLU0w7nqCrbx1tBJuLZ21n8Bg7dq0fXc3wTxNgqA6gcLIZ0NJCYsUkjXjquCLnY1vPa8u693p_moxpC7KYiF3jfEbg-rvNW-w3u4DeKCaheUpkzDAD2Dl890bKIbzaCgZG1CITYon-ZJdRH2-fzDuzYDucPp1EW0YwYaPkIqY.
Larger organizations can save money by purchasing advanced ticket packages at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102655503852&s=5441&e=001Auikzie_27Goa9HmuupZBKSWabJIDs0CZGgfPTqyYHafNEEo1ZYcVtlC_KkA3zZq2jwRaTayM8zmcegXAsSqj4CxayFkzRj_ccZqV2geBcwcIwdSsEYPYSj_NKBTHIFp2yNa_y1JXIe2oEggDvFYIxYa0U2TUqwFT9O5cp_jC0N5jsFyxytJ6_-sxXSeNGtQ!
Cultural Performances and Workshops
Cultural Performances and Workshops
The theme of this year's festival is Cool Japan. "Cool Japan" is a term that describes the growing international interest in Japanese culture, especially in the realms of fashion, anime, music, cuisine, and technology. JapanFest 2009 will explore these aspects of modern Japanese pop culture through a modern kimono fashion show, anime screenings, fun Japanese foods such as shaved ice and plenty of sushi and the latest products manufactured right here in Georgia by Japanese companies!God of Shamisen, the world's first rock band to combine elements of metal, funk, and progressive rock with the Tsugaru-Shamisen, a fretless lute from Northern Japan, will headline JapanFest 2009. Effectively merging the cultures of east and west, this mostly-instrumental outfit is unleashing a unique sound and a worldwide perspective to battle conventional music. Their concert is sponsored by the Japan National Tourism Organization, which will present a seminar filled with useful tips of traveling to Japan! JapanFest 2009 will feature some of the latest in Japanese technology: the therapeutic robot baby seal "Paro"
presented at the Consulate General of Japan's booth. Paro was developed in order to interact with human beings and to make them feel emotional attachment to it. He has a diurnal rhythm of morning, daytime, and night, which means he is active during the daytime, but gets sleepy at night. He has five kinds of sensors: tactile, light, audition, temperature, and posture sensors, with which he can perceive people and its environment. Paro can learn to behave in a way that the user prefers, and to respond to his new name. He is an autonomous robot, so he can express its feelings, such as surprise and happiness, voluntarily by crying, blinking his eyes and moving his head and legs. Paro feels happy when you stroke and hold it softly and feels angry when you hit it. Come experience the phenomenon of Paro at JapanFest 2009!In addition, JapanFest 2009 will feature music performances by Chambers County Taiko, Hiro Sasayama (folk), Lisa Furukawa (folk/pop), Madoca & Company (jazz), Matsuriza (taiko), and Okinawa Kenjinkai Taiko Group. Dance performances include traditional Japanese dance by Hiko no kai, International Mai No Kai, Nishizaki Suiga no Kai, Pegasus Education Center, Sho No Ryu, members of which will travel all the way from Japan for a special performance, and Winters Chapel Kindergarten and Daycare Center and Okinawan dance by Hateruma Nanae Miyagi-ryu Dance School and Ryu Kyu Bana. There will also be modern dance performed by Breakdance Club at Georgia State University, Golden Ribbon Gymnastics, Nebula Dance Theater, Para Para Mahou, and Smyrna School of Ballet. All are invited to join in the spirited Bon dance! If you have always wanted to try on an authentic Japanese kimono, Konnichiwa Club will dress you from head to toe in the latest kimono from Japan. Shimazakura will host a kimono fashion show that will highlight the variety of ways to wear this incredibly beautiful and flexible piece of clothing.
presented at the Consulate General of Japan's booth. Paro was developed in order to interact with human beings and to make them feel emotional attachment to it. He has a diurnal rhythm of morning, daytime, and night, which means he is active during the daytime, but gets sleepy at night. He has five kinds of sensors: tactile, light, audition, temperature, and posture sensors, with which he can perceive people and its environment. Paro can learn to behave in a way that the user prefers, and to respond to his new name. He is an autonomous robot, so he can express its feelings, such as surprise and happiness, voluntarily by crying, blinking his eyes and moving his head and legs. Paro feels happy when you stroke and hold it softly and feels angry when you hit it. Come experience the phenomenon of Paro at JapanFest 2009!In addition, JapanFest 2009 will feature music performances by Chambers County Taiko, Hiro Sasayama (folk), Lisa Furukawa (folk/pop), Madoca & Company (jazz), Matsuriza (taiko), and Okinawa Kenjinkai Taiko Group. Dance performances include traditional Japanese dance by Hiko no kai, International Mai No Kai, Nishizaki Suiga no Kai, Pegasus Education Center, Sho No Ryu, members of which will travel all the way from Japan for a special performance, and Winters Chapel Kindergarten and Daycare Center and Okinawan dance by Hateruma Nanae Miyagi-ryu Dance School and Ryu Kyu Bana. There will also be modern dance performed by Breakdance Club at Georgia State University, Golden Ribbon Gymnastics, Nebula Dance Theater, Para Para Mahou, and Smyrna School of Ballet. All are invited to join in the spirited Bon dance! If you have always wanted to try on an authentic Japanese kimono, Konnichiwa Club will dress you from head to toe in the latest kimono from Japan. Shimazakura will host a kimono fashion show that will highlight the variety of ways to wear this incredibly beautiful and flexible piece of clothing.
Martial Arts
For fans of martial arts, JapanFest 2009 will feature demonstrations of virtually every Japanese martial art in existence. Demonstrators include Aikido Association of Atlanta, Aikido Center of Atlanta, Aikido School of Athens, Atlanta Katori, Georgia Japanese Language School Kendo Club, Georgia Kyudo Renmei, Inc., Georgia Sumo Association, Miki Judo Club, Trammell Fitness and Martial Arts, U.S. Taido, World Oyama Karate Organization, and World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization.
Shopping
Visitors can purchase an amazing array of Japanese goods, including books, kimono, Japanese tea, dolls, and rice paper. The Japan-America Society of Georgia will have t-shirts and temporary tattoos; the Ginza-dori, organized by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and named after Tokyo's famous shopping district, will feature Japanese ceramics, traditional Japanese clothing and accessories and fun items such as masks and toys. At the Bazaar on Sunday, organized by the Georgia Japanese Language School, you will find books and household goods. Atlanta Okinawa Kenjin Kai will sell traditional Okinawan items.
Just for Kids
Kids will have a fantastic time experiencing Japanese culture firsthand. In our Children's Area, they can paint their own Japanese lantern or fan, and the Suburban Atlanta Kite Enthusiasts will be on hand to teach them how to make a Japanese kite. They can get out all their energy jumping on our Hello Kitty moonwalk, before enjoying special Japanese shaved ice, called kakigori. The Ginza Dori shopping arcade has tons of games and activities for kids as well, such as ring toss, water yo-yos, Japanese toys, and more!
Workshops
JapanFest will also feature a variety of exciting workshops, were visitors can learn about the intricacies of kimono, arrange flowers Japanese-style, learn to play the shamisen, find out the best Japan travel information available, learn some phrases in the Japanese language, appreciate sake, and dance para para.
Made in Georgia Exhibit
Many of the Japanese companies based in Georgia will display their products in the Made in Georgia exhibition. 2009 participants include Elesys North America, Inc., Hoshizaki America, Inc., Kubota, Murata Electronics, Seigakuin Atlanta International School, TOTO USA, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing of America, and Yanmar Amric Corporation.
Japanese Food
JapanFest features the best of Japanese cuisine in Atlanta! Shoya Izakaya, Suno, Sushi Niko Niko, Sushi Yoko, Taka Sushi Cafe, Tomato, and Waraku will offer a tantalizing menu of bento lunch boxes, sushi, kakigori (shaved ice), curry rice, rice bowls, udon and somen noodles, oden, yakisoba noodles, and more!
Contact: Jessica Cork
Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
(404) 926-3020mailto:926-3020cork@cgjapanatlanta.org
Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
(404) 926-3020mailto:926-3020cork@cgjapanatlanta.org
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(C)2006-09
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