| 60th Anniversary Celebration In August of 1946, the Chicago Resettlers Committee (the name under which the JASC was originally founded) was established to assist the federal War Relocation Authority in resettling the approximately 20,000 people of Japanese ancestry who had emigrated to Chicago from the war-time internment camps. During the ensuing 60 years, the JASC has continued to provide vital social services as well as cultural programming, and has helped preserve the legacy of Americans of Japanese ancestry. To help honor the past and point the way to the agency's future, we are holding a year of special celebratory events, many in partnership with other non-profit organizations. We hope you will be able to join us in celebration! 60th Anniversary Calendar of Events September 22, 2006 JASC Fuji Festival and Silent Auction Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Boulevard Fuji Festival & Silent Auction is the annual fundraising gala for the JASC, featuring noteworthy entertainment or prominent speakers. The Silent Auction offers a grand array of items including first class restaurants, travel, sporting events, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind or antique Japanese or Asian treasures. October 8, 2006 Fujima Ryu of Chicago's 30th Anniversary Dance Recital 1 p.m., Northside College Preparatory High School, 5501 N. Kedzie, Chicago Adults: $15, Seniors/Students: $10 This year is the 30th anniversary for the Fujima Ryu of Chicago, as well as the showcase performance for Rika Hayashi Lin, who after many devoted years of classical dance study, received her professional name, Fujima Yoshinojo, in Japan from the headmaster of the Fujima School. The recital will be co-sponsored by Asian Improv aRts Midwest, the Japanese American Service Committee, and supported by the Japan America Society of Chicago. Since 1976, Fujima Shunojo sensei has been one of the leading exponents of traditional Japanese Classical Dance in the Midwest, which has roots in Japan's Kabuki theater. Each dancer assumes a role from a story; the dance is the unfolding of that character's story. Fujima Ryu of Chicago, under Fujima Shunojo sensei, has had a major role in increasing awareness of Japanese culture through the medium of dance. In order to continue the legacy of Fujima Ryu of Chicago, Fujima Shunojo sensei has become an artist in residence at the JASC. To purchase tickets to this wonderful cultural event, call 773.275.0097 x226. October 15, 2006 The 11th Annual Asian American Jazz Festival: Roots Here, Roots There – West Coast Meets Midwest 8 p.m., The HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo, Chicago $15 From Oakland, CA, pan-Asian percussion ensemble Asian Crisis featuring Jason Jong – taiko, Art Hirahara – piano, Francis “Kiko” Lacsamana – e. bass and kulintang, John Kim - changgu, Meena Makhijani - tabla, Masaru Koga – woodwinds, and special guests. JASC is a co-sponsor of artist in residence Tatsu Aoki’s Miyumi Project Big Band, which presents an encore performance of Aoki’s re:Rooted, an epic, visionary musical suite that premiered at Chicago’s Millennium Park in July 2006. Musicians for this performance include the JASC Tsukasa Taiko, the organization's resident professional Japanese drumming ensemble. December 2, 2006 JASC Holiday Delight and Kodomo Matsuri JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. FREE Admission Celebrate the start of the holiday season at JASC's annual Holiday Delight Festival. Japanese and specialty handcrafted goods — from jewelry to paper goods to garments and accessories – are for sale. Come and do your holiday shopping at this unique bazaar. There is plenty of homemade baked goods, sushi, and teriyaki beef sticks to satisfy any appetite. Kodomo Matsuri entertains the children with crafts, performances, and a special visit from Santa. For a complete schedule of the exciting events and vendors, click Holiday Delight 2006. December 16, 2006 JASC Tsukasa Taiko Legacy Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago Time TBA FREE Admission JASC Tsukasa Taiko is one of the leading taiko (Japanese drum) ensembles in the Chicago area. The group was established as Tsukasa Daiko in 1996 by head instructor Hide Yoshihashi. In 2004, Tsukasa Daiko, Asian Improv aRts Midwest, and the JASC initiated a collaborative program, establishing the group as a resident arts program of the JASC, renaming it JASC Tsukasa Taiko. Basing its operations out of the JASC, the organization's mission is to preserve and pass on the traditional concepts of taiko as a cultural legacy and to utilize these concepts in expanding and evolving the taiko form. Dedicated to building community and being a leader in the taiko drumming culture of the Midwest, JASC Tsukasa Taiko maintains a national profile by presenting powerful performances across the country throughout the year. JASC Tsukasa Taiko has performed at the Smithsonian, Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chicago Jazz Festival among many other of the nation's major cultural institutions. JASC Tsukasa Taiko presents classes, workshops, lectures, and demonstrations designed to teach people how to play taiko as well as to advance the understanding of taiko and its role in Asian and Asian American culture. JASC Tsukasa Taiko offers quarterly class sessions throughout the year. Each quarter is approximately 10 weeks long, and all levels of experience are welcome to participate. It is recommended that children be at least 5 years of age to begin classes. January 13, 2007 Tohkon Judo Kagami Biraki New Year Celebration and Mochi-Tsuki JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. FREE Admission Download a Kagami Biraki schedule PDF Celebrate the New Year with an Oshogatsu tradition: join Tohkon Judo Academy and friends to pound mochi (sweet rice) the traditional way in the morning, followed by a Shinto blessing of the dojo and JASC building, demonstrations of taiko, dance and judo, and a pot-luck lunch. The Tohkon (Fighting Spirit) Judo Academy was founded in 1991 by co-founders Douglas Tono, President, 6th dan, former US World team /Olympic team member and Larry Wiley, Vice-president, 4th dan. In 1996 the dojo moved to JASC, and has been growing ever since. Besides advanced adult workouts, Tohkon offers classes for juniors, women and beginning adults. For more information click Tohkon Judo. January 20 & 27, 2007 JASC Community Mural Workshops JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago 9:30 a.m. refreshments 10 a.m. - noon workshop FREE Admission To honor the legacy of the Japanese Americans who resettled in Chicago during and after World War II, the JASC is embarking on an interior mural project – and all are invited to participate! On Saturday, January 20 and 27, 2007, we will hold Community Mural Workshops at the JASC. You can attend either one of these sessions (we are repeating the workshop on two dates so as many interested parties as possible can attend). At the workshop you will: – learn more about the 60th Anniversary exhibit "Origins of Now: Rebuilding Community," which will open at the JASC in March 2007– hear stories from some of our Nisei community leaders about their experiences resettling in Chicago– learn more about murals and their import and impact on a community from our mural artists, Mirtes Zwierzynski and Juan-Carlos Perez– take part in a creative project, led by our muralists, that will help inform the content of our mural– teens and youth (ages 12 and up) will be asked to sign on as the major participants to create the mural.Who should attend the workshop: – anyone, of any age, interested in the Chicago Japanese American experience.What you should bring: – and open mind and heart, and memories (either your own or those of others) from the post-war period– any photos, keepsakes or other personal history items that will inspire you at the workshop or that you can share with others (these could be items you take back home with you, or leave to be used with the project).The information and inspiration provided by those attending the workshops will help shape the mural, which will be created and produced by teens and youth through their energy, drive and creativity. The mural project will probably continue through May 2007. During that period, there will be days where the participants will act as mentors to younger (and older) people who would like to be active contributors in the mural's production. To reserve a spot at one of the workshops, click mural workshop rsvp and submit your reservation. Attendance is FREE! February 18, 2007 Day of Remembrance DeVry University, 3300 N. Campbell, Chicago 2:00 p.m. FREE Admission The Japanese American community joins together to recall the February 19, 1942 signing of Executive Order 9066, which paved the way for the internment of almost 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II, and to consider the lessons to be learned from the internment. The annual program is jointly sponsored by JACL, the Chicago Japanese American Historical Society, and JASC. This year's program features Assistant Professor of History at the University of Quebec at Montreal Greg Robinson, whose book By Order of the President: FDR and the Internment of Japanese Americans takes a hard look at President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his willingness to deny civil liberties to Japanese Americans living on the west coast. Dr. Robinson will discuss this almost untouched side of Roosevelt's presidency, and shed some light upon the seminal event that so permanently shaped the Japanese American experience. March 10 to June 8, 2007 Origins of Now: Rebuilding Community JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday & Saturday by appointment School groups please call at least two weeks in advance to reserve viewing time Public Opening Saturday, March 10 FREE Admission JASC's 60th Anniversary exhibit on the resettlement of Americans of Japanese ancestry in Chicago is a joint effort of JASC, the Chicago Japanese American Historical Society, and Chicago Arts Partnership in Education, along with other local Japanese American organizations. This exhibit, the first to explore in depth the resettlement of Japanese Americans in Chicago during and immediately following World War II, will include video documentaries of Niseis and others telling their personal histories. It will also look at the role of the JASC in helping the displaced Americans find jobs and homes, and the building of a Japanese American community in Chicago. March 10, 2007 JASC Open House JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. FREE Admission JASC's Open House will include performances, demonstrations and public participation in cultural activities like taiko drumming, Japanese classical dance, judo, flower arranging, paper folding and much more!
April 7, 2007 Origins of Now Performance Series: JASC Tsukasa Taiko JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago 7 p.m. FREE Admission A concert of Japanese drumming featuring JASC Tsukasa Taiko student members in recital, followed by the Tsukasa professional performance ensemble. April 18, 2007 JASC Basic Archival Presentation Workshop JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago 6:30-7:30 p.m. FREE Admission Learn the basics of preserving archival or historical items such as photographs, papers, newspapers, and artifacts from JASC's archivist Debbie Mieko Burns. Bring an item that you would like to preserve. To register, please send your name, telephone number, email address, and number attending to Debbie at 773.275.0097 x224 or archives@jasc-chicago.org. May 11, 2007 Origins of Now Performance Series: Stir Friday Night! JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago 7 p.m. FREE Admission JASC's resident Asian American improv/sketch comedy troupe in performance. May 20, 2007 Fireflies in Flight Click for exciting details about Fireflies in Flight. June 8, 2007 Origins of Now Performance Series: Fujima Ryu of Chicago & Toyoaki Shamisen JASC, 4427 N. Clark St., Chicago 7 p.m. FREE Admission JASC's resident Japanese classical dance troupe performs with our Japanese lute ensemble. August 4, 2007 JASC Resettlers’ Picnic LaBagh Woods Grove #1, entrance on Cicero just north of Foster, Chicago FREE Admission One of the few nonsecular community-wide gatherings that Japanese Americans and their friends went to in the late 1940s was the annual Resettlers' Picnic. This event has been resurrected with the joint participation of JACL, Tohkon Judo Academy, Asian American Law Enforcement Association, Chicago Nisei Post No. 1183, and JASC. The old-fashioned community picnic brings together all segments and generations of the Japanese American community and their friends. Burgers, hot dogs and soft drinks will supplement the BYO obento (food) and beer (alcohol allowed, just no glasses, glass containers or bottles). Games and prizes for the children and contests for the adults will be held. |
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