Valley JCC to Host Annual Obon Festival

Dancers enjoy the first Obon festival of the season at Valley Japanese Community Center. (MARIO G. REYES/Rafu Shimpo)

The Valley Japanese Community Center, 8850 Lankershim Blvd. in Sun Valley, hosts its annual Obon Festival on the weekend of June 16-17 from 5 to 10 p.m.

Crowd-pleasing and classic all-time favorites such as udon, teriyaki beef, sushi, Chinese chicken salad, fresh roasted corn on the cob and homemade baked goods are some of the foods that will be available for purchase.

Live demonstrations of judo, karate, kendo, tea ceremony, minyo, odori and taiko will be given. Festival-type games, exhibits of calligraphy/sumi-e, and schoolwork completed by Japanese School students will be featured on both days.

After the demonstrations, join in the Bon Odori dances. These are dances of joy, so age, looks or experience should not inhibit anyone from entering the circle of dancers.

For more information, contact Christine Inouye at christineinouye@yahoo.com or (818) 825-9583.