Chicago Events - July

CONCERT

Yoko Noge and the Jazz-Me Blues Band
A Chicago-based jazz/blues artist, Yoko Noge will perform her last Monday-night set before the HotHouse sadly closes its doors in mid-July.
July 7th - 8:30 pm, 21 & older, 31 E Balbo Ave.


BOOK EVENTS

The Sushi Economy - Presentation & Signing
Author Sasha Issenberg will give a presentation on his new book that chronicles globalization and “the far-flung global network of fanatics, chefs, tuna ranchers and pirates that make up the culinary phenomenon that revolves around sushi.”
Wednesday, July 18, 6:00 – 8:30 pm. $20 for Japan America Society members, $30 non-members. Sushi, appetizers, and drinks included. Visit link above for reservations & more info.

Hello Kitty: The Global Brand with Nine Lives - Presentation & Signing
Ken Bolson, a business reporter with the New York Times, explores the phenomenal success of Japan’s most famous cartoon cat. “There will also be a discussion of the Japanese concept of "kawaii" and how Kitty became the emblem of the cute movement starting in the 1970s. In short, there will be something for businessmen, Japanophiles and those just curious about the mysterious Hello Kitty.”
Friday August 3, 6:00 – 8:30 pm. $15 Japan America Society members / $20 non-members. Visit link above for reservations & more info.


DANCE

Butoh Sorbet
Butoh is a unique and challenging form of modern dance from Japan. This event will feature solo performances by Vangeline, Ginger Krebs, and Nicole LeGette.
Friday, July 13th, 9PM, $10 donation. The Spareroom, 4100 W. Grand Avenue.


FILM - At Facets Cinematheque

July 06 – 12: The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai
July 13 – 19: Hula Girls

Japanese festivals across the region

Summer is here and it's time to enjoy festivals. Maybe you can't make it to any matsuri in rural Japan, but there is fun to be had in your area. Don't miss out!

Gion Matsuri in Hita, Japan

TWIN CITIES

Dragon Festival: Dragon boat races on Lake Phalen in Minneapolis! An Asian celebration with martial arts, ethnic food, arts and crafts.
July 14 - 15, Phalen Lake and Park, Minneapolis.

Como Japanese Lantern Festival: Held at the Como Japanese Garden, the festival features bon odori, food, arts, and entertainment before the floating lanterns are lit at dusk. Organized by the St. Paul Nagasaki Sister City Committee and JAS Minnesota, this event has grown considerably over the past decade and is well worth checking out.
August 19, 4 - 9 pm. $5 per person or $10 per family.


KANSAS CITY

Kansas City Kurashiki Week: This year, a huge delegation of 400 people from Kurashiki will visit to celebrate and strengthen the sister-city relationship with Kansas City, now in its 35th year.
July 25 - August 1. Visit link above for more details.


ST. LOUIS

The Missouri Botanical Gardan's Japanese Festival includes sumo wrestling, a geisha presentation, calligraphy exhibit, traditional tea ceremonies and candlelight walks in the Japanese garden.
4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis
Sept. 1 and 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sept. 3 (Labor Day), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$10 adults, $7 seniors, $3 children ages 3 to 12. $3 for garden members.


...and if you happen to be in Los Angeles, the 67th annual Nisei Week Festival is held August 18 - 26.

Chicago events: July

EVENT

Buddhist Temple of Chicago - 61st Natsu Matsuri (summer festival)
Sunday, July 1, 11am-6pm
1151 W. Leland (free off street parking at Bridgeview Bank, Broadway & Lawerence). Admission is free.
Food availability is limited - please preorder from the website (link above) if you want to eat.
Artwork on display. Books, apparel, and crafts for sale. Silent auction & prizes.


CONCERT

P-Heavy, a girl's rock trio from Nagano, plays in Chicago for People Project on July 4th. Email us for details.

Chicago Events: June – July

CONCERTS

Tokyo's noisy, abrasive rock outfit Melt-Banana plays at the Abbey Pub Thursday, June 21, at 9 pm. Ages 18+. Tickets $10 - $12.
Melt-Banana website

From the Chicago Tribune: "Tatsu Aoki's galvanic Miyumi Project, which combines jazz and Japanese taiko drumming, performs 9 p.m. Saturday at the Velvet Lounge, 67 E. Cermak Rd.; $10-$20; 312-791-9050."
Tatsu Aoki website


EVENTS

Japan Festival
June 23 – 24 (Saturday 11am – 6:30pm; Sunday 11am – 5pm)
Forest View Educational Center
2121 S. Goebbert Rd. Mapquest link
Arlington Heights, Illinois
$3 donation
http://www.japanfest-chicago.org/
Presented by the Mid-America Japanese Club and District 214 Community Education

JAS Chicago 77th Annual Dinner
Thursday, June 28th, 6-9:30 pm, Arlington Heights
Reservations


FILM

Paprika, a feature-length animated film by Satoshi Kon, is playing at several area theaters. This surreal science-fiction adventure has been greeted with enthusiastic reviews.
Chicago Tribune review

MIDNIGHT SUN (Taiyo no Uta) - Presented by the Japan Information Center and Cinema/Chicago as part of the FREE INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCREENINGS by Cinema/Chicago.
Wednesday, July 25 7:30 pm
Claudia Cassidy Theatre77 E. Randolph StreetFREE ADMISSION

At Facets Cinematheque
July 06 – 12: The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai
July 13 – 19: Hula Girls


ART

At the Art Institute of Chicago - Free admission Thursday and Friday evenings through August 31.

Kamisaka Sekka – The World of Things. 20th century woodblock prints.

through July 1

Kota Ezawa – On the Scene
through September 3

Japonisme : The Impact of Japanese Prints in 19th-Century Europe
through October 1

Upcoming:
Poetry of Friendship: Surimono and the Cultural Salons of Japan
July 7 – September 16


Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art
Takashi Murakami's 116-foot-wide, 24-foot-high wallpaper installation of thousands of Japanese anime-style bright green eyes. Through Dec. 30

If you know of anything else coming up in the Chicago Area, please let us know!