Mar 23

Japan Society Round-up: Events to raise funds for disaster relief

Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Society Round-up Comments Off on Japan Society Round-up: Events to raise funds for disaster relief

Japan America Societies around the country are organizing fundraising efforts to help the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. Here is a listing of various upcoming events for disaster relief gathered by JET alum Gail Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10). If your local Japan America Society is planning a fundraising event not listed here, please leave it in the comments!

JAS of Central Ohio

• What: Candlelight vigil
• Where: Front steps of Thomas Worthington High School, 300 W. Granville Road, Worthington
• When: Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.
• Details: There will be music and a couple students speaking. Donations will be collected for the Red Cross fund for Japan.

• What: Soprano Seiko Lee Benefit Concert for Japanese Earthquake Relief
• Where: Dublin Recreation Center – Abbey Theater, 5600 Post Road, Dublin, Ohio
• When: Sunday, March 27 at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
• Details: The performance will feature Kenichiro Matsuda (Columbus Symphony), Hanamizuki no Kai (Columbus Japanese Women’s Chorus) and Eiko Toyoda (piano). Tickets/Suggested Donation $20 per person or two for $30. 100% of all ticket sales and donations will go to the Red Cross Japanese Chapter and will be directly used to support victims in Fukushima Prefecture through the Seiko Lee Project staff members. There are only 200 seats available, so pre-ordering tickets is recommended. Contact Ms. Asako Kim at 614-560-7796, Akai Hana Restaurant or Tensuke Market for more information or to purchase tickets. There is an age limit of 7 years and older.

JAS of Washington DC

• What: Stand With Japan event
• Where: The grounds of the Washington Monument
• When: Thursday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m.
• Details: The National Cherry Blossom Festival, its partners, participants and supporters invite you to gather at the Washington Monument followed by a walk around the Tidal Basin in the spirit of hope and rebuilding. This will be an opportunity for people to unite and connect, as well as contribute to the Festival’s Japan relief efforts, directly supporting the American Red Cross and their Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund. Visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org for more information.

JAS of Kentucky

• What: Discussion forum about the earthquake
• Where: W.T. Young Library Auditorium of the University of Kentucky
• When: Monday, March 28 from 4:10 to 6:10 p.m.
• Details: The discussion forum will feature the following individuals, all of whom experienced the earthquake and/or saw its aftermath in Japan: Doug Slaymaker (Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures [MCLLC]), Keiko Tanaka (Community and Leadership Development) and Akiko Takenaka (History). In addition, the forum also will include Susan Gardner (Physics and Astronomy) and Dhananjay Ravat (Earth and Environmental Sciences). These panelists will explore issues pertaining to the earthquake from multiple perspectives. Masamichi (Marro) Inoue (MCLLC, Director of the Japan Studies Program) will introduce and moderate the discussion. This forum will be an occasion for information sharing, cross-cultural community building, and academic engagement in social issues. Donations to the Red Cross will be accepted. The forum is free and open to the public.

• What: Bluegrass Community Walk for Japan Relief
• Where: Coldstream Research Park in North Lexington
• When: Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m.
• Details: Residents of the Bluegrass Region who wish to show their support for the disaster victims will come together for this free community event. Donations for Japan disaster relief will be accepted by the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross.

JS of New York

• What: Concert for Japan
• Where: Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St. between 1st and 2nd avenues
• When: Saturday, April 9, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Details: Twelve hours of music and special activities will benefit Japan Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. 100% of proceeds from the event and tax-deductible contributions made on site to the relief fund will go to organizations that directly help victims recover from the earthquake and tsunami. With dozens of performances throughout the day, confirmed gala blocks feature Philip Glass & Hal Willner, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and Zorn (starting at 1 p.m.), and Ryuichi Sakamoto and Bill Laswell and gigi band (starting at 6 p.m.). In addition to the music, there will be activities for all ages. Participants will have the chance to make origami cranes and washi lanterns, take basic Japanese language lessons and access to Japan Society’s current gallery exhibition, “By Bye Kitty!!! Between Heaven & Hell in Contemporary Japanese Art.” The entrance fee is $5. Gala blocks are $100 per block. For more information, click here.

JAS of Northern California

• What: Japan Earthquake Relief Form and Update
• Where: Morrison & Foerster LLP, 425 Market St., 33F, San Francisco
• When: Monday, March 28, Noon to 2 p.m.
• Details: This free brown bag lunch meeting will focus on Japan Society earthquake and tsunami relief efforts and how the disaster may shape Japan’s future at home, regionally and globally. Dr. Barnett F. Baron, President and CEO of Give2Asia, will discuss his organizations work in the crisis, as well as the Japanese NPOs on the ground that Japan Society and Give2Asia are funding during this catastrophe. Dr. T.J. Pempel, Professor of Political Science at UC Berkeley, will provide a broader view of the long-term impacts. Advance registration required. For more information, click here.

JAS of Greater Austin

• What: Japanese Dance Workshop
• Where: Asian American Cultural Center, 11713 Jollyville Road, Austin, Texas
• When: Saturday, March 26. Session 1 is 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Session 2 is 3 to 4:15 p.m.
• Details: Learn Japanese folk dance during this workshop with kodo artist Chieko Kojima to raise funds for the earthquake and tsunami victims of Japan. The fee is $15 for JASGA members of $20 for non-members. The first session is for participants who have basic skills and knowledge of Japanese dance, and the second session is for beginners. For more information, click here.