Dear Friends, Compadres, Amigos, Tomodachi and dushi-gwa-ta-->

Just a few informal announcements for Okinawa-related events in the Gardena, Torrance area. For more info, contact the OAA Center (Okinawa Association of America) directly.

List of events in no particular order:

1) Dinner and talk with Mr. Shinman Yamada
Friday, June 30, 7:30pm at OAA Center
16500 S. Western Avenue, #103
Gardena, CA 90247
Bento orders for $10; an intimate talk with the artist (and then perhaps some karaoke and socializing in the Yamauchi Bldg?)
***RSVP to OAA office
(310)532-1929
mensore@earthlink.net

Well-known uchinanchu artist, will be stopping by Los Angeles from June 28-July 1. Jon Shirota, OAA member, friend and accomplished playwright and author, was a catalyst in setting up this special meeting. Mr. Shinman Yamada and his family expressed wanting to meet with OAA members.

Shinman Yamada makes pottery and is well-known in Okinawa, as well as mainland Japan. He goes to New York every other year to exhibit and sell his pottery. Many people may have heard of his father, also a famous artist. The late Shinzan Yamada created the huge statue in the Okinawa Peace Prayer Hall on Mabuni Hill. Mr. Yamada will be accompanied by his wife and daughter. Everyone welcome to join!

2) Alberto Shiroma - concert (free) and dinner reception (not free, sorry!)
Sr. Shiroma of Diamantes* fame will be stopping by through Los Angeles for the second time in less than half a year! En route to Peru, will be stopping for a few days in Los Angeles. He will be promoting an Uchinanchu Taikai package of his own and here to rally enthusiasm for the Taikai coming up in October.

*Diamantes (meaning “Diamonds” in Spanish) is the name of a popular pop/latin band in Japan. Alberto Shiroma in particular is well-known for being Peruvian-Okinawan Nikkei of third generation who moved to Japan to pursue his musical career. (link below highlights his concert from January)http://www.oaamensore.org/news/news_2005/news_news_122105.htm
Welcome Dinner @ Sea Empress
1636 W. Redondo Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
7:00 PM, Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Approximately $25
Once menu is set, the price shall be, too, and interested parties will be asked to make checks payable to OAA, Inc. Alberto will be accompanied by his wife and his 6 year old daughter. Everyone welcome!
***RSVP to OAA office
(310) 532-1929
mensore@earthlink.net

Free! Performance by the Alberto Shiroma at OAA Center, Yamauchi Bldg
Thursday, June 29, 2006
7:00pm-?
***No RSVP needed

3) Modern History Symposium on "Examining the Histories of Okinawa and Hawaii"
Guest Speaker: Sam Kitamura
Sponsored by Kingendai Rekishi Kenkyukai (Modern History Study Group)
Not OAA-sponsored
7:00pm, Thursday, June 22, 2006
Kaede Bookstore in Nijiya Market Plaza
2147 182nd Street
Torrance, CA 90504
$4 per person/reservation recommended
Will be conducted in Japanese.
Rafu Shimpo had an article about this symposium where Mr. Sam Kitamura will discuss the parallels between the history of the Ryukyus (Okinawa) and Hawai'i.
***RSVP: momentum5555@sbcglobal.net Attn: Mr. Imamori.

Yutashiku unige sabira!

OAA Center
Mon-Fri: 10am-4pm
16500 S. Western Avenue, #203
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 532-1929 TEL
(310) 808-9280 FAX
mensore@earthlink.net

www.oaamensore.org