Taste of Japan 08: Japan on Stage

Kiwi J-Pop Star to Headline Auckland’s Premier Japanese Festival.

Acclaimed Tokyo-based singer/songwriter Kat McDowell will lead a truly international line-up of performers at Taste of Japan in central Auckland on Saturday 23 August 2008.

Born in Tokyo and raised in Auckland, bilingual songstress Kat is signed to Japan’s Binyl Records. She recently released three EPs through record label Avex Entertainment, home to Japan’s most famous J-pop singers, including reigning J-pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki and Korean boy band sensation Tohoshinki. Kat’s debut full length album is due for release in October 2008.

Kat is appearing with the support of Air New Zealand as part of Taste of Japan, the annual free community cultural showcase organised by NZJS with support from the Consulate-General of Japan and ASB Community Trust.

For one day only, visitors to Freemans Bay Community Hall will be transported to an authentic Japanese festival world of music, performing arts, food and drink. Under the banner ‘Japan on Stage’, the festival features a range of traditional and contemporary performing arts by visiting and New Zealand-based talent.

Audiences will be treated to the music of visiting group Kaze no Kai, whose songs encompass shakuhachi (Japanese flute) and tsugaru-jamisen (a popular style of three-stringed shamisen music originating in northern Japan). Joining them on stage will be hometown festival favourites Haere Mai Taiko (Auckland’s premier taiko drummers) plus Komorebi Band and Sakura no Kai.

Music is just one aspect of Japan on Stage. The festival will also introduce other Japanese arts, including tea ceremony, calligraphy, bonsai and shiatsu massage.

New Zealand’s own resident origami master, Jonathan Baxter, will be a guest of Taste of Japan 2008. A visual performing artist who has worked in the field of arts education for more than 25 years, Jonathan has also exhibited alongside Japan's greatest living Origami Master, Akira Yoshizawa.

Come along and enjoy a cup of Japanese tea served to you in the traditional way, and try your hand at writing your name with in traditional Japanese characters. Or relax with a short massage. You can also learn origami and paper art from popular with all ages.

And no Taste of Japan would be complete without sampling the nation’s delicious and diverse cuisine, prepared by Auckland’s best Japanese restaurants. Ramen, gyoza, donburi, sushi, takoyaki – these and other delights will be on offer, so be sure to try them all!

Taste of Japan is fun for the whole family – kids will love the food and games of a real Japanese festival, including yoyo-tsuri fishing, ebisen (prawn flavoured crackers) and sauce senbei (large crackers which you can write on with sauce).

Taste of Japan: Japan on Stage will be a day to truly savour – watch, taste, listen, and enjoy!

Free community event; cash required for individual purchases (e.g. food, drink).

Opening ceremony from 10.00am, followed by performances throughout the day. Closing ceremony at 3.50pm, with festival ending at 4.00pm.

Event listed by nzjs

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