Sakura Festival

Dmae Roberts share sounds and voices from the first annual Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival at the Japanese American Historical Plaza in Portland. The festival was created by the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center and this year was a benefit to raise funds for disaster relief in Japan through Mercy Corps for the Oregon Japan Relief Fund.

Richmond Elementary students at the Saukra Festival

Dmae talks with Mari Watanabe, the executive director of the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center. Watanabe says the Oregon Japan Relief Fund has raised nearly $500,000 and nationally the fund has brought in $5 million.

We also hear sounds from Monmouth Taiko, Youth Taiko from Richmond Elementary School in Portland.  And Portland Taiko’s Michelle Fuji tells us about the group’s personal ties to Japan.

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Monmouth Taiko

You can hear more from Portland Taiko at their next family concert called “Ponta and the Big Drum”. They will be folding origami cranes and will have a donation box for Mercy Corps in the lobby. The shows are on April 30 and May 7 at 11 am, as well as May 1 and May 8 at 11 am and 1 pm. All shows are at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, 1111 SW Broadway in Portland. You can purchase tickets from Ticketmaster or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Portland Taiko will be be part of additional fundraisers as part of Raising Hope for Japan. The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center will also be part of the Japan America Society of Oregon fundraising dinner.

You can also  hear Stage & Studio  live at the KBOO.FM or on 90.7FM live at 11am Tuesdays.

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And always browse our archive of shows at the official Stage and Studio website

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