MONTEREY PARK —?The annual Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival will be held Saturday, April 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave. in Monterey Park.
The event will feature foods with an Asian flair, hand-made crafts, kids’ games, taiko drumming, traditional Japanese dancing and musical entertainment, martial arts, origami demonstration and classes, ikebana display and classes, and mochi-making. The schedule is as follows:
Saturday, April 21
Field Stage
11 a.m.: Mark Keppel High School Aztec Singers
12:30 a.m.: Sage Granada Park United Methodist Church Japanese School Taiko Group
12 p.m.: Opening ceremonies featuring Denise Dador of ABC7, Consul General Akira Chiba and Kimono Fashion Show, hosted by Rodney Kageyama and Shin Ito
1 p.m.: Yoki Daiko
1:30 p.m.: Allen Oshiro (magic)
2:30 p.m.: June Kuramoto (koto)
3:45 p.m.: Halau Hula ’A’ Ala Anuhea
4:15 p.m.: Yuujou Taiko
4:45 p.m.: Dave Torrres Kempo Karate
5:30 p.m.: Kokoro (band)
Indoor Stage
12 p.m.: Japanese classical dance group-Nancy Teramura Hayata
1 p.m.: Kotobuki no Kai (minyo)
2 p.m.: Yuna and Tida (Okinawan music)
3 p.m.: Pop Rock Academy
4 p.m.: Angeles Dance Group
5 p.m.: Origami demonstration by Michael Sanders
Sunday, April 22
Field Stage
11 a.m.: Mark Keppel High School Pep Band
11:30 a.m.: Mele Ohana Ukulele
12 p.m.: Bombu Taiko
12:45 p.m.: Wu Shu Martial Arts
1:05 p.m.: Azuma Kotobuki Kai (dance)
1:45 p.m.: Erica Nagashima (singer)
2:30 p.m.: Phyllis Chang (singer/songwriter)
3:15 p.m.: Koshin Taiko
3:45 p.m.: Ohana Polynesian Dancers
4:30 p.m.: Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko (Okinawan drums)
4:45 p.m.: Asian Persuasion (oldies)
5:15 p.m.: Ronin Stones (band)
Indoor Stage
11 a.m.: Children’s folk tales by Sunny and Judy Seki
12 p.m.: Manju demonstration by Brian Kito of Fugetsu-do
1 p.m.: Kyo no Kai (kabuki)
2 p.m.: Shinshi (guitarist)
3 p.m.: Fuji Japanese Music and Yamatogaku USA
3:30 p.m.: Urasenke Ryu Chado (tea ceremony)
4 p.m.: Magic Wayne
Free shuttle service is available from Langley Senior Center, 400 W. Emerson Ave.; Ynez Elementary School, 120 S. Ynez Ave.; and Repetto Elementary School, 650 S. Grandridge Ave.
For more information, call (626) 307-1388 or visit www.MontereyPark.ca.gov and search for “Cherry Blossom Festival.”