May 8 & 9, 2004

Saturday, May 8, - 7am to 4pm

21st Annual Children's Day Celebration
Asian Pacific Arts & Crafts Faire

On Saturday, May 8, Family FunFest will bring the spirit and energy of the Southland's youth to the JACCC and Little Tokyo with the Chibi-k: Kids for Kids Fun Run, the San Tai San: 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, 2nd Kids Taiko Konference, Come Fly with Me, The Beat Factory and the Asian Pacific Arts and Crafts Faire. Children will have the unique opportunity to make and fly their own kites, create greeting cards, and take part in other cultural workshops including papermaking and calligraphy. In addition, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, and contemporary and traditional multi-cultural performances and exhibitions will entertain the audience throughout the day.

Confirmed artists include: Fujima Kansuma Kai, Yu Su Kyung Kah-Yah Korean Traditional Dance Group, Koyasan Drum and Bugle, UC Irvine Jodaiko, UCLA Nikkei Student Union Modern, Greenway Academy of Irish Dances, Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu Karate of Little Tokyo, UCLA ACA Lion Dance Team, and Pinky Paws Productions. Performances subject to change. Special guest emcee on the Plaza mainstage will be Keiko Agena from the WB's hit show The Gilmore Girls.

To apply for the Chibi K (online)

For a PDF registration form (to be mailed or faxed)

For more info on the San Tai San basketball tournament
visit the website
To apply for the San tai San call LTSC at
213.473.1602

Sunday, May 9, - 11am to 4pm

Mother's Day Hawaiian Style
Asian Pacific Arts & Crafts Faire

On Sunday, May 9, the JACCC Plaza will be replete with the spirit of ohana celebrating Mother's Day Hawaiian Style. The day will be dedicated to mothers with a special Hawaiian concert presented in the Aratani/ Japan America Theatre in the late afternoon. Traditional craft workshops such as feather weaving, ti leaf lei making, and pandandus leaf weaving along with a variety of vendors and food booths will allow the children to experience a part of the Hawaiian culture here on the mainland. And the JACCC Plaza will be filled with the music of Hawaii with performances by Kawika o Leinani Hula Halau, Halau Kealii O Nalani, Halau Ka Pa Hula o Wahinealii, Halau Kau Ike o Lani, Hula Halau Ka Mele Wai o Ke Anuenue, Hula Halau o Lilinoe, UCLA Kyodo Taiko and more. Come join us for an afternoon of Hawaiian dance, song, ukulele performances and much, much more!

Come Fly with Me
11am-4pm Kite Exhibition and Workshop Area
12pm-2pm Workshop with Master Kite Maker
Free and open to the public/JACCC Plaza

Kite flying is a popular age-old pastime in Japan, especially on New Year's day and Children's Day. The Japanese kite is believed to have come by way of Buddhist missionaries that traveled from China during the Nara period (649-794 AD). Later, during the Edo period (1603 ­ 1867) when Japan was closed to all foreigners, the most of beautiful Japanese kites we know today were developed. There are about 130 different styles and types of kites, each region having its own unique shape. They are normally decorated with characters from Japanese folklore, mythology or have some religious or symbolic meaning. Learn more about the various types and structures specific to the different prefectures in Japan, spend time with a master kite maker, make your own kite to take home and to fly in our kite flying area on the festival grounds.

 The Beat Factory
11am-1pm Make my Own Percussion Instrument Workshop
11am-4pm Open Music Circle
Free and open to the public/JACCC Plaza

The Beat Factory is a new activity area that is being offered to children where they can learn how to make music and instruments from found objects. Professional musicians will lead the workshops and teach the children about beat, rhythm, harmony and melody in the process.