Opening ceremony of the 1st Annual Los Angeles Tanabata Festival on August 14, 2009, in Little Tokyo. Tanabata Matsuri is the Japanese star festival. MC Tamlyn Tomita describes the folk tale origins of the festival, the symbolism of the festival decorations, and the significance of starting up this celebration in L.A.

A rainbow of 240 handmade streamers swayed in the wind outside The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA near the Japanese American National Museum. The program included music by Minyo Station and dance performances by Yosakoi Sooran Kashu Rengo Hyuga.

The Tanabata Festival was presented by the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association, the Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai, and the Nisei Week Foundation, as a new event for the 69th Annual Nisei Week Festival celebrating Japanese American culture.

For more information, please visit:
http://jhills-tanabata.community.officelive.com

Letsu Go! (less info)