Donate gently used items to the Salvation Army on June 13
GOLDEN AGE FOUNDATION EVENTS
The Golden Age Foundation (GAF) will host a 90-minute multicultural festival in the Amphitheater on July 18 at 7:30 p.m. to showcase different cultures in Leisure World. One of the featured clubs will be the Japanese American Club.
The Japanese American Club of Leisure World officially formed in 1991 as “The Nikkei Club.” Nikkei refers to Japanese emigrants and their descendants who live outside of Japan. The idea for the club originated in 1973. Eiko Fujii Harvey and Kei Futamase were instrumental in the formation of the club.
The Japanese American Club strives to promote social interactions, build friendships and foster a feeling of community and support.
The club convenes every other month for a meeting and lunch. The day usually involves a guest speaker or performance and often a “bento box” lunch. The club also hosts two annual events, a picnic in August and a Christmas lunch in December. The club currently has about 60 members, and all are welcome to join.
The club’s performance on July 18 will include “Tanko Bushi” or “Coal Miner’s Song,” a Japanese folk song from the Kyushu region of Japan created to lighten the monotony of labor.
The dance portion of the performance simulates the movements of coal miners— digging, throwing coal, wiping away sweat, pushing carts —and is a staple of Japan’s Obon Festival. The lyrics of the song are considered romantic, depicting a female coal miner longing for her partner. Tanko Bushi is a celebration of the working class spirit and a staple of summer festivities.
Accompanying the dancers will be a Taiko drumming group. Taiko means “big drum” and was traditionally used in military battles, religious ceremonies and Imperial court music as well as a tool for communication. The Taiko was used in ancient Japan over 2,000 years ago.
The GAF hopes that the multicultural event will help residents learn about the different backgrounds in Leisure World through these cultural performances, and will bring neighbors together.
For more information, text (562) 301-5339.
••• Salvation Army Donation Saturday, June 13 Residents can donate gently used goods to the Salvation Army during the GAF’s donation drive in the Amphitheater parking lot on Saturday, June 13, from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
In addition to the donation drive providing a convenient place to drop off donations, the program also saves shareholders money by cutting down on expensive haul-away costs for items that were previously disposed of at the 1.8-Acre site.
The collection bags will be put out two weeks before the collection date at the LW Weekly office. Collection bags will no longer be available in clubhouses.
The Salvation Army accepts
Members of the Japanese American Club will perform at the Golden Age Foundation's multicultural event on July 18.
Emma DiMaggio
