Update: Chicago’s first Japanese Matsuri, which was originally scheduled for June 23 and 24, has been rescheduled for September 29 and 30 due to a scheduling conflict.
All other food, vendors and performers remain the same, according to the press release.
Chicago summers brim with celebrations, and this year, a new cultural festival is entering the fray.
Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya and the city’s Japanese Culture Center have partnered to launch the Chicago Japanese Matsuri, which will kick off June 23 and 24 at NewCity Plaza (1457 N. Halsted St.). “Matsuri” is the traditional Japanese word for a festival.
The two-day festival will celebrate Japanese culture with traditional food, drink and entertainment. Admission is free, while food and drink tickets are available for purchase. Pricing tiers are $2 for one ticket, $20 for 12 and $40 for 25.
All food will be provided by Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya. The menu includes chicken karaage on a stick, Japanese chicken wings, gyoza, gyudon, edamame, Japanese shaved ice and more.
Beer comes from Sapporo, and other beverage options include a variety of sakes, as well as water, soda and iced tea.
100-percent of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Japanese Cultural and the Japanese Arts Foundation, particularly the redevelopment of the Japanese Culture Center’s Lakeview facility.
The performances feature a variety of traditional Japanese art forms, including dance, drumming, calligraphy, ink painting and swordsmanship. Japanese Consul-General Naoki Ito will deliver opening remarks.
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Here’s the tentative schedule of daily performances:
Saturday
12 p.m. Japanese Consul-General Naoki Ito gives opening remarks
12:30 p.m. “Big Brush” Sumi-e (Japanese ink painting) performance
1 p.m. Aikido Association of America Performance
2 p.m. Shamisen and traditional Japanese dance performance
3 p.m. Large format Japanese calligraphy (Shodo) performance
4 p.m. Taiko drumming performance
Sunday
12 p.m. Iaido (Japanese swordsmanship) demonstration
1 p.m. Aikido Association of America performance
2 p.m. Shamisen and traditional Japanese dance performance
3 p.m. Large format Japanese calligraphy (Shodo) performance
3 p.m. Comedy act BATSU
4 p.m. Taiko drumming performance
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