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Artist Biographies
Chibi Taiko was formed in the fall of 1993 with
the goal of passing the unique and dynamic
performing art of taiko drumming on to the
next generation of Asian Canadians. As the
first children’s taiko ensemble in Canada, the
group’s philosophy emphasizes cooperation,
leadership, responsibility and spirituality in
addition to the physical and musical discipline
needed to build a cohesive and dynamic taiko
ensemble.
are dedicated to the preservation, enjoyment
and performance of ethnic dances and music
of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and
Sweden. They practice most Wednesday
evenings, September through April, at the
Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby
and offer beginning and intermediate
instruction,
informal
social
dancing,
workshops and cabaret nights with visiting
dancers and musicians.
Koufu Yamamoto is a certified Master of the
shakuhachi (traditional Japanese bamboo flute),
has performed in numerous performances and
recordings in the Lower Mainland and across
Canada. He is one of the original members of
Rakuichi – a group that organizes an annual
harvest festival ceremony, the OMIKOSHI, as
well as being a core member of the Shishimai
group (Dragon Dance) for which he plays flute.
Scandinavian Festival Choir combines the
Runeberg Chorus and the Tivoli Singers. The
Runeberg Chorus was originally founded by
Swedish-speaking immigrants from Finland
in the 1920s. In the beginning the repertoire
was mainly Swedish with the inclusion of
some Finnish and English songs. With the
addition of singers from other language
groups they have expanded their programs
to include all the Scandinavian languages,
English and Japanese. The Tivoli Singers
are a community choir associated with the
Danish Lutheran Church of Vancouver, B.C.
Since 1959 the group has met weekly to
sing for their own enjoyment and for public
performances.
Ten-year-old Moe Kida was the winner of the
children’s category at last year’s Nikkei’s Got
Talent. Despite no training or singing lessons,
she has an incredibly strong voice and passion
for music. She has performed at various Nikkei
Place events, including the Community Awards
Dinner, Christmas Social, and Sakura Benefit
Concert.
Sakura Singers was formed in 1970 as a
mixed choral group under the auspices of the
JCCA, directed by Mrs. Ruth Suzuki. Upon
its inauguration into a Society in 2006, an
Endowment Fund was established to promote
the enjoyment of Japanese songs and a better
understanding and appreciation of Japanese
Canadian culture. The Sakura Singers perform
at numerous venues throughout the year, and
hold its major concert biennially at Michael J.
Fox Theatre.
Satsuki-kai was established in May 2011 and is
named after Satsuki, the “fifth month.” Instructor
Mrs. Yoko Matsuno teaches Japanese folk
dance every Friday at Nikkei Centre. Satsukikai has performed at Nikkei Home and other
senior homes. The dance class is open to the
public on Fridays from 1 to 3pm.
Scandinavian Dancers of Vancouver is a
group of energetic dancers and musicians,
going strong since 1971. Though not all
members have Scandinavian background, they
Vancouver Okinawa Taiko has performed in
numerous cultural festivals, charity functions,
and anniversary events for almost a decade.
The group’s aim is to share Okinawan style
drum-dancing and to promote Okinawan
culture. The members consist of a mix of
several generations which reflects a true
presentation of grassroots folk art.
Vancouver Spelmanslag is a group of
musicians who enjoy playing Scandinavian
folk music. A mix-and-match band associated
with the Scandinavian Dancers of Vancouver,
they especially love to perform for dancers.
Their busiest time is the spring festival
season, which culminates in “Midsummer,”
the ancient traditional celebration of
the summer solstice in late June. The
Spelmanslag has been in existence since
the early 1970s. Based on the long tradition
of Scandinavian village bands, they are an
inclusive and informal group. Scandinavian
folk music is suitable for many different
instruments, and new members of any age
are welcome.
CELEBRATE
Spring
FEIRE VAREN
FREE
A FUN FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT
SHOWCASING JAPANESE AND
SCANDINAVIAN PERFORMERS
SATURDAY
APRIL 18
Nikkei
national museum
& cultural centre
CELEBRATE SPRING
FEIRE VAREN
Welcome! ようこそ
The early arrival of the blossoming akebono cherry trees has put us all in a celebratory
mood at the Nikkei Centre. We are especially excited this year to welcome our special
guests from the Scandinavian Community Centre and invite everyone to a multi-cultural
CELEBRATE SPRING/FEIRE VAREN festival that allows families, young and old, to come
together for the rejuvenation that this season brings. The performers, volunteers, and
staff have been working hard preparing for this year’s event that includes fun activities,
inspiring performances from diverse cultural backgrounds, and wonderful food offerings.
Remember to enjoy our beautiful Japanese Canadian garden with new interpretive signage
and visit our Museum gallery. Our new exhibition, Registered: The Experience of Japanese
Canadians during WWII by Leslie Hossack is also part of the Capture Photography Festival.
We invite you to become a member of the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre,
and you can keep up to date with all of our activities and events through our website,
Facebook, and Twitter.
If we have been honoured to have you as a guest in the past, welcome back, and if this is
your first time to the Nikkei Centre, thank you for attending.
Roger LemireSherri Kajiwara
Executive Director Director-Curator
Nikkei Centre Nikkei National Museum
THANK YOU!
To our sponsors: Government of Canada, Fraser, Life Vancouver, Suzuya,
Vancouver Shinpo
To all our performers: Moe Kida, Chibi Taiko, Koufu Yamamoto, Runeberg Choir, Sam
George, Sakura Singers, Satsuki-kai, Scandinavian Community Centre, Scandinavian
Dancers, Tivoli Singers, Scandinavian Festival Choir, Urasenke Tankoukai Vancouver
Association, Vancouver Okinawa Taiko, Vancouver Spelmanslag
To our staff and volunteers: Roger, Sherri, Reiko, Misa, Maki, Yvonne, Nichola, Catrina,
Karah, Karen, Kim, Gavin, Masa, Patrick, Masashi, Cameron, David, Barbara, Carole,
Danielle, Dennis, Elaine, Elvira, Eva, Greg, James, Justin, Kevin, Kyna, Lenita, Lucas,
Macy, Makino, Matthew, Maya, Naomi, Ruth, Shafi, Shiva, Tiffany, Yumiko, Zen, Gladstone
Japanese Language school teachers and students
www.nikkeiplace.org
Event Schedule
Ellipse Lobby 11:00am to 4:00pm
Nikkei Centre – Information
Japanese tea ceremony by Urasenke Tankoukai Vancouver Association ($3)
Food and Craft vendors
Intergenerational Room (105) 11:00am to 4:00pm
Craft vendors • Scandinavian community information • Assorted Scandinavian knitwear display
Calligraphy demonstration and workshop by Gladstone Japanese Language School
Museum Gallery 11:00am to 5:00pm
Registered by Leslie Hossack. Artist talk + gallery tour at 2pm
Visit our Taiken historical exhibit on 2nd floor
Special Events Hall (Stage)
11:00am First Nations Blessing by Sam George
11:30am Japanese Drum by Chibi Taiko
12:00pm Sakura Singers
12:30pm Runeberg Choir and Tivoli Singers
1:00pm Traditional Japanese bamboo flute (Shakuhachi) by Koufu Yamamoto
1:30pm Scandinavian Traditional Folk Dance by Scandinavian Dancers
2:00pm Singing by Moe Kida
2:15pm Soran Dance by Gladstone Japanese Language School
2:30pm Japanese Dance by Satsuki-kai
3:00pm Scandinavian Folk Music by the Vancouver Spelmanslag
3:30pm
Okinawa Drum by Vancouver Okinawa Taiko
2nd floor
Matsu Room (201) Kids Zone 11:00am to 4:00pm
Crochet • ‘Spring’ kabuto helmet making • Stop-motion animation • Origami and more!
Tatami Room (240) Kimono dressing & photo opportunity by Satsuki-kai ($30 and up)
Tsubaki Room (201) Shiatsu for Charity by Canadian Shiatsu Society of BC
Food & Beverage Vendors 11:00am to 4:00pm
Purchase Sakura Bento box! $15+Tax while quantities last.
Benkei Ramen • Hatchan Tako Yaki • MOGU: Japanese-style sandwiches & karaage • Coconama Chocolate
Japanese Crepe Sasuke • Cabalen Filipino Food & Sweets • Damien’s Belgian Waffles
Craft & Arts Sale (1st Floor Lobby & 105) 11:00am to 4:00pm
Visit our Museum Gift Shop! • Art by Gunilla: acrylic paintings glass bowls, plates
Washi Art & Accessories: art work and washi accessories • Scandinavian Community Centre: birch bark
boxes, Finish heritage craft • Mulberry Jam: chiyogami paper & products • Burnaby Japanese Language
School: Craft goods • Linda Designs: hand created jewellery items in sterling silver• Beads-ya: handmade
beaded jewelry • Perfection: handmade colorful and unique tagua jewelry • Chado Tea House
MHD trading CO: jewelry, scarf, bags • Pacwest Import/Export Ltd: kimono, obi, hair accessories, purse, tabi
Kawaii Bonsai: miniture bonsai • Mom’s Care Natural Handmade Soap
Mikari décor Jewelrey: pearl products & gem leather accessories
A Little bit of Nordic: photograph cards of Norway and local BC & Nordic wood carving
Euro Designs: scarfs and tapestry bags