Obonfest 2009
Oregon Buddhist Temple's Obonfest 2009 will be held on Saturday August 1, 2009 from 4:00 pm to 9:00pm. Obon is an annual Japanese festival commemorating one's ancestors.
Click here to see the photo album of last year's festivities.
Join us for food, gifts, entertainment and dancing. This year's Obonfest features -- Food items: yakisoba, yakiniku, yakitori, shave ice, manju, chirashi sushi, beer garden, soft drinks, Spam musubi
Program: Tanuki Taiko, Portland Taiko*, Martial Arts Demonstration, Temple Talks, Bon Odori (public dance)
Others: Omiyage shop, T-shirt sale, children's corner, outside vendors, raffle
*Portland Taiko's appearance is funded in part by the Autzen Foundation and the Oregon Arts Commission.
You can order a lantern with your ancesteor's name written in Japanese caligraphy to be hung at the festival (click for order form).
Each year we prepare for OBONFEST, by practicing the dances that close the festival. It is an all-comers dance, so everyone is invited to join in the fun. It can be more enjoyable if you know the dances, and the practices themselves are great.
We are fortunate to have Sahomi Tachibana to teach us the dances and lead the practices. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning on July 14, 2009 and running for 3 weeks until July 30, 2009, we learn the history of each dance, practice the choreography, and enjoy some low impact exercise. Practices are held at the temple and start at 7 p.m. and go until 9 p.m. Great friendships are made, and everyone has a delightful time.
Information on Bonodori (Obon Dances)
Lessons are free and all ages are welcome. No experience is necessary. Come join us for one or all of the practices, kick up your heels, and prepare for OBON. Don't worry if you can't get to the practices, still plan on dancing with us at the festival. Just dance!
