One Thousands Cranes For Peace Taiko & Karaoke Festival May 30, 2008

To purchase tickets by credit card, call (808) 532-2649.

OR send a check with your name and the number of tickets to:

Pacific Buddhist Academy
Attn: Taiko Festival
1710 Pali Hwy
Honolulu, HI 96813

Tickets will be held at Will Call.

On Friday, May 30, 2008 starting at 6:30 PM at the Pearl City Cultural Center, the students of the Pacific Buddhist Academy will present the 2nd Annual Taiko & Karaoke Festival, One Thousand Cranes for Peace. Special guests will include student singer Talia Char, Okinawan Lion Dance by Jon and Darlene Itomura, singers Craig Shimizu, Amy Katsumoto, and Charlyne Tom, the Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin Dharma School Taiko Ensemble, and Okinawan dance by Ann Moribe and family. The highlight of the evening will be a performance of six taiko pieces by the PBA Performance Taiko Ensemble. All proceeds will benefit the Pacific Buddhist Academy Taiko Program.

At the Pacific Buddhist Academy, taiko is a required course for freshmen and an elective thereafter. Through practice and performance, students develop concentration and self-discipline, they become more physically fit, and develop confidence in their artistic abilities. Most importantly, students develop awareness of their egocentric attachments and fundamental interdependence, two central Buddhist principles.

The theme for this year’s festival, One Thousand Cranes for Peace, is inspired by the poignant story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl stricken with leukemia after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and her courageous struggle to heal. Through her actions she inspired millions of people around the world to work for a more peaceful world.

“Peace is something we may strive to achieve, but are never quite able to grasp,” said PBA taiko Sensei, Jay Toyofuku. “Our hope that this concert will raise the awareness of those attending that we can each do something that brings about a peaceful vibration. Even simple things like a walk in nature or the sharing of good music can bring a sense of calm.”

Official Website: http://www.pacificbuddhistacademy.org/news.htm