Japanese American New Year celebration on 1/31 - $12 adults

Mochitsuki will welcome the Year of the Tiger with the 14th annual Japanese American New Year celebration in a new location in downtown Portland. Located at SW 15th and Morrison along the MAX line, the Scottish Rite Center features a beautiful theater and ballroom in a historic Portland building. At 1:30 PM, there will be a single Mochitsuki Stage Show in the theater. There will be storytelling by favorite Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo and Japanese dance by the Sahomi Tachibana Dancers and Fujinami-kai. Celebrate with the taiko drums of Portland Taiko, Tanuki Taiko and Takohachi Taiko, along with lively mochi pounding by Utsuki-kai to welcome the new year with a traditional gathering of the community. Tickets for the 1:30 PM Mochitsuki Stage Show are $12 for adults, $9 for students and seniors (62 and older), and $5 for children (under 12). Children under 2 are free. Doors open from noon to 4 PM for the Cultural Fair throughout the rest of the Scottish Rite Center. Dozens of community organizations will provide hands-on activities and displays in the Cultural Fair, and community performers will enliven the Community Stage. There will be an opportunity to try pounding mochi with a wooden mallet and to sample the sticky rice cakes made in contemporary mochi machines. Gathering with friends and family to make and eat mochi is an auspicious start to the year. Tickets to the stage show include admission to the Cultural Fair. Otherwise, the suggested donation is $4 for individuals, $2 for children or $10 per family to participate in the Cultural Fair. Tickets are available online through Box Office Tickets at http://pdxtix.net/mochitsuki or at their walk-up location at the Hollywood Theater at 4122 SE Sandy Blvd from 1 PM to 9 PM. Tickets are also available at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, 121 NW Second Avenue in Old Town, (503) 224-1458. Please contact us at info@mochitsuki.org for detailed information about wheelchair access to the event or any other questions. Mochitsuki 2010 is sponsored by Japanese American Citizens League Portland Chapter, Konko Church of Portland, Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Portland Taiko. We are generously supported by the Japanese Ancestral Society and the Consulate General of Japan in Portland.