Another successful Powell Street Festival has come and gone and I had so much fun!!
This year was my first time participating as an artist. I joined Emi Sasagawa, Akira Imai, and Kanon Hewitt for “Kids These Days,” a panel discussion featuring emerging queer Nikkei artists, where we talked about why we create art, representation, family, and defying cultural norms and expectations.
I also got to witness the strength of all-women taiko ensemble Jodaiko, cheer on my sister and my partner in the women’s sumo tournament, eat a ton of delicious food (#okonomiyaki, #teamgyoza) , listen to community members share stories in my sister (Kayla Isomura)’s super packed Suitcase Project event at the language school, chill with my qt babes, see family, and smack one of John Endo Greenaway’s taiko drums.
Also, the Tonari Gumi Gardeners sold 150 copies of Our Edible Roots!!! So amazing. If you missed that, Tonari Gumi Gardeners will still have this book for sale in the Tonari Gumi gift shop (42 W. 8th Ave, Vancouver), for order online, and at the official launch party this Fall. See my post listing other upcoming events where you can purchase this book.
Thank you to everyone involved this year ~ festival staff, volunteers, supporters, artists, vendors, community groups ~ for such wholesome & intergenerational fun times.