BCSF’s 77th Ginza Bazaar This Weekend

BCSF’s Rev. Ron Kobata among the dancers at last year’s Bon Odori.

SAN FRANCISCO — The 77th Ginza Bazaar will be held at Buddhist Church of San Francisco, 1881 Pine St. (at Octavia), San Francisco, on Saturday, July 25, from 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bon Odori street dancing will take on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. No experience necessary. If possible, dancers are asked to bring sensu (folding fan), uchiwa (round fan), tenugui (towel) and kachi kachi (Japanese castanets).

Cultural activities will include taiko, ikebana, acupressure, Japanese folk music, “calligraffiti,” kendo, hula, and a BCSF temple tour.

The bazaar will also feature a silent auction, arts and crafts sale, a raffle, kids’ games, children’s and Japanese American book readings, and bingo.

On the menu are BCSF’s famous teriyaki chicken, sushi, beef curry, chirashi, short ribs, hibachi tofu, baked goods, Japanese beer, sake, and more.

The schedule (subject to change) is as follows:

Saturday, July 25

12:30 p.m.: GenRyu Arts Taiko opening performance

12:45 p.m.: Opening service

1 p.m.: Ginza Bazaar officially opens with silent auction, raffle, bingo, Japanese food concessions, children’s games, booths in BCSF Gym, Stuart Hall

1:30-2 p.m.: Na Mele O Kaleo Ukulele Troupe

2-2:30 p.m.: Bon Odori dance practice

2:30-3:30 p.m.: Ikebana demonstration by Nobu Kurashige

3:30-4 p.m.: San Francisco Kendo Dojo demonstration

3:30-5 p.m.: Acupressure

4:30-4:45 p.m.: Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa San Francisco-Hula Halau

4:45 p.m.: Hondo tour

5-5:30 p.m.: Metta service

5:30-5:45 p.m.: Super Bingo

Sunday, July 27

11 a.m.: Bazaar opens with silent auction, raffle, bingo, Japanese food concessions, children’s games, booths

11 a.m.-6 p.m.: Photo booth

12-5 p.m.: Acupressure booth

12:30-1 p.m.: Jiten Daiko-BCSF Taiko

1-3 p.m.: Bon Odori and Ensohza Japanese Folk Music Ensemble

2-2:15 p.m.: BCSF Kids Taiko

4-4:30 p.m.: Hondo tour

5 p.m.: Silent auction closes

5-6 p.m.: Super Bingo

5:30 p.m.: BCSF and BWA raffles

Parking available at Japan Center Garage (enter from Geary or Post between Laguna and Webster). For more information, call (415) 776-3158 or visit www.bcsfweb.org.