Nisei Week Events at JACCC

Makoto Taiko at last year’s Taiko Gathering. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)

As part of the second weekend of the Nisei Week Japanese Festival (Aug. 20-21), the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro St. in Little Tokyo, will present a series of events in the plaza. Free admission.

Food trucks will be available both days from 11 a.m. to 5 pm. The schedule of events is as follows:

Saturday, Aug. 20

• 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Rubik’s Cube Contest

• 2-3:30 p.m. — Day-Lee Foods Gyoza Contest

• 4:30-6:30 p.m. — Music by Shin Kawasaki

Shin Kawasaki

Sunday, Aug. 21

• 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. — The 23rd annual Taiko Gathering, featuring a dozen groups from throughout the L.A. area:

10:30-11 a.m. — Hikari Taiko (Norwalk)

11-11:30 a.m. — Yuujou Taiko (Cerritos)

11 a.m.-12 p.m. — Kodama Taiko (Pasadena)

12-12:30 p.m. — Makoto Taiko (Pasadena)

12:30-1 p.m. — Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko (South Bay)

1-1:30 p.m. — Kishin Daiko (East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center)

1:30-2 p.m. — Togen Daiko (Oxnard)

2-2:30 p.m. — Crespi Taiko (Encino)

2:30-3 p.m. — Asano Taiko U.S. (Torrance)

3-3:30 p.m. — Kyodo Taiko (UCLA)

3:30-4 p.m. — Yoki Daiko (Boyle Heights)

4-4:30 p.m. — Senryu Taiko (UC Riverside)

• 4:30-6:30 p.m. — Music by Shin Kawasaki

Visual and Cultural Arts at JACCC (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Both Days)

• Bonsai: Nampu-Kai in George J. Doizaki Gallery

• Calligraphy: Beikoku Shodo Kenkyukai in Garden Room A

• Kimekomi Japanese dolls: Yukari-Kai in Garden Room B

• Samurai store: Tetsugendo in Garden Room B3

For more information, visit www.jaccc.org.