Dancers at VJCC's 2014 Summer Festival. (Rafu Shimpo photo)
Dancers at VJCC’s 2014 Summer Festival. (Rafu Shimpo photo)

Venice Japanese Community Center hosts its annual Natsu Matsuri (Summer Festival) on June 27 and 28. Admission is free.

This two-day event is the center’s biggest public event as well as fundraiser each year. Funds raised subsidize a variety of cultural, service and sports activities offered to the community. It is also an opportunity to showcase Japanese/Japanese American culture, have a great time with family, and see old friends and new.

The festival will feature a variety of demonstrations such as judo, karate, kendo and taiko. There will also be ondo dancing each evening.

Exhibits include, bonsai, ikebana (flower arrangement), shodo (calligraphy), sumi-e (ink painting), and watercolor.

Food booths will also be prominent and include teriyaki chicken, sushi, udon, and beef short ribs, just to name a few. There will also be many game booths for the kids to enjoy.

Dates: Saturday, June 27, noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday, June 28, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: Venice Japanese Community Center, 12448 Braddock Dr., Los Angeles (one block west of Centinela Boulevard, half a mile north of the 90 Freeway)

Demonstration Schedule

Saturday, June 27

1:30 p.m.: Gakuen

2 p.m.: Aikido

2:30 p.m.: Judo

3 p.m.: Iaido

3:30 p.m.: Kendo

4 p.m.: Line dance

4:30 p.m.: Karate

5 p.m.: Introduction of Miss Western L.A. and Scholarship Awards

5:30 p.m.: Taiko

6 p.m.: Ondo

7 p.m.: Donut-Eating Contest

Sunday, June 28

1:30 p.m.: Hula

2 p.m.: Shodo

2:30 p.m.: Ikebana

3:30 p.m.: Odori

3:30 p.m.: Karate

4 p.m.: Judo

4:30 p.m.: Aikido

5 p.m.: Taiko

5:30 p.m.: Ondo