Obonfest 2012 Festival - Oregon Buddhist Temple (Sat only)NEW

Obon is an annual Japanese festival commemorating one's ancestors. Traditionally it was believed that each year during Obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world to visit their relatives. For Obon, lanterns are hung in front of houses to guide the spirits, obon dances (bon odori) are performed, graves are visited and food offerings are made at house altars and temples. OBT holds an Obon festival every year on the first Saturday of August. There is entertainment, bon odori (open to anybody), children's area and food and gifts are available for purchase.

Obonfest is Here
Oregon Buddhist Temple will celebrate Obon Fest with plenty of great food, a Taiko performance, craft sales, and Bon Odori, which will begin at 6:30 p.m.  This year OBT will be hanging chochins (paper lanterns), which have been personalized with the names of deceased loved ones and their date of passing.

Background on Obon Fest
Each year we prepare for our OBONFEST, by practicing the dances that close the festival. It is an all-comers dance, so everyone is invited to join in the fun. It can be more enjoyable if you know the dances, and the practices themselves are great.

Schedule
Join us for food, gifts, entertainment and dancing. This year's Obonfest features -- Food items: yakisoba, yakiniku, yakitori, shave ice, manju, chirashi sushi, beer garden, soft drinks, Spam musubi Program: Tanuki Taiko, Portland Taiko*, Martial Arts Demonstration, Temple Talks, Bon Odori (public dance)

Vendors
Michiko Selby (Oshie art using chiyogami paper), Miwa McCree (massage), Kaori Oya (Shiatsu massage), Hiroshi Ogawa (Japanese Pottery), Margie Yap from Sweet Persimmon (handmade purses and meditation products), Karen Fullerton (notecards and art), Kinokuniya Bookstore (Japanese books, music, misc items) Others: Omiyage shop, T-shirt sale, children's corner, raffle

Date
August 4, 2012

Time
3:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Bon Odori
6:30 pm

Dance Practices for Obon Fest (Check Web site for practice schedule)
Dance practices will be held at the temple. 

Dance lessons to learn the traditional Obon dances will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 pm at the temple beginning in July and running for 3 weeks until August.

Lessons are free and all are welcome. No experience is necessary. Come join us for one or all of the practices, kick up your heels, and prepare for (Japanese) OBON. Don't worry if you can't get to the practices, still plan on dancing with us at the festival. Just dance!

Web Site Obon Fest
www.oregonbuddhisttemple.com

Event Title
Obonfest 2012 - Obon Fest Oregon Buddhist Temple Obon Festival (Sat only)

Location
Oregon Buddhist Temple, 3720 SE 34th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202

2012 Japanese Obon Festival & Bon Odori Schedule
http://www.japanese-city.com/calendar/events/p/obon-and-practice.php

[Please always confirm date & times, the schedule could change]