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Oregon Reads Events at North Plains Public Library
Oregon Reads 2009
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Portland Taiko Drumming Concert
Portland Taiko is a premiere North American taiko ensemble.
Taiko (the Japanese word for drum and the name of the art form) has its roots in ancient Japanese tradition. It was used in religious ceremonies, community festivals and theater. American Taiko became a powerful voice during the struggle for redress of the Japanese American Internment.
According to the Idaho Statesman, “it shakes your body to the core. It’s layer upon layer upon layer of drumming and music and sound. The space will vibrate. The chairs will vibrate. You will vibrate to your core. And you’ll want more. Witness the drama and artistry of Portland Taiko.”
Jessie Mays Community Hall
30975 NW Hillcrest, North Plains
Find it!Friday, February 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Film night: Snow Falling on Cedars
Based on the award winning novel, this riveting mystery takes place in the Pacific Northwest and deals with prejudice towards Japanese-Americans after WWII.
Japanese American Kabuo Miyomoto is arrested in 1954 for the murder of a fellow fisherman, Carl Heine. Miyomoto’s trial, which provides the focal point to the film, stirs memories of past relationships and events. The trial illuminates the grief of loss, the sting of prejudice triggered by World War II, and the imperatives of conscience. The film poetically evokes the beauty of the land while revealing the harshness of war, the nuances of our legal system, and the injustice done to those interned in U.S. relocation camps.
North Plains Senior Center
30955 NW Commercial St. Find it!Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Origami "Cranes for Peace" Art Project
As part of this year’s Oregon Reads program, the Friends of North Plains Public Library are organizing an art project using origami. In Japan, origami cranes are often given as a symbol of friendship. The crane symbolizes long life, prosperity and good health and recently has become a symbol of peace throughout the world.
During the month of February, our goal is to fold hundreds of cranes and display them in the library. We invite you to fold as many cranes as you can. No prior experience with origami is necessary. On your crane(s) you may write a wish promoting peace, prosperity and good health to friends, neighbors, loved ones and people around the world.
We will hold an Open House Workshop on February 7th, 2009 from 1 to 4 pm at the North Plains Library.
Or you can fold your crane(s) at home, using a piece of plain white (or colored) paper and following the Origami Crane Directions which include a video tutorial. Then drop them off at the library.
North Plains Public Library
31334 NW Commercial St., North Plains(503) 647-5051
Find it!Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 2:00 PM
The Internment of Japanese-Americans during WW II
Henry Sakamoto will speak from personal experience of the internment of 112,581 Japanese-Americans during WWII. Born and raised in Portland, he was a teenager in 1942 when he and his family were among the 3,700 persons of Japanese ancestry detained and confined behind barbed wires and under military guard at an assembly center now known as the Expo Center, before being taken to the Minidoka Idaho Internment Camp (one of 10 camps). This was part of the total evacuation and internment of 112,581 persons of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast of the United States — including U.S. citizens — as well as legal immigrants. All this without being charged with a crime or given due process under the law.
Henry Sakamoto is the president of Japanese Ancestral Society of Portland and co-founder of the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center.
St. Edwards Church
10990 NW 313th Ave, North Plains Find it!Friday, February 13, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Film night: Tampopo
Truck drivers Goro and Gun are in search of some good eats and run into a widow who is trying to run a ramen shop. Unfortunately, she’s not doing too well so Goro and some unlikely guides offer her some sage advice and help her on her way to becoming a true ramenista. The story is punctuated with some vignettes about the social aspects of eating and our behavior with food. In Japanese with English subtitles.
North Plains Senior Center
30955 NW Commercial St. Find it!Monday, February 16, 2009 at 7:00 PM
History and Demonstration of Bonsai
Bill and Barbara Duerden, from the Sunset Bonsai Club will show their expertise on growing and cultivating Bonsai.
North Plains Public Library
31334 NW Commercial St., North Plains(503) 647-5051
Find it!Friday, February 20, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Film night: Shall We Dansu
Here’s the original Japanese version of the comedy treat that had critics and audiences cheering all across America ... and inspired the new Hollywood hit starring Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez. A middle-aged workaholic’s incredibly dull life takes a funny turn when he signs up for a ballroom dance class — just to meet the sexy dance teacher. But when he finally muscles up the nerve for lessons he winds up with a different instructor and her colorfully eccentric class of beginners! And now he’ll have to step lightly — and do some fancy footwork — if he expects to keep his new secret passion from his family and friends! You’ll love every minute of this crowd-pleasing motion picture! In Japanese with English subtitles
North Plains Senior Center
30955 NW Commercial St. Find it!Monday, February 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM
The Art of Japan
Chris Lantz will present an art history slideshow. The topic will be a brief history of the Japanese woodblock print and its influence on European and American artists of the 19th and 20th century. Chris is a graphic designer with an art history background.
North Plains Public Library
31334 NW Commercial St., North Plains(503) 647-5051
Find it!Friday, February 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Film night: Madame Butterfly
Madame Butterfly is the heart-wrenching story of a beautiful young geisha who sacrifices her family, her religion and, ultimately, her life for her American husband. Butterfly is the young bride of Lieutenant Pinkerton, who buys Butterfly’s love while stationed in Japan with no intention of ever taking her home to America.
North Plains Senior Center
30955 NW Commercial St. Find it!Friday, March 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM
A Family Gathering screening
This award-winning documentary is about the Yasui family, featured in Stubborn Twig.Silences—the stuff of assumptions and confusion—is a legacy inherited by many grandchildren of Japanese Americans interned during WWII. Shortly after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Masuo Yasui, a respected figure of Hood River, Oregon, was arrested by the FBI as a 'potentially dangerous enemy alien.' In A Family Gathering, Lise Yasui, a granddaughter that Masuo never knew, shows that courageous journeys into the past can bring greater understanding of family and personal history to the family.
North Plains Senior Center
30955 NW Commercial St. Find it!