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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Kodo Performing in Kansas City

Kodo, the Legendary Japanese Taiko Drumming Ensamble from Sado Island, Japan, will be performing an all new show exploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum. 

Kodo strives to both preserve and re-interpret traditional Japanese performing arts.


"In Japanese the word "Kodo" conveys two meanings: Firstly, 'heartbeat' the primal source of all rhythm. The sound of the great taiko is said to resemble a mother's heartbeat as felt in the womb, and it is no myth that babies are often lulled asleep by its thunderous vibrations. Secondly, read in a different way, the word can mean "children of the drum," a reflection of Kodo's desire to play the drums simply, with the heart of a child." 



Tuesday, February 24, 2015
at the Lied Center of Kansas.  


Enjoy this video "Kodo - Live at the Acropolis"


Are you familiar with this Ensemble? Have you seen them perform? I would love to hear from you!

Visit Kodo's Webpage to learn more!
Image:  Kodo - Yatai2" by Don France 
Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Moving From Emptiness A Film

Moving From Emptiness, The Life and Art of a Zen Dude

 “Healing and heart opening… Like media as medicine.”

"This TRAILER is for the 69 minute feature documentary film: "Moving From Emptiness: The Life and Art of a Zen Dude" featuring Zen calligraphic artist Alok Hsu Kwang-han. Playful. Profound. Meditative and deeply healing, this film is a transformational experience."


"My house burned down
I see the moon
Now paint"
 ~Alok

Moving From Emptiness, The Life and Art of a Zen Dude is showing in Overland Park, KS at the Glenwood Arts Theater Oct. 24-30 – 4:15 daily

For more info go to Zen Dude Movie

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Royals Right Fielder Nori Aoki

Norichika Aoki on April 26, 2014.jpg
Royals Right Fielder Nori Aoki
Congratulations to the Kansas City Royals for making it to the World Series!
Kansas City is not alone in loving this team. The whole country has fallen in love with the Royals according to Hampton Stevens article in The Atlantic
"The Kansas City Royals' Huge Appeal!"
Newspapers from Seattle to Washington, D.C. have dubbed KC “America's Team.” Even overseas, The Independent (UK) noted that America is "falling in love with the Royals."
Part of that appeal is Norichika Aoki, the Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the *pennant-winning* Kansas City Royals.

Born in Japan, he played for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball before coming to the U.S. to play for the Milwaukee Brewers. Aoki is one of only four players to amass 200 or more hits in a single season in Japanese professional baseball.

On December 5, 2013, the Milwaukee Brewers traded Aoki to the Kansas City Royals for Will Smith. And we're happy he is here!

"Nori"Aoki, No. 23 right fielder, helped take the Royals to the World Series!

Aoki Saves The Royals  
10/2/14: Nori Aoki makes two fantastic run saving plays in the sixth and seventh innings of Thursday nights game against the Los Angeles Angels, one on a backup catch to Lorenzo Cain and another on a great recovery in the outfield. The next inning, with two outs and a runner on third, Aoki tracked a fly to make the diving catch.
  



"One of the best things about watching Aoki play is -- as tired as the cliche may be -- the joy he has on the field."  ~Cy Brown

Aoki celebrates With Fans
Watch as Aoki teases the fans after their winning game and tosses his jersey into crowd.
Oct 15, 2014


A few career highlights and awards
  • 2× NPB All-Star Game MVP (2006 Game 1, 2009 Game 1)
  • 6× Golden Glove Award (2006–2011) 
  • 7× NPB All-Star (2005 - 2011)
Are you an Aoki fan? 
I would love to hear from you in the comments below!
Click here to read more about Aoki.
Click here to read more about the Kansas City Royals



Nori Aoki Posters, Jerseys,
Signed Baseballs, Gifts







Image of  Nori Aoki on April 26, 2014 CC BY-SA 2.0 Keith Allison on Flickr

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Living with the Spirits

Living with the Spirits: Decorating Homes in Traditional China
at the Nelson-Atkins Gallery of Art

Laurence Sickman, the former curator and director who started the world-renowned collection of Chinese art at the Nelson-Atkins Gallery, acquired this collection of popular prints that is currently on display in Gallery 222. While living and studying in China from 1930 to 1935, he decorated his own home with the colorful prints. This installation re-creates the decoration of a traditional Chinese home.

The description of this exhibit says that during festival and seasonal occasions in China, family members select brightly colored prints to display on their doors, windows, walls and furniture. It states that these prints, called New Year Pictures (nianhua), heighten the cheerful holiday feeling.

A New Year Picture is a form of Chinese colored woodblock print, for decoration during the Chinese New Year Holiday, then later used to depict current events.

January 31, 2014–July 20, 2014
Gallery 222 -  Admission is Free

Image:  New Year picture/ Unknown, before 1900 public domain because its copyright has expired.

Happy Chinese New Year
 

 

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Happy Chinese Lunar New Year

Year of the Horse
Year of the Horse

Happy Chinese Lunar New Year!
Lunar New Year 2014 celebrations are expected to go on throughout the weekend, as the Chinese people usher in the year of the Horse.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - Chinese New Year celebration is Friday, January 31

"It begins tonight at Midnight. The year of the Green, Yang, Wood Horse. Celebrate by lighting a red candle tonight. Tomorrow wear your new red clothes, best jewels, no cleaning or use of sharp objects, put out a bowl of oranges for everyone and enjoy the wonderfully determined, free energy of the Horse. "
~Teresa Padilla
Feng Shui Many Blessings




Chinese New Year
asia-kc.com
Also known as the Spring Festival, the holiday lasts 15 days starting from January 31, 2014. This year its last day falls on Valentine's Day.

This is a time to wish for peace and happiness. Gong Hey Fat Choy means "wishing you to be prosperous in the coming year."

Chinese New Year officially falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. From late January to mid-February, Korea, Vietnam, Japan and other countries celebrate Lunar New Year.


updated 2/7/16

Saturday, October 19, 2013

KC World Citizen of the Year Award: Bob Chien

Congratulations, Bob Chien! You deserve this award for all the hard work you do promoting friendship between KC and Xi'an.

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013 at the 43rd annual Mayor's United Nations Day Dinner, Kansas City Mayor Sylvester James Jr. will present the 2013 Kansas City World Citizen of the Year Award to Robert (Bob) Chien, long-time advocate of closer China-U.S. relations, chairman of the Kansas City-Xi’an Sister City Committee and President of the Society for Friendship with China.

Here is the information about the event:
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013
InterContinental Hotel Ballroom
401 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64112
7:00 p.m. dinner, with 6:30 p.m. cash bar reception

Click Here For More Information and Registration

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Faces From China’s Past: Paintings for Entertainment and Remembrance

The Exhibit at the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum “Faces From China’s Past: Paintings for Entertainment and Remembrance” has been extended through December 09, 2012. Arrangements have been made for two Docent led tours planned for Sunday, October 14th, the first at 2:00 and the second at 2:45.

This is hosted by USCPFA and they need to know who is planning to come. So please contact me if you plan to be there.

Tours will meet in Kirkwood Hall and take about 45 minutes.  The exhibit gallery is small so there is not room for both groups to be in the gallery at the same time.  10 people are needed in order to have a Docent led tour.  Invite all your friends and neighbors to come with you.  It’s a good opportunity for them to enjoy a more informative visit.

The plan is to come in time to eat together in Rozzelle Court if You want to. Go through the serving line in Rozzelle Court and be ready to go on the tour of your choice; 2:00 or 2:45.  Those of you who can come early, go through the line, take time to enjoy your lunch and be ready to tour by 2:00 will go on the first one.  Those of you who cannot get there until later will go on the 2:45 tour. 

Rozzelle Court is open for brunch from noon until 3 pm on Sundays.  There will be some tables in the SW corner reserved for USCPFA from 1:00 to 3:00 for us to eat and visit until our tour time.  You will need to plan for standing in line time, especially “early on”.  Brunch will be on your own.  There are no reservations for lunch and therefore if you want to come for the tour only, it is certainly ok.  Admission to the Museum and the Painting Gallery is free.  Parking in the garage is $5 unless you are a Museum Member, then it is free with your card.  Members also get a discount on our meal, so bring your membership card.