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What is BJAF?
Through film, music, food, performance and visual art, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a blend of traditional and contemporary Japanese ideas, concepts and works. The event aims to create a sustainable platform for Japanese artists to perform and collaborate with Baltimore locals, while showcasing aspects of Japanese culture that are not easily available to the public. Location Station North Arts District - Baltimore, MD What is OTS Productions? Founded by Michael Young, OTS Productions is a Baltimore-based arts & entertainment organization that has been producing events in the US and Japan since 2008. BJAF is the culmination of OTS's years of working with and developing relationships with Japanese artists. |
ART FILM FOOD MUSIC CULTURE |
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APRIL 5
The Crown |
APRIL 6
Centre Theatre |
APRIL 7
Big Friendly Gallery |
Wednesday, April 5 - The Crown 1910 N Charles St
BACK BAR
6pm | Opening Reception in Back Bar featuring:
- Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Committee [Supporting Japanese Culture/Arts in Baltimore since 1979]
- Otakon [Asian Pop Culture Convention since 1994]
- Hoshi Island [Kawaii Accessories]
- Anime Ceramix [Ceramics Inspired by Anime, Manga, and Girl Culture]
- DMV Anime Watchers [MD/DC/VA based Anime Club]
- Baltimore Anime Denizens [Baltimore based Japanese Culture Club]
8pm | "Pulse Demon: Noise and Experimental Music from Japan" hosted by Sean Gray
RED ROOM
8pm | Doors
DJ sets all night by Genie
9:30pm | Burlesque performance by Maki Roll, Whiskey Joy & Betty O'Hellno
10:15pm | Kinbakushi performance by Tenma Haru & Reika
11:15pm | encore burlesque performance
BACK BAR
6pm | Opening Reception in Back Bar featuring:
- Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Committee [Supporting Japanese Culture/Arts in Baltimore since 1979]
- Otakon [Asian Pop Culture Convention since 1994]
- Hoshi Island [Kawaii Accessories]
- Anime Ceramix [Ceramics Inspired by Anime, Manga, and Girl Culture]
- DMV Anime Watchers [MD/DC/VA based Anime Club]
- Baltimore Anime Denizens [Baltimore based Japanese Culture Club]
8pm | "Pulse Demon: Noise and Experimental Music from Japan" hosted by Sean Gray
RED ROOM
8pm | Doors
DJ sets all night by Genie
9:30pm | Burlesque performance by Maki Roll, Whiskey Joy & Betty O'Hellno
10:15pm | Kinbakushi performance by Tenma Haru & Reika
11:15pm | encore burlesque performance
Thursday, April 6 - Centre Theatre 10 E North Ave
7pm | Doors
7:30pm | "Japanese Tea and You" (seminar & tasting) hosted by Rob Perry
9pm | New York Japan Cinefest
7pm | Doors
7:30pm | "Japanese Tea and You" (seminar & tasting) hosted by Rob Perry
9pm | New York Japan Cinefest
- Matcha: An Ippodo Story
Dir. Michael McAteer. 2015. USA. 7 min.
In Matcha: An Ippodo Story, director Michael McAteer transports viewers to Kyoto, Japan for an intimate matcha experience. - Take 8
Dir. Shinichirou Ueda. 2015. Japan. 20 min.
An independent filmmaker, Takao, is directing a film about a wedding starring his girlfriend, Akane. The film production is coming to a close, with one important scene left to shoot. The actor who was to play the father-of-the-bride is unable to make the shoot. No choice remains but to let Akane’s real father, Toru, play the role. But Toru wouldn’t give the bride and groom his blessing, in the movie and real life. - Tokyo Cosmo
Dir. Takahiro Miyauchi. 2015. Japan. 5 min.
A woman lives alone in Tokyo harboring feelings of loneliness. Her stuffed pig creates a world of imagination to cheer her up. - Fox Fears
Dir. Miyo Sato. 2015. Japan. 8 min.
On the evening of a village festival, a young boy goes to the festival with his friends and visits a clog shop. There he learns an old superstition about the fox. - Venom Therapy
Dir. Steven Murashige. 2015. USA. 18 min.
A family struggles with the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis as it affects a young wife and mother.The story chronicles the family’s journey with the treatment and unexpected results. - Fall Seven Times, Get Up Eight: The Japanese War Brides
Dir. Lucy Craft, Karen Kasmauski & Kathryn Tolbert. 2015. USA. 26 min.
Atsuko, Emiko and Hiroko were among tens of thousands of Japanese women who married their former enemies after World War II and landed in 1950s America knowing no one, speaking little English and often moving in with stunned in-laws. Their recollections are further refracted through the eyes of their Japanese-American daughters. Personal photographs and visuals from U.S archival sources help bring to life this fascinating episode in U.S history.
Friday, April 7th - Big Friendly Gallery Copycat Building
"天馬ハル 幻想 〜ROPEFANTASY〜" Exhibition Opening
photo prints of the works of Tenma Haru
7pm | Japanese food specialities by Matcha Time Cafe
7:30pm | "Sake: 2000 Years of Tradition" (seminar & tasting) by Tiffany Dawn Soto
9pm | Sumie Kaneko performance
10pm | Tenma Haru & Reika x Sumie Kaneko collaborative performance
"天馬ハル 幻想 〜ROPEFANTASY〜" Exhibition Opening
photo prints of the works of Tenma Haru
7pm | Japanese food specialities by Matcha Time Cafe
7:30pm | "Sake: 2000 Years of Tradition" (seminar & tasting) by Tiffany Dawn Soto
9pm | Sumie Kaneko performance
10pm | Tenma Haru & Reika x Sumie Kaneko collaborative performance
Performers
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Maki Roll
Known as "The Cosplay Cutie Turned Burlesque Beauty", Maki Roll is the sexy, salacious geek of your multiverse. When not playing dress up at conventions, the DC native can be seen stripping down all over the US and internationally. Maki has produced in venues throughout DC/MD/VA, adding her nerdy flair to everything she touches. |
Whiskey Joy
A true Baltimoron, Whiskey Joy "takes a little nip and does a little strip". As a burlesque performer/model/costumer, she brings sex appeal, ridiculousness and consensual hugs in equal parts; regularly distinguishing herself with audible thigh slaps. |
Betty O'Hellno
Betty O'Hellno is Baltimore's butter-faced burlesque beauty queen. As a queer drag artist, costume designer, corset enthusiast, and graphic designer, she believes whole-heartedly in the healing power of rhinestone sparkle, entrancing nipple tassels, and the positive celebration of the human body in all of its beautiful forms. |
Speakers
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Tiffany Dawn Soto
(Master Sake Sommelier) |
Rob Perry
(Japanese Tea Specialist) |
Sean Gray
(Japanese Music Lecturer) |
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Tiffany Dawn Soto, Master Sake Sommelier or kikzake-shi, was both the first American and the first woman to earn her title. A highly sought after educator on sake, Japanese whisky, beer and shochu, she lectures to more than 8,000 people annually. Her programs have been nominated for James Beard awards, while her other beverage programs have received Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast.
Official Website |
In addition to his day job as a videographer & editor, Rob has been an avid drinker of ryokucha (Japanese green tea) for over a decade. He has traveled to Japan multiple times, visiting major tea producing regions in search of high-quality products, especially shincha (first tea harvest of the year). For the last 7 years he has hosted seminars in the Baltimore/DC area, sharing his knowledge of green tea and urging others to make it a part of their everyday life.
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Sean Gray graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA in Sociology in 2010. He has done lectures on Japanese music subcultures such as Noise and Punk since 2014. He is the creator of the website “Is This Venue Accessible?” which details the accessibility of music venues across the globe. Sean is also a writer and has written for Pitchfork, Washington DC City Paper, and NPR's Bandwidth.fm.
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Tickets
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Access
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Advance Ticket sales have ended!
At Door: $12/day * All events are 18+ ** Attendees wishing to partake in the tasting portion of "Sake: 2000 Years of Tradition" on 4/7/2017 must be 21+ |
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Contact
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Links
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info@baltimorejapanartfest.com
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