Coming up on January, 14 2017:  Tucson Japanese Festival (featuring New Year’s mochi pounding) 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pima Community College Downtown campus, 1255 N. Stone Ave (NW corner of E. Speedway Blvd.) in Tucson. Sponsored by SAJCC (Southern AZ Japanese Cultural Coalition), Odaiko Sonora taiko drummers, Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson.

Celebrate the New Year of the Rooster with Mochi (rice) pounding, Japanese cultural activities, games, calligraphy & crafts, taiko drumming, martial arts performances, ikebana displays, food (plus takoyaki booth).   $5 admission fee, children under 5 years are free.  If willing to help, please email communications@southernazjapan.org.

See www.facebook.com/tucsonmochi/ for updates — door prizes and schedule of performances.  Many thanks to our donors for gift certificates received from Ginza Sushi, Yoshimatsu, Sushi on Oracle, Sushi Cho, Sushi Zona, & Samurai Japanese restaurants and Bing’s Boba Tea– to be given away as door prizes. Another donor for this festival is H.I.S. International Tours Inc. which offers many tours to Japan.