Rob Base gears up for Wizard World’s Big Apple Comic Con and Rob talks about Japan Relief Fund
Japan Society
Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival! Japan Society’s Uki Uki Nights Drink, Dance & Cosplay!
Ahhh, springtime in the city-how I love thee. We’re highlighting two events that appeal to day-trippers and nighthawks alike. The first is Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s 30th Annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival April 30 – May 1. The all-ages, 2-day event celebrates traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through live performances, art workshops and exhibits and tree gazing the BBG’s ever-impressive cherry blossom garden. The New York Anime Festival staff will be at the event to say hello, hand out prizes throughout the day and conduct a haiku contest! We’ll select the 2 best haikus, 1 from the Sakura Matsuri entries and 1 from Twitter participants (the official hashtag is #nyafhaiku). Each winner will receive a bag of goodies including DVDs, books and tickets to attend the New York Anime Festival at New York Comic Con.
If you’d rather stay away from nature’s allergies, check out Japan Society’s Uki Uki Nights Drink, Dance & Cosplay party going down May 8 from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. It’s a sassy mix of dance, art exhibit, cosplay parade and prize giveaways courtesy of our own New York Anime Festival’s Apple Kissa Maid Café attendants! This event is also free to attend, not too shabby!
Speaking of whimsical class at conventions, Apple Kissa is drafting new maids and butlers to help out at New York Anime Festival at New York Comic Con. Speak to Nikki (she’ll be at both events) to get the latest on the application requirements.
Japan: relief banner
As the world copes with the events that lead to massive devastation in and around northern Japan, help is never an option, it’s a necessity. Times like these we look to the help of others. Kindness isn’t a word that should be used lightly.
For the hundreds of thousands of Japanese who are either hurt, homeless, or worse, the compassion of people is crucial.
Donating isn’t a chore, it isn’t a good deed, it is essential in the survival of a nation who has done much to help all of us live our lives better. Take a look around your modern family home. What do you see?
Your TV? …more than likely Japanese. Your cell phone, your microwave, or even your video game system are all more than likely Japanese.
Japan has always been a part of our culture. Many great things that we take for granted are Japanese. The next time you sing in a karaoke bar, eat sushi, watch Anime or read a Manga, all these things are rooted in Japan.
Our collective pop culture is mostly Japanese and we can do more to insure survival for them by giving what little you can.
If you are willing to pay 30 bucks for a Blu Ray or 60 bucks for a PS3 game, giving as little as 10 shouldn’t be anything. It will go a long way. This isn’t a free hand out, this is a chance for Japan to get back on the road to recovery. Taking time to thank the culture that gave us the 60’s hit song Sukiyaki, animated gold like Astroboy, Gigantor, Speed Racer, Battle of the Planets.
Toys like Shogun Warriors and what would become the Transformers and Gobots along with millions of others.
The world of sound with Walkman and cds. Years of our lives staying up playing Nintendo, Sega and Atari.
I can’t think of a time without Japan in it.
For everyone who supports, please proudly display this banner on your blog or website.
Make it your profile image. Let the world know that we help and that we care!
Japan Society to raise money for Japan relief
Japan Earthquake Relief Fund
Japan Society has created a disaster relief fund to aid victims of the Tohoku earthquake in Japan. Over the years, Japan Society has partnered with several Japanese and American non-profits working on the frontlines of disaster relief and recovery. Your generous tax-deductible contributions will go to organizations that directly help victims recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan on March 11, 2011.
Click here to donate Support if you can !
Japan hit by magnitude 8.9 earthquake
A magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Friday, shaking office buildings in Tokyo and setting off a devastating tsunami that swept away cars and boats. The quake — the world’s fifth-largest since 1900, according to the U.S. Geological Survey — struck at 2.46 p.m. local time.
There were reports of injuries in Tokyo as officials tried to assess damage, injuries and deaths from the quake and tsunami, but there were no immediate details. Japanese television showed aerial footage of an ominous 13-foot muddy wave washing across land along the coast near the epicenter.
In various locations, live TV coverage showed massive damage from the tsunami, with dozens of cars, boats and even buildings being carried along by waters. A large ship swept away by the tsunami rammed into a breakwater in Kesennuma city in Miyagi prefecture. Waves could be seen splashing into city streets and over bridges.
All trains in Tokyo were stopped, and black plumes of smoke rose over the skyline. Office workers rushed out of their buildings. Subways were halted, trapping commuters underground. In the nation with the world’s third-largest economy, all airports were closed