5,000 Orchids to Grace Downtown as Japan Week L.A. Continues
While Pasadena may be noted for its roses and Washington for its cherry blossoms, a bit of downtown Los Angeles will bloom with exotic orchids this weekend.
More than 5,000 orchids, from common varieties to rare plants costing hundreds of dollars, will be featured in the East West Orchid Show today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the New Otani Hotel & Garden and the Weller Court shopping center, 2nd and San Pedro streets.
The free show will be part of Japan Week L.A., a celebration of the extraordinary friendship and bond between Japan and Los Angeles.
The 30 commercial growers and 12 Southland societies participating in this year’s show are designing their displays around the theme “reflections of Japan.”
“They’ll range in size from table tops to mor than 100 square feet,” explained show manager Thea Uota. Because the show is sanctioned for official American Orchid Society and Orchid Digest judging, participants will be competing for awards and trophies and many of the displays will be quite elaborate.
“Most of the displays will be traditionally themed--featuring bridges, bamboo, other Japanese flowers and origami--but a few will be based on modern designs and use materials such as black lacquer,” Uota said.
In addition to their display, each of the commercial growers will have a booth in the Weller Court Shopping Center offering plants for sale.
The event will also include lectures and demonstrations giving tips on orchid growing, potting, breeding and corsage-making.
Lectures and slide presentations relating to orchid culture, rare species and the history of orchids will also be presented, along with displays of orchid-related items.
There will be Japanese cultural performances by Tateo Takahashi and the UCLA Gagaku Ensemble at 1:30 p.m. both days in Weller Court.
Takahashi will be featured playing the Tsugaru samisen, a traditional Japanese string instrument played in Northern Japan. Gagaku is ancient Japanese court music and dance.
Other public events during the celebration of this second Japan Week L. A. include:
The Masahiko Tokuda Exhibition and companion Contemporary Japanese Prints Exhibition at the DEN Japanese Art Salon, Wells Fargo Building, 444 S. Flower St., Los Angeles. Both free exhibits will be open through Oct. 6, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Another free exhibit, “Japanese Calligraphy, Works by Contemporary Masters,” is on display at the Bridge Gallery, Los Angeles City Hall, 201 N. Main St. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. through Oct. 2.
Sunday marks the public opening of the Pavilion for Japanese Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $4.50 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and students and $1.50 for children (5 through 12).
In connection with the pavilion opening, L. A. Matsuri Taiko Drummers will give free performances in the Times Mirror Central Court of the museum at 11 a.m. and at 12:30, 2:30 and 4 p.m. Also John Rosenfeld will lecture on “Innovation and Eccentricity in Japanese Art of the Early Modern Era” at 1 p.m. in the museum’s Leo S. Bing Theatre. The lecture fee is included in the basic admission charge.
The Leo S. Bing Theatre at the L. A. County Art Museum will also host three concerts: “Bing Concert--Traditional Japanese Music and Dance” at 8 p.m. Sunday evening. Admission is $2, $1 for museum members. “Monday Evening Concert--An Evening of Contemporary Japanese Music,” Monday at 8 p.m. and “Ima Concerts,” Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. Admission is $8, $4 for museum members, senior citizens and students for the “Monday Evening” and “Ima” concerts. For more ticket information, call (213) 857-6010.
Bunraku: National Puppet Theatre of Japan will appear at the Japan America Theatre, Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles. Performances are scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.; next Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 and $35.
The Japan Week L.A. 1988 Invitational Judo Tournament will be at the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Church gymnasium, 815 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, Oct. 2. Registration and weigh-in will be at 7:30 a.m.; competition will run throughout the day.
