What are GESCA’s Cultural Events?
It is our way of sharing the art / culture / foods / life experiences of the Japanese with our community. Our dream is to have regular events, classes / workshops, and continue our yearly festival. Through our Cultural Events we will provide a taste of Japan to East County.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact us.
The Evolution of GESCA’s Cultural Events
In May 2012 GESCA hosted it’s first cultrual event under the events original name of ‘Skosh’ at the Greater Gresham Baptist Church (now Pathway Church) located nearly 3 miles from Main City Park. Scheduled for 2 hours, they hoped for at least 5 demonstration tables and 50 guest. However, they were suprised when over 200 visitors showed up. Over 75 volunteers showed their collections, shared their stories and skills, and guided visitors from place to place. For entertainment they:
- Debuted the Portland State Taiko Ensemble’s first performance
- Shared the plans for the Gresham Japanese Garden – Tsuru (crane) Island’s renovation project …
- Displayed several collections: kokeishi dolls (cylinder shape without arms); amigurumi (crochet animals); and bonsai plants.
- Provided demonstrations in food, origami, and kimono dressing.
- Mt. Hood Community College shared info about their Japanese program and club.
- Reynolds High School and Gresham High School shared information on their Japanese language programs.
- Stories were shared from the internment of the Japanese during WWII.
- Clarence Mershone brought his books that told about his life on the Sandy River and the many Japanese families who were his neighbors.
Our event moved to MHCC in 2013 and we added a full entertainment program; Storytelling, Japanese traditional dance, Koto (13 string zither type instrument), and brought in Portland Taiko (drums). MHCC students hosted a program for children, with lots of activities and a chance to try new foods. Several craft people joined to share their talents: bunka (Japanese embroidery), haiku (Japanese poetry), anime / manga (art style), and 3-D origami. Games were shared: Hana Fuda and Go. Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grill sold yaki soba. The internment program was enlarged and we had internees talk about their experiences. Books were sold by local authors who wrote about that time, Densho the oral history project was accessed via internet so we could view videos of internees, and there was a nice conversation area for one-to-one discussions.
The third year, 2014 we found our home…Gresham Main City Park turned out to be the perfect setting for this event since Tsuru Island is right there. This was our first outdoor event. We cut back on the entertainment, increased foods that were sold, brought in community activists and environmental organizations. There were speakers, tours of the garden and a plant sale. GESCA added activities such as calligraphy, koto, and dance. See how to be connected in the sidebar.
Get Connected with the Culture of Japan
We will be offering classes and workshops for students and adults; food demonstrations, speakers, and whatever interests the community. Come back to this site to see what is going on. Contact us with your ideas or if you are interested in, or would like to sponsor an activity.