Oregon Reads 2009 Programming Ideas

Below you will find a list of programming ideas of all kinds! Some ideas are great for libraries that have little to no resources, other ideas may require a large space and performance fees. Your Oregon Reads 2009 programs should explore or celebrate the diversity of people in Oregon, their experiences in Oregon, and how they impact Oregon. Remember, this is a community reading program so talk to people and organizations in your community that you can partner with.

Taiko

Taiko is the Japanese word for drum. In ancient Japan, taiko were used in battle, to signal various activities in villages, court music, theater, and religious ceremonies. The modern art form developed in the 1950s, and is rooted in these Japanese traditions. In the 1960s American taiko became a symbol for the reparation of Japanese American internment.

Click here for information on Oregon Taiko centers

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Fujinami Kai School of Japanese Dance

The Fujinami Kai School of Japanese Dance was founded in Portland in 1958 by Madame Kanriye Fujima. The founder was trained and received her master certification to teach and perform from the Fujima school in Japan, and immigrated to the United States to teach odori, traditional Japanese dance. The Fujinami Kai School of Japanese Dance recently celebrated their 50th anniversary!

Fujinami Kai School of Japanese Dance
Contact: Barbara Uyesugi
(503) 282-2094

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Kimonos

Toshima Tanaka is a local kimono expert and collector. She has an extensive collection of Japanese kimono. Oregonians hire her to dress them for wedding and other special events. In 2007, she curated an exhibit of historic kimonos at the Portland Japanese Garden.

Toshimi Tanaka
1538 NW Caitlin Terrace
Portland, OR 97229
(503) 671-0388

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Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center Exhibit

The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center is developing a traveling exhibit for libraries that will relate to themes in Stubborn Twig. More information will be coming, but for now you can learn more about the Nikkei Center and their work at http://www.oregonnikkei.org/.

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Movie Night

Show A Family Gathering by Lisa Yasui and facilitate a discussion about the film, and the Oregon experience.

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Haiku Workshop

Find a local expert, poet, or teacher to lead a haiku writing workshop based on May Sky: There is Always Tomorrow: An Anthology of Japanese American Concentration Camp Kaiko Haiku by Violet Kazue De Cristoforo.

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Local Oral History Night

Identify 3 to5 community members who have expertise, experience, and good public speaking skills to share their oral histories with the rest of the community.

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Local History Exhibit

Invite community members to lend their historically interesting or significant artifacts, realia, or other objects to be put together in a display at the library.

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Local Culture Night

Partner with local cultural organizations, like Somali Community Services Coalition, to present a lecture, performance, exhibit, discussion, or fun night.

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Local Experts Showcase

Identify local artists, musicians, dancers, authors, poets, historians, and educators who you know are good performers or presenters and invite them to do a program at your library.

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