“I was dumbfounded and entranced and thrilled by the whole production. When the written word is translated into […] song and acting […] it becomes more than an expansion, it becomes another art form.”
— Joy Kogawa to Nikkei Voice
upon seeing the musical for the first time
Osaka troupe brings Joy Kogawa’s book to Vancouver
Karakoro to perform the musical of “Naomi’s Tree” in August
Date: Sunday, August 11, 2024
Time: 3PM (doors open at 2:30PM)
Location: Vancouver Japanese Language School Heritage Hall, 487 Alexander St
Tickets: Adults: $10, children under 12: $5
About this event:
This summer, Karakoro brings the musical Naomi’s Tree to Vancouver. The story, based on Joy Kogawa’s 2008 children’s book, follows a cherry tree brought from Japan and nurtured over generations, becoming a special friend to Naomi. When war breaks out, Naomi and her family are sent away, but the cherry tree waits for her return.
With 72 performers ranging from children to seniors, Karakoro, founded in 1980 in Osaka, spreads a message of friendship and world peace through their performances. They aim to raise awareness about the consequences of conflicts like those in Israel-Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, and the Japanese Canadian Internment during WWII.
Karakoro’s Naomi’s Tree will be performed at the Vancouver Japanese Language School on Sunday, August 11, as part of a community project sponsored by the Japanese Canadian Legacies Fund.
On the Calendar:
The World’s Place in Us: Poetry Workshop with Writer-in-Residence Alvin Pang
Date: Thursday, July 25, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM PDT
Location: 1450 W 64th Ave, Vancouver
A unique opportunity to connect Vancouver’s vibrant communities with the innovative contemporary poetry scene of Singapore, this poetry workshop is led by Alvin Pang, our July writer-in-residence.
AGM: August 29, 2024
This year’s meeting promises to be particularly noteworthy, as we have some significant updates and changes in store. We look forward to sharing these developments with you and discussing the future direction of our organization.
Stay tuned for more details.