Giving back through life-changing experiences. - Updated on 06/25/2024
Giving back through life-changing experiences. - Updated on 06/25/2024
About 50 members of Okinawan Club got together for a Brunch at South Point Casino’s Garden Buffet and had a great time eating and Yuntaku chatting this past weekend!
Special thanks to our AANHPI officers from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Office of Community Engagement team for joining us!
The officers are of Japanese, Filipino and Native Hawaiian descent from Hawaii! 🙆🏻♂️🥰☀️😊🇺🇸🎉
Okinawan Obon Dance Practice Schedule (Everyone is welcome! No membership is required/ No RSVP required - Open to friends, family members and community members. This is a club-wide Okinawan Obon dance practice! Please join us to keep the Okinawan and Japanese tradition going and pass down our cultural heritage to our children and future generations together while experiencing and learning the Okinawan culture! It's a friendly song to Children, seniors, friends, family members and everyone is welcome!
Location: Okinawan Community Center Address: 5240 S Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89118 We will be practicing a traditional Okinawan Obon dance called, "Tenyo-Bushi" Please check the YouTube link and perhaps start practicing. If you are interested in performing the taiko drum for this song, please text our secretary, Lynn Oshiro at (702) 608-3038.
https://youtu.be/vw9DX6DExQE?si=HaJnSw2Gj1fXjedh&t=2683 (44:36) -Tenyo-Bushi
DATE & TIME: Saturday, July 13, 2024 @ 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
LOCATION: Winchester Dondero Cultural Center Theater
3130 S. McLeod Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89121
Ticket is sold for $20. Please contact Junko Nakauchi at (808) 227-9688 if you would like to purchase a ticket and support Japanese culture!
Please see the upcoming Obon dance practice schedule attached. Everyone is welcome! Please invite your friends and family members to practice together. Grace is our Obon dance instructor and she is amazing! Come join us!
Obon Dance Practice Schedule, Saturdays from 10 am - 12 pm:
Practice Location: Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha 4110 N M.L.K. Blvd North Las Vegas, NV 89032
2024 Obon Festival will be held on August 24, 10 am - 4 pm Saturday
Location: Bill and Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane (behind the Meadows Mall)
Hosted by Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha (https://www.lvbs.org/)
35th Obon Festival will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024
Location: Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA
Address: 4141 Meadows Lane 89107
Obon Odori/Dancing
Cultural performances
Raffle drawings
Silent Auctions
Memorial Lanterns
Hosted by Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha (https://www.lvbs.org/)
15th Annual Aki Matsuri Japanese Festival by Japanese Festival Association of Nevada (JFAN) will be held on
October 12, 2024 Saturday 11 am - 9 pm
Location: Water Street Plaza
240 S. Water St. Henderson, NV 89015
Japanese Food, Kawaii Zakka & Crafts, Entertainment, Kids Corner, Ikebana Flower Arrangement, Sake Pavillion (21+) Odori and more!
Hosted by Japanese Festival Association of Nevada (JFAN)
Special thanks to Kaki South of Ninth Island Aunties and Dez CIbarra of Operation: Aloha Action for collaboration and serving our future Southern Nevada community!
Such a wonderful collaboration opportunity to provide some sweets and desserts at Shannon West Homeless Youth Center!
The youth residents are always excited and thankful to get sweets and desserts once a month from this project. Much Mahalo to Aunty Cathi and those who provide their donation and time.
We provided desserts and snacks and the youth residents were very thankful and shared their gratitude with us.
Next month, July 6 Sat, we will offer fresh fruit salad and soda. If you’d like to donate any sodas (canned or 2 liter bottle), please let me know.
The shelter is also in need of men’s clothes. If you have any men’s clothes (t-shirts, pants, shorts, underwear, winter clothes) in good and clean condition, please consider donating.
毎月、最初の土曜日にシャノンウェストホームレスセンターにデザートの寄付をしています。このホームレスシェルターは10代の若者が色んな理由で滞在する施設で、安全で若者たちに良くしてくれるとても良い施設です。
将来のネバダ州南部コミュニティに貢献してくれたナインスアイランドアンティーズ(ウチナーンチュ3世)の南キャシーさん、オペレーション: アロハ アクションのデズ チバラさんに特別に感謝します。 シャノン・ウェスト・ホームレス青少年センターでお菓子やデザートを提供できる素晴らしいコラボレーションの機会ででした。若者たちは普段は食事だけを受け取り、甘いものはもらえないので、このプロジェクトで月に一度お菓子やデザートをもらえることにいつも楽しみにしていて感謝しています。キャシーさんと、寄付と時間を提供してくださった方々に心から感謝します。 デザートや甘いものを提供したところ、子供たちは大変感謝し、私たちに感謝の気持ちを伝えてくれました。 来月7月6日(土)はフレッシュフルーツサラダとソーダをご用意いたします。炭酸飲料(缶または2リットルボトル)を寄付したい場合は、お知らせください。 このシェルター避難所では男性用の衣類も必要としています。状態の良い男性用の洋服(Tシャツ、パンツ、ショートパンツ、下着、冬物)をお持ちでしたら、ぜひ寄付をご検討ください。
HELP of Southern Nevada’s Shannon West Homeless Youth Center (SWHYC) provides services for at-risk youth, age 16-24, that are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. SWHYC provides safe and stable housing, basic needs/food, intensive case management, person centered case plan, housing stability plan, education assistance, employment assistance, assistance in transitioning to own apartment, addiction and mental health services, health and wellness, financial literacy, activities of daily living and supportive services. At capacity SWHYC can house 150 youth.
Our community partners, The Promise Las Vegas, The Hope, Na Hula and volunteers got together to provide food distribution, toiletry items, clothes water to help our un-housed community to ensure they receive what they need. Special thanks to Charles Herring of Na Hula for donating food items.
2024 NIA Easter Basket Project (March 16, 2024 Sat)
Special Thanks to our community partners for collaborations, especially our own Okinawan Club member, Cathi Minami of Ninth Island Aunties for putting together this event.
Our community partners, Asian Community Resource Center, Operation: Aloha Action and Ninth Island Aunties collaborated together to put over 100 Easter baskets and food baskets to distribute to low incomes families/children. The Easter food baskets will be distributed to Las Vegas Metro Police Department (Downtown Area Command, WestCare Nevada and 2 Clark County School Distribute classes as well as referrals from our partners.
Special Thanks to our team and partners, Ninth ISland Aunties, Operation: Aloha Action and 2 Scoops of Aloha Las Vegas Drive Inn for your support allowing us to make today happen.
Because of your kindness just over 100 children will receive something special this Easter. A gift made with lots of ALOHA!
2024年NIAイースターバスケットプロジェクト
協力してくれたコミュニティ パートナー、特にこのイベントを企画してくれた沖縄クラブのメンバーである Ninth Island Aunties の Cathi Minami に感謝します。
私たちのコミュニティ パートナーであるアジア コミュニティ リソース センター、オペレーション: アロハ アクション、およびナインス アイランド アンティーズが協力して、100 個を超えるイースター バスケットと食品バスケットを用意し、低所得の家族や子供たちに配布されます。イースターフードバスケットは、ラスベガスメトロ警察署(ダウンタウン地域司令部)ネバダ州ウェストケア、およびクラーク郡学校の2校のクラスの配布、およびパートナーからの紹介)に配布されます。私たちのチームとパートナー、Ninth Island Aunties、Operation: Aloha Action、および 2 Scoops of Aloha Las Vegas Drive Inn のサポートに感謝し、今日の実現を可能にしました。
あなたの親切のおかげで、このイースターには 100 人を超える子供たちが特別なものを受け取ることになります。 ALOHAをたっぷり使ったギフト!
At Las Vegas Okinawan Club, we strive to improve the lives of underprivileged children and individuals in our community by providing them with water, food, clothes, toiletry items and other items. Our aim is to break the cycle of poverty and give these children a chance at a better future. On behalf of Las Vegas Okinawan Club, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude for partnership with The Promise Las Vegas, Gene Haas Foundation and Asian Community Resource Center for their donation and partnership. This will have a significant impact on helping individduals and families in criss within the unhoused communiy as they make progress. Thank you so much for your kindness and. generosity!
Our team is made up of dedicated individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the world. From our volunteers to our board members, everyone at Las Vegas Okinawan Club is committed to our mission and the children we serve.
Dear our LGBTQIA+ Community Allies & Partners,
Thank you so much for coming to celebrate Pride Month together at the LGBTQIA+ flag presentation, Meet & Greet with Congresswoman Susie Lee in June 2024. It was such an amazing and special time to hear your stories, and learn about your organizations, programs and services serving our special community. It allowed me to reflect and appreciate the progress our community has made, and also reminded me that there is some more work to do. Your presence and support today is much appreciated to support and represent our community together.
Special thanks to Julia Gardiner of Windmill Library for providing such a safe place for us with security officers, and Angelica Villarta for coordinating the schedule with Congresswoman Susie Lee for us today. I would also like to say BIG thanks to our own Weiss Solano, and team ACDC from Asian Community Development Council for creating the opportunity for us to meet and support each other. ACDC is the largest nonprofit organization serving AANHPI and the Southern Nevada community with food assistance, citizenship assistance and so much more. Please check out their website when you get a chance.
This Monday, June 10th, The Center along with the Asian Community Development Council, Las Vegas Okinawan Club, One APIA Nevada, Southern Nevada Asian Pacific Island Queer Society (SNAPIQS), & United Territories of Pacific Islanders (UTOPIA) Las Vegas are presenting an updated LGBTQIA+ flag and meeting with Congresswoman Susie Lee. We’re donating an updated flag to represent our diverse community.
Let’s come together to uplift LGBTQIA+ voices, celebrate our accomplishments, and support the rights of our community. We will provide a small handheld LGBTQIA+ flag for everyone and take a group photo to commemorate this important event. Your participation is crucial in advocating for equity, equality, and the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Sharing much gratitude to these individuals for our very 1st Andagi Fundraiser
Because of these individuals and supporters, we are able to continue to pass our Okinawan traditions and share our rich culture with our members and friends in our community. Your dedication and support are truly appreciated!
Thank you again to those who purchased, supported and volunteered! :)
Thank you for joining us and to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Our participants and friends in the community enjoyed Face painting, origami, Asian cultural dances, entertainment performances and much more!
Special thanks to the Las Vegas Okinawan Club ラスベガス沖縄県人会board members and volunteers for a successful annual picnic! Delicious food, music, hula, Sanshin and magic performance, games and good company always make it fun! Great time with friends and new members❣️😊🫶🥳🥰☀️ We had a little over 100 participants this year!
Special thanks to Aunty Cathi of Ninth Island Aunties for donating some raffle prizes and Kumu Charles Herring from Na Hula for your donation to the club!
週末はラスベガス沖縄県人会の春ピクニックでした〜❣️今年も楽しかったです。風が少し強かったけど、美味しいご飯、フラダンス、三線、ゲーム、マジックパフォーマンス、楽しい仲間と過ごせて良い時間をすごせました。100人楽しかったです。
NIAのキャシー南さんからはラッフル券の景品の寄贈、ナフラのチャールズさんから寄付金を頂きました事に感謝の意を申し上げます😊🙏
Las Vegas Okinawan Club is fortunate to receive support from Gene Haas Foundation for two consecutive year. Your donations enable us to organize cultural, social and charitable events, and continue to share our rich Okinawan culture with the Southern Nevada community. Ippe Nifee Deebiru!
Wishing you a year filled with love, health, and happiness. Happy new year and may your dreams turn into reality and your resolutions become achievement and we appreciate your continued support this year! Our members hosted new year's party on February 17, 2024 and celebrated the new yea with 145 members. 明けましておめでとうございます。今年も宜しくお願い致します!
If you are interested in volunteering and community service in 2024, please visit our "Community Service Event & Information Form" here, https://forms.gle/mNhoyKhAWTdPiRpY8
We will be updating this form throughout the year and it'll be a one-time stop to get information with our community outreach and community service projects. For Shannon West Homeless Youth Center project and Easter Basket projects, please contact Auntie Cathi Minami at (702) 635-2782; she is also included in this email.
Las Vegas Okinawan Club has several partnerships with local nonprofits and communities to better serve our Southern Nevada community! Our community service initiatives include:
1. Shannon West Youth Homeless Center - Dessert /baking goods delivery to Shannon West Youth Homeless Center once a month together with Ninth Island Aunties.
https://www.helpsonv.org/shannon-west-homeless-youth-center
2. Hunger Relief and Education Support for At-risk Children - Las Vegas Okinawan Club participates in Back-to-School Event to distribute school supplies, Easter Food Basket Giveaway and early literacy books each year.
3. Senior Services for Minority and Immigrant Individuals and Families -
Senior Keiro Program - our senior citizens gather semi-weekly or weekly to practice Taiko drum and Okinawan dance. We often go to lunch together or potluck lunch and spend quality time together for craft workshop, Karaoke and other activities.
Las Vegas Okinawan Club's Keiro cultural program offers dependent older adults, a warm, safe and encouraging environment. Our friendly and professional volunteers provide:
For families caring for a dependent older relative, can feel confident that their loved one is being cared for in a safe and nurturing setting. Volunteers in the Keiro Senior Services program are bilingual
4. Las Vegas Homeless Camp Food Distribution - members help coordinate food pickup and deliver for food distribution to a homeless camp near the Las Vegas Strip once a month. Our partnership with "The Promise" allows for helping those in need. Please visit https://www.instagram.com/thepromiselv/.
5. Food Drive for Struggling Families - Las Vegas Okinawan Club's new initiative is to help to feed families and individuals in need in our Southern Nevada community, and food and monetary gifts donated by caring community members are a vital part of making that happen. If you have non-perishable food you are not using or not going to consume, please consider to donate and drop them off at our club events and gatherings.
Please visit our "Philanthropic Initiatives" page to learn more about our community service projects.
These are some words and phrases in the Okinawa/Ryukyuan language (sometimes referred to incorrectly as a hogen 方言 or dialect though it is quite different than Japanese in pronunciation). It is known as uchinaaguchi うちなーぐち. There are actually several variations, as regions and different islands technically had their own languages! Most of these below will be from the main island language group. Unfortunately fewer and fewer people these days can even speak uchinaaguchi. https://www.onookinawa.com/home/learn-uchinaguchi/
Ryukyuan dance can be basically categorized into “Traditional Dance”, “Zo Dance” and “Creative Dance”. Traditional Dance is developed as being performed on the stage for entertaining Imperial envoys (Sapposhi) from China during the Ryukyu Kingdom era and came to attain greatness in the 18th century. Traditional Dance is classified into four kinds; the old married couple’s Rojinodori, young boys’ Wakashuodori, young men’s gallantry expressed in Nisaiodori, and the Onnaodori female dance performed with fascinating Bingata-dyed colorful costumes. The Zo Dance appeared after Haihan-Chiken, the abolition of clans and the establishment of the prefectural system (after 1879). Adopting music and culture of commoners, it became popular. “Creative Dance” is created by dancers of modern times, and superior works are still being created one after another. In 2009, Ryukyuan Dance was designated as a National Important Intangible Cultural Property. https://www.nt-okinawa.or.jp/traditional-okinawan-performing-arts/english/ryukyudance_en.html
The Sanshin music of Okinawa can be roughly divided into traditional music and folk songs. Generally called traditional music, they are the court music from the Ryukyu Kingdom era, which developed by being used for Kumiodori and the traditional dance. The folk songs have been handed down among the common people with their origin in traditional songs and traditional music. Source: https://www.nt-okinawa.or.jp/traditional-okinawan-performing-arts/english/sanshin-music_en.html
Our Sanshin instructor, Kazuko Underhill teaches Okinawan Sanshin at her residence for free. Please contact (702) 371-3149. Please text first if you are interested in learning Okinawan Sanshin.
The Sanshin music of Okinawa can be roughly divided into traditional music and folk songs. Generally called traditional music, they are the court music from the Ryukyu Kingdom era, which developed by being used for Kumiodori and the traditional dance. The folk songs have been handed down among the common people with their origin in traditional songs and traditional music. Source: https://www.nt-okinawa.or.jp/traditional-okinawan-performing-arts/english/sanshin-music_en.html
Our Sanshin instructor, Kazuko Underhill teaches Okinawan Sanshin at her residence for free. Please contact (702) 371-3149. Please text first if you are interested in learning Okinawan Sanshin.
Las Vegas Okinawan Club's new initiative is to help to feed families and individuals in need in our Southern Nevada community, and food and monetary gifts donated by caring community members are a vital part of making that happen. If you have non-perishable food you are not using or not going to consume, please consider to donate and drop them off at our club events and gatherings. For questions, please text (702) 350-2689.
Restaurant Discounts - We are so grateful for the generosity of Okinawa Onigiri & Ramen Tatsu! Please support local businesses!
Las Vegas Okinawan Club members are eligible for a 10% discount at these two restaurants. Please make sure to present your valid membership card!
Traditional Okinawan Dancers, Ryubu No Tomo
Reiko Ogasawara, a former Japanese NBA dancer came to our 2023 Spring picnic on May 18 to teach a dance move to our club members and picnic attendees.
Las Vegas Okinawan Club held its 10th year anniversary party. We had guests from Okinawa Association of America (Los Angeles Okinawa Kenjinkai), Utah Okinawa Kenjinkai, and other guests from out of state. Together, we had 204 guests to celebrate the club's 10th year anniversary on September 3, 2022.
2021 Las Vegas Okinawan Club Annual Spring Picnic (May 1, 2021)2021年度ラスベガス沖縄県人会春のピクニック
2021 Las Vegas Okinawan Club Birthday Lunch2021年度ラスベガス沖縄県人会バースデーランチ
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5240 South Decatur Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118, United States
General Contact our secretary Lynn Oshiro (702) 608-3038 Please Text before calling Email - lasvegasokinawakenjinkai@gmail.com For mailing membership form, please send it to C/O Las Vegas Okinawan Club 4467 Verdiccio Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89141-42
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