Mensore! Welcome to Las Vegas Okinawan Club！ めんそーれ！ ラスベガス沖縄県人会へようこそ！
Giving back through life-changing experiences. - Updated on 07/26/2024
Upcoming Events
2024 LVJCC Natsu Matsuri/Summer Recital
2024 LVJCC Natsu Matsuri
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!
2024 LVJCC Natsu Matsuri hosted by
Las Vegas Japanese Culture Club
ラスベガス日本文化愛好会
2024 Okinawan Obon Dance Practice Schedule*Updated dates
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!
- July 15, Mon / 2 pm - 3 pm
- July 27, Sat / 1 pm - 3 pm
- August 5, Mon / 2 pm - 3 pm
- August 10, Sat / 1 pm - 3 pm
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 start practicing.
Bon Dance Full - HUOA 2020 Virtual Okinawan Festival
https://youtu.be/vw9DX6DExQE?si=HaJnSw2Gj1fXjedh&t=2683 (44:36) -Tenyo-Bushi
Summer Cool Down Party - 08/17/2024 Saturday 12 pm - 3 pm
Join us for Summer Cool Down Party on August 17, 2024 Saturday!
Bon Dance Practice 12 pm - 12:40 pm
Potluck 1 pm - 3 pm
Volunteers Needed at
12:40 pm for set up & 3 pm for clean up
Bring a potluck item, tasty food, Japanese Somen noodles, watermelon, shaved and more!
Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha
4110 N M.L.K. Blvd, North Las Vegas, NV 89032
RSVP by August 15, Thursday
Text at Keiko Rudder (702) 499-8301 or text Rumiko Hirano at (818) 590-0774
Open to current members, new members and Obon dancers!
Past Event - Okinawan Obon Dance Practice - 06/29/2024
Having fun dancing Okinawan Bon dance and practicing! We had our members from Utah joining us today! Thank you for your support😊🙏☀️🌺🌞🫶
今日は沖縄の盆踊りの練習をしました。テンヨー節です。ユタ州在住の会員もはるばるユタ州のセントジョージから来てくれました。皆さんに感謝です😊
Past Event - Yuntaku Social Brunch - Sat, June 22, 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! 🙆🏻♂️🥰☀️😊🇺🇸🎉
2024 Obon Dance Practice Schedule
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:
- July 6, 20 (Sat)
- August 17 (Sat)
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/)
2024 Obon Festival by Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha - August 24, 2024 10 am - 4 pm
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/)
10/12/2024 - 15th Annual Aki Matsuri Japanese Festival - FREE ADMISSION (October 12, 2024 Sat)
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)
Serving the southern Nevada Community - Community service
July 6, 2024 Sat - Water Bottle Distribution to Homeless Community
On July 6, 2024 Saturday, Las Vegas Okinawan Club donated cold water bottles to a homeless camp in the Las Vegas area that we serve regularly. The community members were grateful for this cold water donation. Please consider donating water bottles at these times/dates. All donations will be directly distributed to homeless individuals who endure extreme temperatures during the summer in Las Vegas. Las Vegas is experiencing extreme heat at 118 ℉degrees (47.7℃ celsius ) this week.
Drop Off Dates and Times During Obon Dance Practice
- July 15, Mon / 2 pm - 3 pm
- July 27, Sat / 1 pm - 3 pm
- August 5, Mon / 2 pm - 3 pm
- August 10, Sat / 1 pm - 3 pm
Drop Off Location: Tian Beverage (Okinawan Community Center side)
Address: 5240 S Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89118
Please text at (702) 350-2689 if you would like to donate water bottles.
For our homeless and economically disadvantaged community members, staying hydrated during the summer heat can be a matter of life or death.
If you'd like to help that effort, you can donate using the form below or drop off bottled water at designated location at our next event or gathering during the summer months.
2024 年 7 月 6 日土曜日、ラスベガス沖縄県人会は、定期的にサービスを提供しているラスベガス地域のホームレスキャンプに冷たいお水のボトルを寄贈しました。ホームレスキャンプの皆さんははこの冷たいお水の寄付に感謝されていました。 もし寄付をされたい方は以下の日時にウォーターボトルの寄付をご検討ください。すべての寄付は、ラスベガスの夏の極度の気温に耐えているホームレスの人々に直接分配されます。ラスベガスは今週、摂氏118度（摂氏47.7℃）という猛暑に見舞われています。
お盆踊り練習の日時にお水の寄付を受け付けています。
7月15日（月）午後2時～午後3時
7月27日（土）午後1時～午後3時
8月5日（月）午後2時～午後3時
8月10日（土）午後1時～午後3時
場所：ティアンビバレッジ（沖縄県人 会館側）
住所: 5240 S Decatur Blvd、ラスベガス、ネバダ州 89118
お水のボトルを寄付される場合は、事前に(702) 350-2689 にテキストメッセージを送信してください。
ホームレスで経済的に恵まれない地域住民にとって、夏の暑さの中で水分補給を続けることは生死にかかわる問題です。
この取り組みを支援したい場合は、以下のフォームを使用して寄付するか、次回のイベントや夏の集まりで指定された場所にボトル入りの水を持参してください。
April 7, 2024 - Homeless Outreach * Food Distribution
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 Saturday)
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！
Past Event - February 2024 - Food Distribution
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
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.
Club Membership Application 会員申し込みについて
Join Las Vegas Okinawan Club in spreading kindness
At Las Vegas Okinawan Club, we believe that every act of kindness can make a difference. Join us in spreading kindness and making the world a better place for everyone.
Community Service / Philanthropic Initiatives
Our Philanthropic initiatives
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:
- Social interaction
- Assortment of stimulating, structured activities including music, games, art
- Gentle exercise
- Wellness activities, health screening
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.
Learn More
Please visit our "Philanthropic Initiatives" page to learn more about our community service projects.
Learn Basic Uchinaguchi! (Okinawan language)
Learning Uchinaguchi!(Okinawan)
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/
Learn Traditional Okinawan performing arts
Cultural Class: Okinawan Traditional Dance by Masako Frost Sensei
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
Okinawan Cultural Performing Arts Class: “FREE” Okinawan Sanshin Private Lesson Instructor: Kazuko Underhill
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.
Food Drive Initiative to Help Our Community
Make a Difference in Nevada
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.
Restauraunt Discounts
Exclusively for LVOC members!
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!
- Okinawa Onigiri - Phone (702) 844-8857 Address: 4258 Spring Mountain Rd #102, Las Vegas, NV 89102 OPEN EVERYDAY 11am - 9pm https://oonigiri.com/
- Ramen Tatsu - Phone (702) 629-7777 Address: 3400 S Jones Blvd #6, Las Vegas, NV 89146 OPEN EVERYDAY 11:30am - 10pm https://www.ramen-tatsu.com
