Please note that these are not OAA-hosted or -sponsored events (unless otherwise noted). We are compiling the event information to make it easier for our members and supporters to access these wonderful presentations and performances.
UPDATED AUGUST 17, 2020
A lot has happened in the past couple months and we hope that everybody is staying well and practicing physical distancing. We’ve put together a list of concerts, talks, short films, and more to enjoy during this quarantine period – all online and all FREE to watch!
We update this list with new links and also promote upcoming presentations/performances.
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more frequent updates.
UPCOMING:
EVERY TUESDAY:
Yuntaku Live! (talks and performances by Uchinaanchu in Hawai‘i)
Hosted by Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA)
10 p.m. Pacific Time / 7 p.m. Hawai‘i / 1:00 a.m. Eastern
Watch on HUOA’s Facebook Page
(This is not an OAA-hosted or -sponsored event)
EVERY LAST THURSDAY:
Nuchaashii Online Gatherings
Hosted by the OAA
7 – 9 p.m. Pacific Time
Please RSVP for the Zoom Link
RECURRING:
Umanchu Suruti Online (lectures and discussions about Okinawan culture, history, and identity)
Hosted by Ukwanshin Kabudan in Hawai‘i
Email events@ukwanshinkabudan.org or visit their Facebook page for the presentation dates and links
(This is not an OAA-hosted or -sponsored event)
RECURRING:
Online Shimakutuba Gakumun Kai (Okinawan language class)
Hosted by Ukwanshin Kabudan in Hawai‘i
Taught by Brandon Ing
Email events@ukwanshinkabudan.org or visit their Facebook page for the presentation dates and links
(This is not an OAA-hosted or -sponsored event)
ONLINE PERFORMANCES & TALKS:
***NEW*** BEGIN (ビギン)
- 15th anniversary documentary and performance (1 hr 26 min)
VIDEO ONLY AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME! Please subscribe to Begin’s YouTube channel and Facebook page to be notified of new concert recordings.
Yoriko Ganeko – Live performances on Facebook (Bi-Weekly)
GINYU: A musical about Okinawan immigration to Peru (2 hr)
Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA)’s Yuntaku Live! (Every Tuesday) – Also available on their YouTube channel
- ***NEW*** Ep. 16 – Day in the Life of Yuntaku (Learn about the hosts, meet HUOA staff, and more!)
- ***NEW*** Ep. 15 – Alison Arakawa (Singer)
- Ep. 14 – Tom Yamamoto (Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii and Na Kamalii O ‘Iliahi)
- Ep. 13 – Norman Kaneshiro (Nomura-ryu Ongaku Kyokai Hawaii Shibu and Ukwanshin Kabudan)
- Ep. 12 – Hooge Ryu Hana Nuuzi No Kai Nakasone Dance Academy
- Ep. 11 – Lisa Tamashiro & Chinagu Eisa Hawaii
- Ep. 10 – June Uyeunten Nakama (Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii)
- Ep. 9 – Dazz Toguchi (Azama Honryu Hawaii Shibu)
- Ep. 8 – Allison Yanagi (Azama Honryu Allison Yanagi Ryubu Kenkyu Sho and Nomura Ryu Dentou Ongaku Kyokai Hawaii Shibu)
- Ep. 7 – Frances Nakachi Kuba & Senjukai Hawaii (Tamagusuku Ryu Senjukai Frances Nakachi Ryubu Dojo)
- Ep. 6 – Keith Nakaganeku (Nomura Ryu Ongaku Kyokai Hawaii Shibu)
- Ep. 5 – Grant “Masanduu” Murata (Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii)
- Ep 4 – Jodie Ching (Author and Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii)
- Ep 3 – Jon Itomura & Hawaii Okinawa Creative Arts
- Ep 2 – Brandon Ing (Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi and Ukwanshin Kabudan)
- Ep 1 – Kenton Odo (Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii)
Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA)
Kenji Igei (伊芸研治) in Peru – Live video stream from March 28 (1 hr)
Kariyushi 58 (かりゆし58)
- 7 full-length concerts from 2009 – 2014 (approx. 2 hrs each)
- “Bandwagon Show” new album promotional video (36 min)
King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center
- Shaping Okinawan Identity and Community in Hawaiʻi During World War II
Live talk by Brandon Marc Higa and Kelli Y. Nakamura (1 hr)
Mako (of Mako and Munjuru) in Washington State – Live video stream from May 21 (35 min)
Okinawa Americana – Live performances on Facebook (Every Saturday)
- ***NEW*** Volume 19
- ***NEW*** Volume 18
- ***NEW*** Volume 17 (special guests Rich Mahan & Kanako Horiuchi)
- ***NEW*** Volume 16
- ***NEW*** Volume 15
- Volume 8 – May 16
- Volume 7 – May 9
- Volume 6 – May 2
- Volume 5 – April 26
- Volume 4 – April 11
- Volume 3 – March 29
- Volume 2 – March 21
Jake Shimabukuro – Live performances on Facebook
- May 1 (1 hr 19 min)
- April 24 (1 hr 5 min)
- April 17 (1 hr 10 min)
- April 10 (44 min)
- March 25 (30 min)
***NEW*** Tadaima! A Community Virtual Pilgrimage
This virtual series organized by Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages had several amazing events, but we will be highlighting ones that featured Uchinaanchu moderators, presenters, performers, etc. (please let us know if we missed any). Click here to check out all 9 weeks worth of programs!
- Alaska Native Memories of the Japanese American Incarceration (moderated by community organizer Shō Tanaka)
- Artist Talk with Emily Momohara (artist, photographer, and educator)
- Closing Ceremony (co-hosted by actor Tamlyn Tomita)
- Garage Door Opener – A Play by Soji Kashiwagi (featuring actor Kurt Kuniyoshi)
- In Search of Incarcerated Okinawans: A Conversation on Decolonizing Japanese America (presentations/performances by Joseph Kamiya, Ann Tamaki Dion, Shō Tanaka, Jane H. Yamashiro; OAA was a community supporter)
- Sunday Supper – Sweet & Sour Spareribs (presented by father-daughter duo Warren and Danielle Higa)
Tomoko Uehara (上原 知子) from Rinken Band – Live stream performances
Ayano Uema (上間綾乃) – Live stream performances
- ***NEW*** July 22 (30 min)
- June 23 – Special Irei no Hi Performance (30 min)
- June 4 (20 min)
- April 29 (34 min)
Yanawarabaa (やなわらばー) – Live stream performances
- April 10 (1 hr)
- March 25 (1 hr 20 min)
- February 19 (1 hr 9 min)
- Click here for more
SHORT FILMS & DOCUMENTARIES
Filmdoo has a series of short films (drama and comedy) from Okinawa with English subtitles. “Authentic tales of people young and old, searching for a fresh adventure and new beginnings, all with one thing in common – they all take place on the exquisite island of Okinawa.”
NHK World has a selection of their short documentaries and news segments available to view online. Check out their Focus on Okinawa playlist or search “Okinawa”.
YOUTUBE CHANNELS:
Eisaa Museum (エイサー会館) has a variety of eisaa videos including full-length performances!
Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA) is uploading the full recordings of their weekly Yuntaku Live presentations including talks/performances by Kenton Odo (Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Hawaii), Brandon Ing (Let’s Sing Uchinaaguchi), and more!
Okinawa Matsuri in Tokyo (沖縄まつりin 代々木公園) has video clips and full-length performances from their 2019 concert featuring Tōru Yonaha (よなは徹), Ayano Uema (上間綾乃), Ii Dushi (いーどぅし), and more!
Rinken Band’s Real Music Dormitory channel features recent live stream performances from Rinken Band protégé group, tinktink (ティンクティンク), as well as music clips and a web series called “Rinken Band Atchaa Atchaa” which follows Rinken Teruya (照屋林賢) to various spots in Okinawa!
Sanshin Craftsmens Business Cooperative Association of Okinawa (沖縄県三線製作事業協同組合) started the #SanshinYuimaru #StayHomeSanshin campaign with professional and up-and-coming musicians contributing videos! There are also sanshin musicians across the world doing the same and you can find their videos on social media platforms by searching for #SanshinYuimaru and #StayHomeSanshin.
Urizun, an organization of young Okinawans in Brazil, hosts recurring live stream presentations and recordings can be viewed on their YouTube channel! Of course, all of the presentations are in Portuguese.
Yuna & Tida are a talented local duo who perform Okinawan folk songs!
