TORRANCE — The Torrance Sister City Association (TSCA) presents its 44th annual Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival on Saturday and Sunday, April 16-17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ken Miller Recreation Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd. at Madrona Avenue in Torrance.

This event features authentic demonstrations of Japanese dance, koto and shakuhachi music, traditional vocal music, taiko drums, shodo (calligraphy), and origami. Enjoy colorful Okinawa taiko and dance exhibitions and martial arts performances such as kendo, judo, aikido and naginata, and a kimono talk.

Beautiful ikebana, bonsai and Girls’ Day dolls will be on display. Kamishibai (Japanese storytelling) will be presented in English and Japanese both days. There will also be games and crafts for kids.

Japanese sweets such as mochi and Okinawa dango (doughnut) and savory dishes such as yakisoba, curry rice, Spam musubi and barbecue plate lunches will be available for purchase.

Proceeds from the event benefit TSCA’s student cultural exchange program, which sends up to eight students and an adult leader from Torrance to Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, for three weeks in July. TSCA will host Kashiwa students and an adult leader during August.

TSCA is a non-profit, community-based, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting goodwill between the people of Torrance and Kashiwa.

Free admission and parking. For more information, visit www.torrancesistercity.org.

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