MONTEBELLO — Sozenji Buddhist Temple, 3020 W. Beverly Blvd. in Montebello, will present its 40^thannual Community Obon Festival on Sunday, July 17, from 1 to 7 p.m.

An Obon service will be held at 2 p.m.

Cultural performances from 4 to 7 p.m. will include:

– Kodomo no Ie, a preschool children’s chorus;

– Matsutoyo Sato Kai, a folk music group;

– Bon dance led by Hanayagi Rokufukumi, koto artist Kozue Matsumoto and the Cal Arts Japanese Ensemble;

– Maceo Hernandez, “Demon Drummer of East L.A.”;

– Taiko Center of Los Angeles, led by Rev. Shuichi Thomas Kurai.

The festival will also feature Japanese food, a produce sale, a raffle and door prizes.

Bon Odori dance practice will be held on Wednesday, July 13, at 7 p.m. at San Gabriel Japanese Community Center, 5019 Encinita Ave. in Temple City.

Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, call (323) 724-6866, email [email protected], or visit Sozenji Buddhist Temple on Facebook.

Sozenji is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple established by Rev. Shuyu Hideo Kurai and members in 1972. The current building opened its doors in 1978.

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