The Big Budokan Bash was presented by Friends of BOLA and Little Tokyo Service Center on April 30 at Nishi Hongwanji Los Angeles Betsuin. Budokan of Los Angeles will be a gathering place for young people, a place to play sports, socialize, develop skills, and connect to the Little Tokyo community. The event included food, sake-tasting, music and dancing (including line dancing, above and below).

Kokoro performed three sets, teaming up with guest vocalists, including Miko Shudo (above), Helen Ota (below), Gary Moriguchi, Vick the Brick Jacobs, Jeff and Danielle Carter.

Asian Persuasion provided their Motown sounds.

ABC7 sportscaster Rob Fukuzaki, pictured with Kokoro vocalist Lauren Kinkade, served as emcee and also sang.

From left: Event chairs Kelsey Iino, Carol Tanita, Patty Ito Nagano and Wayne Nagao were recognized by Chris Aihara, Dean Matsubayashi and Mike Murase of LTSC.

The Nisei Week Court helped with the opportunity drawing. From left: Queen Sarah Hutter, First Princess Veronica Ota, Miss Tomodachi Karen Mizoguchi, Princess Camryn Sugita, Princess Kelsey Kwong, and Princess Tamara Teragawa.

The Rafu Shimposigned up new subscribers, and an appeal on behalf of the newspaper was made during the program. The Rafu table was staffed by Gail Matsui (right), pictured with Cindy Oda and Shuko Akune.

Photos by J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo

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