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Family Festival
Saturday, March 28, 2009
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Discover the rich culture of Japan in this full-day interactive festival at the Getty Center inspired by the exhibition Tales in Sprinkled Gold: Japanese Lacquer for European Collectors, on view March 3–May 24. Try your hand at art-making workshops, enjoy dance, taiko drumming, and craft demonstrations, and get carried away by our master storytellers. Free; no reservations required.

Explore the day's program:

Music and Dance

Storytelling and Puppet Theater

Craft Demonstrations

Art-Making Workshops


Kinnara performs taiko drumming at the Getty Center


Music and Dance

Azuma Kotobuki Kai
Azuma Kotobuki Kai presents the traditional art of classical Japanese dance with the goal of promoting Japanese culture and ethnic awareness, and—for those of Japanese heritage—of awakening an interest in the arts of their ancestors.
12:00–12:15 p.m.
3:30–3:45 p.m.
Museum Courtyard Stage

Kinnara Taiko
Kinnara Taiko is the oldest Japanese American Buddhist taiko group in North America. Formed in 1969 and named after the celestial musicians of Buddhism, the group's emphasis is placed on participation, self-awareness, and discovering the joy in "just" playing.
1:00–1:45 p.m.
4:30–5:15 p.m.
Museum Courtyard Stage


Japanese dancer Sumako Azuma

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Storytelling and Puppet Theater

We Tell Stories
The celebrated children's theater company performs Japanese folktales about a grumpy river oni (troll), a magical tengu (mountain spirit), and a boastful sumo wrestler. 11:00–11:45 a.m.
2:15–3:00 p.m.
Museum Courtyard Stage

Triumvirate Pi Theatre
This local company presents "Autumn Leaves," the story of a farmer sending his son to war. Told with Bunraku puppets, shadow puppets, taiko, and bamboo flute, the performance is reminiscent of traditional Japanese Bunraku theatre but with a western flair.
10:45–11:20 a.m.
2:10–2:45 p.m.
Museum Lecture Hall

Jim Jam
This multicultural theater company presents "Timeless Tales from Today and Tomorrow," which takes kids on a journey through different Asian countries to see colorful and creative re-enactments of timeless folk tales.
12:20–1:05 p.m.
4:00–4:45 p.m.
Museum Lecture Hall


Autumn Leaves

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Craft Demonstrations

Sumi-e Demonstration with Nori Shirasu
Learn how to create a sumi-e painting, an art form that strives to distill the essence of an object in the fewest possible strokes.
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Getty Research Institute lawn

Ikebana demonstration with the Ohara School of Ikebana, Los Angeles Chapter
Watch as members of this school of Japanese flower arranging put together beautiful creations with living branches, leaves, grasses, and blossoms.
12:15–12:45 p.m.
1:45–2:15 p.m.
3:00–3:30 p.m.
Getty Research Institute lawn




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Art-Making Workshops

Golden Boxes with Marni Gittleman
Etch and sketch your own golden tale of tigers, palaces, and noblemen using metal foil techniques inspired by the exhibition Tales in Sprinkled Gold: Japanese Lacquer for European Collectors.
10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Museum Courtyard

Origami Cards with Peggy Hasegawa
Make a contemporary card using ancient Japanese origami techniques. Create origami objects from a variety of papers and materials, then turn them into cards.
10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Museum Courtyard

Make Mail Art
Use postcards, paintbrush pens, and rubber stamps to create a piece of custom mail art that we will send anywhere in the world.
10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Museum Courtyard

Decorate a Frame
Embellish a picture frame with origami paper, markers, and other materials, and then use it to display your postcard-size art.
10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Museum Courtyard


Art workshop at the Getty Center

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How to Get Here
The Getty Center is located at 1200 Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California, approximately 12 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. See Hours, Directions, Parking for directions and parking information.

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The Family Festival is produced for the J. Paul Getty Museum by Community Arts Resources (CARS).