Tag Archives: cdbf

Montbello High School Drum Line to perform during CDBF 2013 Opening Ceremony

It was at Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s suggestion that the nine members of the Montbello High School Drum Line got the chance of a lifetime — to take the second historic flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on United Airline’s new direct flight between Denver and Tokyo. The students raised money for the trip […]

Why I love the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

It struck me towards the end of the first day of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival that the clash of cultures I had just witnessed perfectly encapsulates why I’ve been a volunteer for this event since it was started in 2001. (Full disclosure: Last year, my partner Erin Yoshimura took on the role as executive […]

Watch the 2011 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival TV spot

Many thanks to FOX 31 weekend anchor Deborah Takahara and reporter Chris Jose, as well as the FOX 31 crew and Dragonboat Race Association of Colorado (DRACO) members who manned the dragon boat for this shoot on a hot summer day! My wife Erin is the executive director for the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. We […]

Obon dance an annual highlight of Cherry Blossom Festival

It looks easy — lining up and following the movements of the little old ladies who have been doing it all their lives. But it’s hard work, and I work up a sweat almost immediately during Obon practice at the Denver Buddhist Temple gym. I didn’t grow up dancing Obon every summer like many Japanese […]

Turning Japanese (again): A question of identity

I was born in Japan, so I can say this with a straight face: I’m becoming a born-again Japanese, and it’s kinda fun. For years now, Erin and I have thought of ourselves as Asian American first, and Japanese American second. Mostly, it’s because we’re interested in and feel a kinship with other Asian Americans, […]