Grab Your Dancing Geta -- Rehearsals Start July 6!

Let’s Practice for Our “Gathering of Joy”

In our Obon Service and in the dances that follow in our Bon Odori, it is natural to experience a mixture of the sad and the happy. As to the sad, we remember our family and friends who have passed away. And as to the happy, we celebrate the impact these loved ones have on our lives. Because we can express our gratitude for the joy they have brought us, we call the Bon Odori a Gathering of Joy.

Mark Your Calendars for Rehearsals

Starting Sunday, July 6, our dancing instructors will help us practice on Sundays after service, around 11 a.m., and on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. our talented dance instructors walk us through old favorites and newer dances for 2025.

Sunday Mornings
July 6, 13, 20, and 27

Wednesday Evenings
July 9, 16, 23, and 30

Bon Again Shop Returns

For dancing extras like fans, clackers, and headcloths (uchiwa, kachi-kachi, tenegui) or yukata and geta (light summer robes and sandals), the shop will be open for dance practices later in July, for the convenience of the dancers. And of course the shop will be open before, during, and after the odori on August 2.

Obon Day

The Temple schedule is as follows:

Saturday, August 2

2 p.m. Obon and Hatsubon Combined Service, with Special Guest Speaker Rev. Jon Turner of Orange County Buddhist Church. Conducted in the Hondo.

4:30 p.m. Gates to the parking lot re-open for the convenience of our guests, who can choose seats (including those in a shaded section). As before we plan on having food booths with outside vendors with a variety of Asian specialties. Details to follow

6 p.m. Bon Odori in the Temple Parking Lot

Stay tuned, more information to come.