Pronounced ah-NEE-may, it’s a popular form of art used in television shows, video games, movies, and on countless Internet sites.

Animation was popular in both the U.S. and Japan after WW-II, but in Japan, anime and magna (animation and comics characters) accounted for over 40% of all of Japan’s domestic films. While in the U.S., animation was mostly targeted at young children, in Japan, it had appeal with all age groups.

A couple Japanese anime programs, Astro Boy and Speed Racer, were modified for American audiences and became popular in the 1960s on television.

Here’s a sample of some 1960s Anime…

The art form uses a specific style or look, which is generally instantly recognizable.  Some characters is highly sexualized and racy.

It’s also about those Japanese animated characters and super heroes that some people are totally enamored with.

Events and activities include:

• Art Show and Gallery
• Anime Music Videos
• Art Show and Auction
• Autograph Sessions
• Kabuki Ball (semi-formal dress code, Cosplay costumes welcome) with dance instructions
• Cosplay contest and skits

• Saturday night dance
• Anime vendors room
• Game Shows with prizes
• Karaoke
• LARP (Live-Action Role Playing)
• Panels and Workshops – from cel-painting to story plots
• High-tech Video Game Room and Tournaments with prizes
• Video Rooms – four anime video rooms and a live-action Japanese video room
• Bands, celebrities and more

And here’s samples of current Anime…

Anime USA
Hyatt Regency Crystal City
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, Virginia 22202 (map it)

Dates and Times – Friday-Sunday, October 10-12, 2008, hours vary by day.

Tickets – Three-day Pass – $50, Friday – $35, Saturday – $40 and Sunday – $30 and are available at the door. Children 7 & under – free, kids 8-12 – half-price with an adult (limit 2 kids per adult).

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Crystal City – Blue add Yellow line.  The Hyatt’s shuttle stop at the station every 20 minutes.  Look for the White\Red Shuttle or call the hotel at 703-418-1234 for pick-up.

Parking – Valet only at the hotel. Or try the two paid parking garages behind the hotel.

Weapons Policy – There is a strict weapons policy, not sure why it  needs to be stated, but  here’s the link to  it.

Images – Flickr – green woman drawing, cosplay group, Anime in LA

___________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

The Grand Sushi and Saki Event – Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 7:00 p.m.

• Join grand master sushi chefs as they present sustainable sushi offerings, Japanese Saki and beer selections. The tasting is immediately after a presentation by the author of  The Zen of Fish: The Story of Sushi, from Samurai to Supermarket, Trevor Corson. Cost – $95.00

The Master Cheese Monger’s Favorites – Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 7:00 p.m.

• Foodie and author of Cheese Primer, Steve Jenkins was the first American to be inducted into the prestigious Guilde du St. Uguzon in France. He an also be heard on NPR’s The Splendid Table.  He’ll be serving up some great cheeses from around the globe, many not available in the U.S.  And what’s cheese without a nice glass of wine? Best Sellars wine stores co-founder, Joshua Wesson, will be serving a sampling of especially selected wines to pair with the cheeses. Cost – $75.00

The Italian Beer Renaissance – Thursday, May 8, 2008, 7:00 p.m.

• I’ve been drinking Italian beers for years. And I guess there’s a beer revolution in Italy. Several fine mircobreweries have opened around the country and the brews they create go far beyond traditional Euro-styles.  Join Garrett Oliver, the brewmaster of The Brooklyn Brewery and author of The Brewmaster’s Table for a sampling of some of Italy’s newer beers.   Cost – $75.00

National Geographic Explorers Hall 
1145 17th Street, NW, at M Street, NW
Washington, DC (map it)
202-857-7588

Tickets – Available by phone at 202-661-7585. Attendees must be 21 or over.

Nearest Metro subway station – Farragut West – Orange line, then a two block walk.

Images – Flickr: beer coasters, cheese, sushi. 

____________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

For two weeks at the Kennedy Center, you can enjoy Japan Culture + Hypreculture as it explodes with over 40 performances, 450 artists, lectures, cultural events, music and dance performances, anime and more. Plus, many of the events are free. 

Some of the free events include:

• Robots, robots and more robots at Robotopia Rising – Feb. 7–17, Mon. – Fri. 12:30–7:30, Sat. & Sun. 10–7:30. Free, no tickets required.
• Tony-nominated fashion designer Junko Koshino who uses the classic Kimono shape in her collections. Her fashions will be on display in the Opera House lobby and on Thursday, Feb. 7th at 6:00 p.m., a free fashion show will be presented.
• Using homemade instruments, Maywa Denki unique (and at times silly) performance art will be on display with demonstrations twice daily and a free performance Saturday, Feb. 16th at 6:00 p.m.
• At the Harajuku Evening, discover the latest trends in Japanese Harajuku (punk-glam-mod-street) attire, music and culture, including robot DJs, hip Goth-Lolitas, and more. Sunday, Feb. 17th, 6:00 p.m. at the Millennium Stage.

Maywa Denki…performance art at it’s silliest.

JAPAN! Culture + Hyperculture
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F Street, NW
Washington DC. 20566

Date and Time – Feb. 5th – 17th, check the events calendar for the daily schedule. 

Tickets - prices vary, some events are free. Tickets available online.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Foggy Bottom/George Washington University station (23rd and I St.) – Blue and Orange lines, then a 3-block walk.

From Foggy Bottom, there’s a free shuttle that runs every 15 minutes weekdays  from 9:45 a.m. until Midnight, Saturdays 10:00 a.m.- Midnight, and from Noon – Midnight on Sundays.

Parking - limited parking is available at the Kennedy Center for $15.00.

Photos – Flickr or event site

___________________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler