Over 5500 guests attended the Japanese Pavilion at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall in 2018—an attendance figure that is seldom seen when we host a pavilion during the first week of Folklorama.
As in prior years, written feedback received from guests, bus tour operators and Folklorama licensing and inspection committees, all indicate that the Japanese pavilion continues to provide a top quality cultural experience and outstanding value for money. To do this requires over 1,000 person days of volunteer effort during the week (not counting the Eisa performers from Japan who dazzled the crowds at all 3 shows on 2 nights in August), and countless hours of preparation in the months leading up to Folklorama. This year we implemented a new electronic ticketing system, we sub-contracted out the sushi preparation, we began accepting payments by debit and credit cards, and a number of new people stepped forward to build on the successes of past Fokloramas.
Many, many thanks to the following who formed the tightly knit team of the 2018 committee:
• Coordinators: Art Miki, Les Kojima, Nic Matsuo
• Ambassadors: Davey and Mayumi Kawakami, Justin Choy, Kaiya Mathieson
• Admissions: Sandra Shibata, Lori Shimizu
• Bar: Jon Miki, Ken Teramura
• Clean–up: Ian Findlay, Heather Choy
• Culinary: Margaret Suzuki, Marie Tomchak, Susan Oye
• Cultural Display: Sally Ito, Keiko Miki, Jeff Newmark
• Entertainment: Jen Letkemann, Jody Onagi
• Food Cashiers and Treasurer: Jaclyn Demianyk
• Food Servers: Henry Kojima, Ray Normandeau
• Guest Services: Kyla Letkemann, Joy Letkemann
• Security (Guest Services 2): Phil Mukai, Satoshi Takeuchi
• Health Safety/Workplace Safety: Mona Hiebert
• Kakigori: Danica Muller
• Marketing/Media: Hayley Yamamoto
• Souvenirs: Keiko Burke, Heather Choy
• Supply/Purchasing: Steve Hanner, Art Miki
• Volunteers: Sara Ebata, Jiyu Iida
• Volunteer Room: Debra Takeuchi
IS THERE AN AMBASSADORSHIP IN YOUR FUTURE?
The JCAM Folklorama Committee has begun to organize the 2019 Japanese pavilion, and is looking for potential Pavilion Ambassadors! Folklorama Ambassadors are the “faces” of their pavilion, representing their communities at events and other festivals throughout the year to promote Folklorama. There are a few mandatory events you must attend including an Ambassador Orientation and the Folklorama Kick-Off. In addition, ambassadors will also attend a minimum of two optional events and activities. The schedule of mandatory and optional events for 2019 Ambassadors is not yet available but isn’t onerous – in fact it’s a lot fun and you are surrounded by people who have similar attitudes and goals and who enjoy each other’s company. But most importantly, Ambassadors act as the main hosts of their pavilions, greeting patrons, VIPs and group tours during Folklorama week. By the time of the pavilion openings in August 2019, Ambassadors will be expected to be knowledgeable about their pavilion’s operations, history, cultural display and food preparation.
Through the festival and at the special events, Ambassadors are required to dress in cultural attire, wearing their pavilion sash and name tag. So it’s not something taken lightly – but the rewards are worth it. Not only that, it looks good on your resume.
Every licensed Folklorama pavilion is required to have four Ambassadors. Any combination of gender is acceptable. However, the criterion of two youth (between the ages of 14 and 17 as of May 1, 2019) and two adults (at least 18 years old as of May 1, 2019) must be followed. If you are interested in being considered for one of the Ambassador positions at the 2019 Japanese pavilion, please send an email to m.jccc@shaw.ca with the subject line “2019 Japanese Pavilion Ambassador”. In your email, indicate whether you are applying for one of the Youth Ambassador or Adult Ambassador positions, and briefly outline the reasons for your interest. Application deadline is January 7, 2019. Successful applicants will be provided with training.