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7 candidates for 2015 Nisei Week Queen contest are introduced at the kick-off event of the 2015 Nisei Week Japanese Festival at the Japanese American National Museum, Downtown Los Angeles. (Cultural News Photo)
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The 2015 Nisei Week Japanese Festival queen candidates took center stage for their first official appearance before various community leaders, local dignitaries, family and friends at the Opening Ceremony event held Sunday, July 19 at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles. The seven candidates will participate in this year's festival, which celebrates its 75th anniversary from August 15-23. The candidates will compete for the title of Nisei Week Queen on Saturday, August 15, 7 p.m., at the Coronation Ball at the Aratani Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo. The dinner prior to the coronation ball will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel LA Downtown, with cocktails being served at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Golden Circle level (includes special dinner prior to the event at the DoubleTree at 5 p.m.) with preferred seating at the coronation for $170 per person; general admission tickets are $80 per person. The newly crowned queen and her court will represent the Nisei Week Foundation at this year's festival and other community events across Southern California, as well as nationally and internationally (including Nagoya, Japan) throughout the year. The 2015 Nisei Week candidates and their sponsor organizations are: Michelle Kaori Hanabusa (West Los Angeles JACL & Venice Japanese Community Center) Sara Kuniko Hutter (Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council) Kelsey Nakaji Kwong (San Fernando Japanese American Community Center and Coordinating Council) Karen Nana Mizoguchi (Japanese Restaurant Association of America) Veronica Toyomi Ota (Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute) Camryn Michiko Rie Sugita (Gardena Evening Optimist) Tamara Mieko Teragawa (East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center) The 2015 Nisei Week Japanese Festival is a nine-day event first held in 1934, and is recognized today as one of the longest running ethnic festivals in the United States. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the festival will take place in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo district from August 15-23. For a calendar of events, log on to www.NiseiWeek.org, call the Nisei Week Foundation office at (213) 687-7193 or email info@niseiweek.org The Nisei Week office is located at 244 South San Pedro Street, Suite 303, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
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