Jill Shiraki

33rd Annual Crab Feed

by Jill Shiraki | Dec 31, 2023 | News

J-Sei’s 33rd annual crab feed – Ticket sales are now closed!

We invite you and your family to join us in an updated format. In an effort to build community gathering and in light of restrictions at the El Cerrito Community Center, J-Sei is moving our event to a new venue: The Fratellanza Club which is one block east of J-Sei and has on-site parking.

Please enjoy your crab feast from 5 pm to 6:30 pm and then enjoy live band music, more socializing and a no-host bar from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. There will be one seating time for this family-style event with no to-go meals.

Enjoy fresh Dungeness crab, Asian salad, garlic noodles, rolls, desserts, and beverages with your family and friends at J-Sei’s in-person, sit-down, family-style crab feed! (Menu subject to change depending on availability of crab.)

Dinner tickets: adults $70, children 12 & under $25 (Sorry, no to-go meals.)

TICKET SALES ARE NOW CLOSED! Thank you for your support!

Two Options for RESERVATIONS

Sign up Online

(1) To pay online use the donorbox (in next column). For custom amount, calculate your total amount and type the amount. Check box to add the number of tickets in the comment box.

– OR –

Send by Mail

(1) Download and complete the form on the Crab Feed flyer.

(2) Send the form with a check and mail to: J-Sei, 1285 66th Street, Emeryville, CA 94608

Topaz Collages, a mixed media exhbit by Jeanie Kashima

by Jill Shiraki | Dec 31, 2023 | Classes & Events, Other News

TOPAZ COLLAGES: One Family’s Experience

By Jeanie Kashima

Exhibit Dates: January 22 to March 30, 2024

J-Sei Gallery Hours: MWF 10-1, TuTh 1-5

A series of collages emerged from family photos as artist Jeanie Kashima reflected on her early years, born in the Topaz concentration camp in Utah. After her mother Amy Takaki passed away at the age of 104 years, Kashima began work on her collages. While many do not have photos from their early years behind barbed wire, the Takaki family has a set of photos that document their journey and inspired the new work.

In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which ordered 120,000 Japanese Americans to be forcibly removed from their homes to the interior of the United States. Taken from their spacious and comfortable home in Berkeley, the Takaki family was forced to adapt to living in horse stalls at the Tanforan Race Track. After several months, they were taken by train to Delta, Utah. Jeanie Takaki was the first baby born in the Topaz concentration camp and spent her formative years living with her family in the arid desert until 1945.

Topaz Collages provide a visceral landscape of one family’s experience of wartime incarceration.

ARTIST TALK with Jeanie Kashima – Sat, March 16, 2 pm

Hear from textile artist Jeanie Kashima on her inspiration and creative process in making Topaz Collages. Enjoy refreshments and celebrate this moving and captivating story and visual expression. RSVP for artist talk.

Taste of Mokuhanga: Japanese Woodblock Print

by Jill Shiraki | Dec 31, 2023 | Classes & Events

Taste of Mokuhanga: Japanese Woodblock Print Workshop

Saturday, February 3rd, Friday, February 23rd, and Sunday, February 25th — Workshops are FULL, Waiting list only.

Join us for a 3-hour introductory Japanese Woodblock Print workshop. Participants will be introduced to the art of Japanese woodblock printing called Ukiyo-E technique. Tomoko Murakami, a Japanese-born printmaking artist, will demonstrate the carving and printing processes. Participants will create small Ukiyo-E prints while learning to carve their woodblocks! All materials are provided, and all levels are welcome. Class fee: $45 (includes materials)

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “woodblock” in the subject line and indicate your preferred date.

New Classes at J-Sei begin in February

by Jill Shiraki | Dec 30, 2023 | Classes & Events, Other News

As we continue to encourage people to join us at J-Sei, we are excited to offer the following new or renewed classes, beginning in February.

Beginning Watercolor Painting

Mondays, 10 to 12 — CLASS IS FULL. Waiting list only.

Enjoy the light touch of the brush on paper transforming images stroke by stroke. Whether you’ve taken class before or you are trying it for the first time, this class provides space for your artistic expression. Due to popular demand, we are adding a class time to explore Watercolor Painting with renowned Bay Area artist Wendy Yoshimura who has been teaching seniors for over 30 years. Suggested donation: $32 for 4 classes; or $10 drop-in. RSVP to jill@j-sei.org.

Beginning Ukulele

Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30

The joy of music is good for the soul. Learn and practice the basics of ukulele, from chords to strumming, and fine-tuning rhythm and voice. We offer this beginning class in 8-week sessions. Susan Sullivan has been teaching ukulele at J-Sei for many years. She invites you to join in her love of music. Suggested donation: $55/session, or $8 drop-in. RSVP to karol@j-sei.org

New Beginning Ukulele Class

by Jill Shiraki | Dec 30, 2023 | Classes & Events

Beginning Ukulele

Tuesdays, 12:45-1:45

The joy of music is good for the soul. Learn and practice the basics of ukulele, from chords to strumming, and fine-tuning rhythm and voice. We offer this beginning class in 8-week sessions. Susan Sullivan has been teaching ukulele at J-Sei for many years. She invites you to join in her love of music. Suggested donation: $28/for 4 classes, or $8 drop-in. RSVP to jill@j-sei.org

33rd Annual Crab Feed