Japanese Garden Event Helps Hurricane Relief

The Ichimura Miami-Japan Garden, a Zen garden just off the MacArthur Causeway in Miami Beach, hosted the Greater Miami and the Keys chapter of the American Red Cross' "kampai celebration" event for about 300 attendees.Upon arrival, costumed geishas both in the parking lot and at the registration table greeted guests, as did the Fushu Daiko drummers and a 10-foot man (on stilts, of course). Guests entered via a white tent decorated by three black Japanese symbols. From that point on, everybody was treated to a multisensory event experience.

In the open-air venue, attendees browsed the Zen garden, which consisted of various strategically placed rocks, a reservoir with a soothing waterfall, bonsai-like trees with Japanese lanterns (decorated with Asian symbols), and a sandy patch of land.

"People are here for the same reason I am, because we all belong to the same steering committee of the American Red Cross' hurricane and disaster relief. A portion of the proceeds from the menu will go towards that effort," said event mastermind John Rosetti of 2Taste Catering, who aside from planning the event also provided three food stations and two bars.

The authentic cuisine consisted mostly of sushi staples like eel, shrimp, and salmon. These tasty foods were complemented with vegetable and California rolls, as well as seaweed and edamame salads. Steak and chicken were also being made on a hibachi-style grill reminiscent of Benihana. Additionally, there were shrimp shaomai plus pork, beef, and vegetable dumplings. Almost everything was served on lettuce leaves or wheatgrass.

Decor at the event was kept simple as well. Various tables were nestled throughout the facility among the trees, from which large circular Japanese lanterns hung. Bright-colored spandex covered the tables, which were all decorated by a single Art by Flowers centerpiece. The final touch was equally colorful Japanese umbrellas strategically placed among the tables.

But what really stole the show were the performers that Suman Entertainment Group provided. Three Japanese women in traditional attire danced mostly with their hands and facial expressions. There was also Paul Anderson, who wore various entertainment hats: juggler, stiltwalker, fire breather, balancing performer, and more. Jorge Alfano contributed to the peaceful ensemble by playing the shakuhachi, a Japanese flute, and reading his music off paper covered in Japanese text, rather than traditional sheet music. Bringing percussion into the mix, two women taiko drummers put on a rather intense 15-minute show of their own. Finally, in her first performance ever, 10-year-old acrobat Emma Suman wowed the crowd with her flexibility and balancing acts.

On the way out, guests were treated to a gift bag customized with "Miami: I Love this City", which contained a hurricane-preparedness magnet and a mini DVD by See You at the Party.com containing a video montage of the festivities.

—Albert del Toral

Photos: See You at the Party.com (Asian slaw, sushi)