Community Event: "Toronto to Japan: Hope Blossoms" gala fundraiser on April 21/11

Hope Blossoms is a night of entertainment inspired by the grand tradition of the Japanese variety show.

Canadian icons including Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Jian Ghomeshi, Adrienne Clarkson, Bob Wiseman, Basia Bulat, Jim Cuddy and Oh Susanna will share the stage to bring Torontonians laughter, tears – and hope. Not only a fundraiser, this is a show of solidarity for the people of Japan.


Entirely volunteer-run, Toronto To Japan is inspired by the Japanese notion of ganbaru (頑張る) – to do one’s best, to persevere in times of difficulty. Though ten thousand kilometers separate Toronto from Japan, we hold the tragedy of the earthquake and tsunami in our hearts – and there too blooms our hope.

All proceeds will be donated to the relief and reconstruction efforts on the ground in Japan by the Japanese Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and Second Harvest Japan.

Our Silent Auction will feature items and services generously donated by a long list of fine businesses. Bidding starts at 6:30 p.m. so come early! (Cash, Mastercard and VISA will be accepted.)

For the complete listing of performers and silent auction donors, please visit the Toronto to Japan event site.

$40 tickets are available through the TIFF Bell Lightbox Box Office by calling 416-599-TIFF (8433), or in person at the Lighbox at 350 King Street West.

$20 tickets for students with valid ID may be purchased by clicking here.

For more information, please contact the event organizers.

April 15/11: CJS Movie Night - "All Around Us"

The Canada Japan Society continues its 2010 – 2011 Movie Nights season this Friday (April 15th), with a screening of Ryosuke Hashiguchi’s “All Around Us,” an unflinching look at a couple’s marriage set against the backdrop of Japanese society from 1993 to 2001.

At first, laid-back Kanao (Lily Franky) runs a shoe-repair shop and flirts with the ladies, while Shoko (Tae Kimura) works at a publishing house and likes things to be orderly (sex with her husband is planned exactly three times a week in her calendar). We see them evolve as a couple and as individuals, as they react to the various cruel realities of life. Running parallel to the couple’s significant life events are the grim events occurring in Japan, from the early-90’s economic collapse to the 1995 subway sarin gas attacks and other high-profile crimes.

In turns uplifting, gloomy and humorous, “All Around Us” reminds us of life’s quiet sorrows and triumphs, and the fragile beauty of human interconnectedness.

As always, there will be an after-party at Everest Café (232 Queen W). Please join us!


ALL AROUND US (2008, 140 minutes)

Director: Ryosuke Hashiguchi
Cast: Lily Franky, Tae Kimura, Tamae Ando

Friday, April 15, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
National Film Board Theatre
150 John Street (at Richmond)

CJS Members $5, Non-Members $10