Concord’s Japanese Festival is back with cultural displays, food and music

The Diablo Japanese American Club’s Summer Festival returns July 29 and 30 after taking a three-year break during the COVID pandemic. People from all over the Bay Area are expected to attend the 64th festival at the Japanese American Religious & Cultural Center on Treat Boulevard.

“Since the pandemic, I think a lot of people have really missed the festival,’’ said Karen Sakata, president of the Diablo Japanese American Club.

The event will include displays and live demonstrations of Japanese culture and heritage, including Bonsai (miniature tree sculptures), calligraphy, Ikenobo (flower arrangements), Taiko (Japanese drums), Judo, folk and classical Japanese dancing, and

Kendo (Japanese swords). Obon, a Japanese tradition honoring ancestors and peo-

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Mercurio’s long-time friend and frequent hiking partner. “He’s as dedicated to family as he is to the area and the environment.”

ADVOCATE FOR DIVERSITY

Mercurio is driven by a commitment to diversity, inclusion and shared histories. Informed by his Italian heritage, Mercurio crafts his role around serving a diverse population.

He relates to the frustration many communities experience when people focus on negative stereotypes. Mercurio says that approaching the many cultures of our area in a different way “is attractive to me because I know what it feels like to have everybody always talking about the Mafia … then they forget about the Renaissance.”

He says negative stereotyping affects every group. “Almost every ethnic group has a similar story to tell, where (people outside the group) focus on the negative stuff that’s sensational. So, I do anything I can to even the playing field.” ple who have died, will also be a part of the festival.

Mercurio has already begun incorporating indigenous stories and increasing the visibility of indigenous history and culture on the trails.

“Recently, we added trail markers that have the local tribal names,” he says, noting that the district involves tribes in naming and translating trail information.

There will be no shortage

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PORT CHICAGO 50

Mercurio lights up when talking about the park in the works at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. He tells the story of the Port Chicago 50, who fought back against unsafe working conditions. “Fifty Black sailors refused to go back to work unloading ammunition from the ships after a ship blew up and killed hundreds of workers there during World War II,” he relates. You can tell Mercurio sees this moment of protest as a big part of what makes his ward so special. Struggles like this mean something personal to him. As director, Mercurio sees an imperative to tell stories of racial and class struggle, rippling throughout