The Grateful Crane Ensemble (GCE), under the leadership of Executive Director and Playwright Soji Kashiwagi, presents Grateful Crane Shows Over the Years—a special performance highlighting the Ensemble’s artistry from 2001–2025.

Through music and storytelling, GCE shares timeless songs and stories that illuminate universal human experiences while honoring Japanese and Japanese American history and culture. This program showcases highlights from the Ensemble’s repertoire, including traditional Japanese children’s songs, wartime stories of resilience, tributes to Japantowns, comedic takes on Japanese pop culture, and a celebration of legendary singer Misora Hibari.

Program Highlights Include:

• “Haru Ga Kita” and “Yuyake Koyake” – Traditional children’s songs performed at Keiro’s retirement home (2001)

• “Sentimental Journey” and “Moonlight Serenade” – Songs from Camp Dance (2004), recalling high school students’ resilience behind barbed wire during WWII incarceration

• “Ue o Muite Arukou” – From Nihonmachi: The Place to Be (2007), honoring the 100-year history of U.S. Japantowns

• “Momotaro” and “Usagi to Kame” – Beloved children’s stories brought to life (2010s)

• Selections from Natsukashi no Kouhaku Uta Gassen – A playful spin on Japan’s iconic New Year’s Eve music contest

• “Kawa no Nagare no Youni” and “Hibari no Madorosu-san” – A tribute to Misora Hibari, Japan’s all-time favorite singer and entertainer (2016)
   

Event Schedule (approximate):

• Introduction by Velina Hasu Houston – 5 minutes

• Musical Performance with Context by Soji Kashiwagi – 60 minutes

• Short Break – 10 minutes

• Post-Performance Talkback with Ensemble, moderated by Velina Hasu Houston – 20 minutes
   

Join us for this unique journey through 24 years of Grateful Crane Ensemble’s storytelling and music—an uplifting celebration of memory, culture, and community. This event is presented by the Shinso Ito Center and co-sponsored by the East Asian Studies Center.