On Thursday, July 7th, a benefit event will take place at St. Ann’s Warehouse from 3-7pm. It will raise money for the children affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The folks spearheading the event are ITO EN (a Japanese tea company with offices and distribution locations in Dumbo) and the Fulton Ferry Business Association. Many (if not all, it seems) of the Dumbo restaurants and businesses are participating. Free food, live Japanese music and free photograph/portraits (by a Dumbo resident) will be available for small donations. Some small children’s summer kimonos are there to try on as well.

July 7th is a special celebration day in Japan called Tanabata where two stars meet each other on the 7th day of the 7th month. People generally celebrate this day by writing wishes, sometimes in the form of poetry, on tanzaku, small pieces of paper, and hanging them on bamboo trees. The benefit will also allow the Dumbo children attending to write wishes for the Japanese children.

This will be a nice opportunity for folks that are still in town to learn about Japanese culture, as well as give back to those who are in need. Japanese Public TV will also be covering the event.

If you cannot attend the event, there is also the opportunity to make a donation via their website and Paypal: www.dumbotanabata.org.