This weekend the Seattle Buddhist Temple at 14th & Main is expecting thousands of people for their annual Bon Odori Festival. The Japanese tradition celebrates and honors the lives of deceased family and friends, with folk dance performances, food, cultural exhibits, and live music.
The food part sounds especially awesome, with teriyaki bento, domburi (beef & rice bowls), somen (cold wheat noodles in broth), and kori (shaved ice).
The two day schedule is:
- 4:00 PM Food booths, exhibits, cultural demonstrations open
- 5:30 PM Obon Service in the Temple
- 6:00 PM Dancing begins, Deems in the Beer Garden
- 10:00 PM Dancing ends
- 3:00 PM Food booths, exhibits, cultural demonstrations open
- 4:30 PM Obon Service in the Temple
- 5:00 PM Dancing begins, Emerald City Jazz Ensemble in the Beer Garden
- 8:00 PM Dancing ends
It all happens in front of the temple on Main Street between 14th & 16th Avenues. Note that Main Street will be closed to traffic on both days.