August 9 - Tribute to Alice Coltrane @ First & Central First & Central Summer Concert Series The First & Central Summer Concert Series in Little Tokyo continues on Thursday, August 9 at 6:30 pm with a celebration of the music of Alice Coltrane, The Coltrane name is synonymous with deeply creative, passion-filled modern music. This special evening is a tribute to the legacy of the family matriarch, the late Alice Coltrane (1937-2007), whose approach to the piano was nothing short of genius. Performers include her beloved Ashram Community Choir and The Universal Consciousness Orchestra featuring vocalist Dwight Trible. The concert will also include a set by Mrs. Coltrane’s talented nephew Flying Lotus. DJ Mark Maxwell will be on hand spinning a soulful mix of music throughout the evening. Guest Curator: Carlos Nino, Host, KPFK’s Spaceways Radio. FREE! Made possible, in part, by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; the James Irvine Foundation, and the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy.
August 11 - Los Angeles Doyo Charity Concert Singers Mimako Soga and Seiko Yabe dubbed the “Doyo Gumi” or the “Doyo Duo” from the Doyo Museum International in Kumamoto, Japan, will introduce Japanese songs originally published for educational purposes before World War II at the Colburn School in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, August 11. The Doyo concert will also feature the Red Lacquer Bridge Children Choir directed by Long Beach-based music teacher Judy Bohlen. Two concerts will be performed: at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The performances are being presented by Doyo Los Angeles, organized by Doyo enthusiasts here in L.A. in cooperation with the Doyo Museum International in Kumamoto. The Colburn School is at 200 South Grand Ave. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and seniors over 65. For tickets, call the main sponsor, Genmai Koso, Corp. at (562) 908-2456.
August 18 - Hiroshima @ Hyatt Westlake Plaza
Jazz-fusion super group Hiroshima will perform at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza on Saturday, August 18 at 7:00 pm. Hiroshima weaves the sounds of contemporary jazz with timeless Japanese folk music in a fascinating and absorbing tapestry. The seven-member Los Angeles band, led by June (considered one of the world’s leading koto players) and Dan (keyboards, sax, flute and shakuhachi) Kuramoto, offers an elegant evening of mixing ancient instruments with the wild strains of the newest synth sounds, electronic percussions, salsa and jazz. The award-winning group has released nine CD’s including “GO,” “Another Place” and “Urban World Music.” The Hyatt Westlake Plaza is at 880 S. Westlake Blvd. in Thousand Oaks. For info and tickets: (805) 557-1234 or westlakejazzseries.com.
August 20 - Non-Hokey Karaoke
Karaoke has been a popular form of entertainment beginning first in Japan, then the rest of East Asia, since at least the 1980s, and has since spread to other parts of the world. On Monday night, August 20, Cozy’s Blues Bar & Grill in Sherman Oaks will be more like a house party than a blues venue. Karaoke becomes a full evening of great entertainment as raw amateurs share the stage with prodigies, pros and the occasional celebrity. Shows are often standing-room-only. Always fun to watch. Never hokey. Early signup is recommended for singers. 9:00 pm Start - - $5 Cover. 14058 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks. (818) 986-6000.
August 25 - Satori Daiko @ John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
The performing ensemble of Taiko Center of Los Angeles, Satori Daiko, will perform in concert at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood on Saturday, August 25. The concert will begin at 10 am. Led by Reverend Tom Kurai, the founder of TCLA, Satori Daiko plays an eclectic mix of taiko music and Japanese traditional instruments with touches of world music. This “Sound and Dance of Asia” concert will also feature Korean and Chinese dance performances. Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy is the host organization. John Anson Ford Amphitheater is at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East. Children FREE (reservations required), Adults $5. For tickets, call 323-461-3673.
August 26 - NISEI WEEK TAIKO Gathering
The 13th Annual Nisei Week Taiko Gathering will take place on Sunday, August 26 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the JACCC Plaza in Little Tokyo. Experience the sheer power and human spirit of Japanese American taiko as Southern California taiko groups showcase their diverse range of taiko and performance style on the outdoor stage at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. Sponsored by Nisei Week and the JACCC as part of the 67th Annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival. For more information contact JACCC at (213) 628-2725 or visit jacc.org. Free Admission. JACCC Plaza is at San Pedro and Second Street.
August 9 - Tribute to Alice Coltrane @ First & Central First & Central Summer Concert Series 
The First & Central Summer Concert Series in Little Tokyo continues on Thursday, August 9 at 6:30 pm with a celebration of the music of Alice Coltrane, The Coltrane name is synonymous with deeply creative, passion-filled modern music. This special evening is a tribute to the legacy of the family matriarch, the late Alice Coltrane (1937-2007), whose approach to the piano was nothing short of genius. Performers include her beloved Ashram Community Choir and The Universal Consciousness Orchestra featuring vocalist Dwight Trible. The concert will also include a set by Mrs. Coltrane’s talented nephew Flying Lotus. DJ Mark Maxwell will be on hand spinning a soulful mix of music throughout the evening. Guest Curator: Carlos Nino, Host, KPFK’s Spaceways Radio. FREE! Made possible, in part, by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; the James Irvine Foundation, and the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. 
Singers Mimako Soga and Seiko Yabe dubbed the “Doyo Gumi” or the “Doyo Duo” from the Doyo Museum International in Kumamoto, Japan, will introduce Japanese songs originally published for educational purposes before World War II at the Colburn School in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, August 11. The Doyo concert will also feature the Red Lacquer Bridge Children Choir directed by Long Beach-based music teacher Judy Bohlen. Two concerts will be performed: at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The performances are being presented by Doyo Los Angeles, organized by Doyo enthusiasts here in L.A. in cooperation with the Doyo Museum International in Kumamoto. The Colburn School is at 200 South Grand Ave. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and seniors over 65. For tickets, call the main sponsor, Genmai Koso, Corp. at (562) 908-2456.
The performing ensemble of Taiko Center of Los Angeles, Satori Daiko, will perform in concert at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood on Saturday, August 25. The concert will begin at 10 am. Led by Reverend Tom Kurai, the founder of TCLA, Satori Daiko plays an eclectic mix of taiko music and Japanese traditional instruments with touches of world music. This “Sound and Dance of Asia” concert will also feature Korean and Chinese dance performances. Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy is the host organization. John Anson Ford Amphitheater is at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East. Children FREE (reservations required), Adults $5. For tickets, call 323-461-3673.
The 13th Annual Nisei Week Taiko Gathering will take place on Sunday, August 26 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the JACCC Plaza in Little Tokyo. Experience the sheer power and human spirit of Japanese American taiko as Southern California taiko groups showcase their diverse range of taiko and performance style on the outdoor stage at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. Sponsored by Nisei Week and the JACCC as part of the 67th Annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival. For more information contact JACCC at (213) 628-2725 or visit jacc.org. Free Admission. JACCC Plaza is at San Pedro and Second Street.