JASI Annual Gala
Keynote Speaker:Tatsuhiro Shindo, Chief Executive Director, JETRO-Chicago“Japan: Road to Recovery
Challenges and Opportunities”
Jake Shimabukuro, Ukulele Virtuoso
The Japan-America Society of Indiana’s (JASI) Annual Gala will feature ukulele virtuoso JakeShimabukuro (she-ma-boo-koo-row) on Tuesday, June 12th, 2012, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom,with keynote speaker Tatsuhiro (ta-tsoo-hee-row) Shindo (sheen-do), chief executive director of
the Japan External Trade Organization-Chicago, speaking on “Road To Recovery: Rebuilding
Japan After the Disasters.” The program will also recognize the one-hundred year anniversaryof gala title sponsor Duke Energy Indiana as well as the twenty-fifth year anniversaries of Japaninvested companies in Indiana such as Subaru of Indiana Automotive.
“After several years of working to invite Jake Shimabukuro to Indianapolis, we’re excited tofeature him at JASI’s annual gala,” said Theresa Kulczak, executive director of the JapanAmerica Society of Indiana (JASI). “When we tell folks who haven’t heard of Jake that aukulele player will headline the event, they’re not sure what to think. But Jake’s revolutionary
take on the instrument creates an incredible and dazzling performance.”
Based in Hawaii, Jake Shimabukuro has his own record label and tours extensively in the U.S.
and Japan. Shimabukuro has taken the four-string, two-octave instrument to places no one hasgone before, performing awesome music that ranges from jazz, blues, and rock to bluegrass,classical, and folk. His live performances are an out-of-the-box blend of stunning virtuosity, deep
musicality and a natural entertainer's flair.
“The two-part program with Mr. Shindo’s keynote presentation on the progress of Japan’srecovery combined with Jake’s powerful performance will reflect the bright light and hope thatare symbolic of the rebuilding effort taking place in the Tohoku region of Japan, hit just over one
year ago by the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami,” said Pawel Fludzinski, president of JASI’s
board of directors.
The Japan-America Society of Indiana has received almost $900,000 in donations, placing it
fourth in the country after similar organizations in New York, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. 100%of JASI’s contributions have been directed to relief organizations in Japan.
“JASI will give a brief report on the special projects funded by JASI’s Japan Earthquake Relief
Fund, such as the three-way partnership facilitated by JASI and the Japan Emergency Network inwhich forklifts were supplied by Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing of Columbus,
Indiana, to a fishing village in Miyagi Prefecture destroyed by the tsunami. Another innovative
project that has received funding from JASI is the “Kitchen Car” initiative coordinated by theJapan Center for International Exchange (JCIE). The JCIE has invested in a small fleet of foodtrucks for local chefs who lost their restaurants in the disasters. The food trucks serve thedevastated towns and temporary housing units to provide low cost, high quality fare. It offers
support on many levels, stimulating the local economy by putting a small restaurateur back towork and creating a path back to ownership, as well as creating a community gathering place fordisplaced survivors and local citizens,” added Fludzinski.
The Japan-America Society of Indiana is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit cultural and educationalorganization, and on an ongoing basis offers dedicated support to Japanese and American
individuals, companies, and communities throughout the state.
“JASI’s annual gala has grown every year in attendance and corporate support to become one of
the largest-attended Japan events in the Midwest, bringing together Japanese and American
executives, community leaders, and individuals not only from Indiana but from throughout thecountry,” commented Kulczak.
The Patrons’ Reception will take place 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. with General Reception from 6:30 to
7:00 p.m. and Dinner and Program from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Registration is available through theJASI office at (317) 635-0123.
Sponsors include Duke Energy Indiana, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., AISIN, Barnes &Thornburg, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, Inc., Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.,Eli Lilly and Company, Hoosier Energy, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, andToyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc.
Detailed information and Online Registration for the Annual Dinner are available atwww.japanindiana.org###
About the Japan-America Society of Indiana:
The Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI) is a not-for-profit cultural and educationalorganization whose mission is to serve as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between thepeople of Indiana and Japan. The Society is supported by a diverse membership of businesses,
economic development agencies, educational institutions, families and individuals. Founded in
1988, membership in the Society includes over 1500 individual and corporate representatives
located throughout the state. The organization cooperates with the Consulate General of Japan,
the State of Indiana, communities, businesses, and cultural and educational institutions topromote interaction, cultural understanding, and economic partnerships.
About Jake Shimabukuro (excerpted from Jake Shimabukuro website/press):
It’s rare for a young musician to earn comparisons to the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis.
It’s even harder to find an artist who has entirely redefined an instrument by his early thirties.
But Jake Shimabukuro has already accomplished these feats, and more, in a little over a decadeof playing and recording music…on the ukulele. In the hands of Shimabukuro, the traditional
Hawaiian instrument of four strings and two octaves is stretched and molded into a complex andbold new musical force. On his most recent album ‘Peace Love Ukulele’ (which debuted at #1
on the Billboard World Album Chart), Jake and his “uke” effortlessly (it seems) mix jazz, rock,classical, traditional Hawaiian music, and folk, creating a sound that’s both technically masterfuland emotionally powerful…and utterly unique in the music world. No less than the New YorkTimes recently noted his “buoyant musicianship” and “brisk proficiency,” adding, “theinnovation in his style stems from an embrace of restrictions: the ukulele has only four stringsand a limited range. He compensates with an adaptable combination of rhythmic strumming,classical-style finger-picking and fretboard tapping.”
Jake’s career skyrocketed when a YouTube clip of him performing “While My Guitar GentlyWeeps” in Central Park went viral – over eight-million views and counting. In the years sincethat clip aired, Shimabukuro has performed with Bela Fleck and Flecktones, Bette Midler, YoYo Ma, Cyndi Lauper, Ziggy Marley, Levon Helm, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Les Paul,
Dave Koz, Chris Botti, and Jimmy Buffett. He’s played on shows like “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,”“The Late Show with Conan O’Brien,” “The Today Show” and “Last Call with Carson Daly,”
was a featured artist on NPR’s “Weekend Edition,” and more recently was a featured artist on
Rolling Stone Live. He’s landed slots on the Monterrey and Playboy Jazz Festivals, performed at
Google and the influential TED conference, and performed in front of the Queen of England inBlackpool (alongside Bette Midler). Shimabukuro also received a cameo in the Adam Sandler
movie “Just Go with It,” where he also recorded a few songs for the soundtrack.
Japan-America Society of Indiana
Union Station39 W. Jackson Place, Suite 50
Indianapolis, Indiana 46225(317) 635-0123www.japanindiana.org
CONTACT:

Theresa Kulczak, Executive Director
Japan-America Society of Indiana
email: Theresa.kulczak@japanindiana.org
mobile (for media only, not for publication): (317) 409-6771