You Are Invited / ご招待

On Friday, May 14th, Aozora Community is hosting our 5th annual Hoshizora “Starry Night” Gala, our biggest fundraising event of the year. This interactive virtual event will be held from 8:30 to 10pm and include an auction, raffles, wonderful entertainment and more. Even though we cannot gather in-person, let's be together under the same starry sky.
５月１４日（金）、私どもの年に一度の一大ファンドレイズイベントである星空GALAを開催いたします。今年はオンラインでのイベントとなってしまいますが、オークションやラッフル、エンターテイメントなどなど例年通り盛りだくさんの内容を企画しております。離れていても、同じ星空のもとで皆様とお会いできますことを楽しみにしております。

Entertainment / エンターテイメント

Kaoru Watanabe / 渡辺薫

Composer and musician Kaoru Watanabe grounds his performance in traditional Japanese music while inhabiting a startling combination of musical worlds. He is renowned for his ability to collaborate with a diverse array of visionary international artists.Born to Japanese parents who were both members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Watanabe started playing Western Classical music at an early age, then graduated from the Manhattan School of Music as a jazz flute and saxophonist, followed by a decade in Japan performing with and eventually directing the internationally acclaimed Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble Kodo. Watanabe returned to New York City to continue developing his ever-evolving musical voice, specializing on transverse bamboo flutes such as the shinobue, noh kan and ryuteki and various Japanese percussion.

Katsura Sunshine / 桂三輝

In 2008, Katsura Sunshine became the 15th apprentice to the great Rakugo Master Katsura Bunshi VI, from whom he received the name Katsura Sunshine. Sunshine was the first ever Western Rakugo-ka in the Kamigata tradition (Osaka / Kyoto) and only the second in Japanese history, after his predecessor Kairakute Burakku a hundred years before. Sunshine has toured over 5 continents performing in 3 languages (Japanese, English and French). He made his London West End debut and New York Off-Broadway debut in 2017 for three-week runs in both cities. His open-ended run Off-Broadway at the famous New World Stages stopped at six months interrupted by the Covid-19 Pandemic, and is scheduled to re-open when Broadway theatres resume performances. Sunshine divides his time between Tokyo and New York, London and Toronto.

Tickets and Drink Specials / チケットとドリンクスペシャルのご案内

Our interactive event will be available on Zoom from 8:30 to 10pm for a limited number of households. Choose from the options below to get your tickets. You will have the opportunity to speak with other guests and the entertainers. Free viewership (viewing only) on Youtube Live and Facebook Live will become available on the day of the event.
このイベントはZoomでのインテラクティブ形式（対話型）で開催いたします。イベントに参加をご希望の方は、下のリストよりチケットをお選びいただきご購入ください。イベント中に他のゲストの方々やパフォーマンスの渡辺薫さんと桂三輝さんと対話する時間も設けております。イベント当日はYouTube LiveとFacebook Liveでイベントの様子をライブ配信いたしますが、その場合はインタラクティブ（対話型）での参加はできません。ご了承ください。

Shooting Star Ticket $10
Ticket is valid for viewership on Zoom (interactive experience) for those residing in the same household
2 Raffle Tickets

Super Star Ticket $25
Ticket is valid for viewership on Zoom (interactive experience)for those residing in the same household
5 Raffle Tickets

Little Dipper $40 (limit 25)
Ticket is valid for viewership on Zoom (interactive experience) for those residing in the same household
5 Raffle Tickets
1 bottle of wine donated by Leon & Sons
Must be picked up at Aozora (535 Clinton Ave) between 4-7pm on May 14th

Polaris $50 (limit 25)
Ticket is valid for viewership on Zoom (interactive experience) for those residing in the same household
5 Raffle Tickets
Okome Martini for 2 (Junmai Daiginjo Sake, Tequila, Elderflower, Shiso, Lemon, Yuzu Bitters -- Sake donated by Soto Sake)
1 Aozora sugar cookie
Must be picked up at Aozora (535 Clinton Ave) between 4-7pm on May 14th SOLD OUT

Orion $50 (limit 25)
Ticket is valid for viewership on Zoom (interactive experience) for those residing in the same household
5 Raffle Tickets
Far East Side Cocktail for 2 (Aged Sake, Haku Rice Vodka, Umami Bitters -- Sake donated by Hakkaisan, Vodka donated by Suntory)
1 Aozora sugar cookie
Must be picked up at Aozora (535 Clinton Ave) between 4-7pm on May 14th SOLD OUT

Big Dipper $100 (limit 25)
Ticket is valid for viewership on Zoom (interactive experience) for those residing in the same household
10 Raffle Tickets
Tasting of 18 year old Suntory Whisky (1oz Yamazaki & 1oz Hakushu--Whisky donated by Suntory & Bar Goto)
1 Aozora sugar cookie
Must be picked up at Aozora (535 Clinton Ave) between 4-7pm on May 14th SOLD OUT

We are so grateful to our drink sponsors. Bar Goto is making cocktails-to-go made with Soto Sake, Hakkaisan Sake, and Suntory Vodka. Do not miss your chance to taste two 18-year Suntory Whiskies donated by Suntory and Bar Goto.

Drink specials are only available until Tuesday, May 11th! Don’t miss out.

Buy Tickets

Raffle Prizes/ラッフル福引

Raffle tickets are included in all of the above event tickets. You can also purchase additional tickets here. The more tickets you buy, the better chance you have to win one of these five amazing raffle prizes! We will pick winners during our live Gala event on May 14th. You do not have to attend or be present at the event to win. Items cannot be shipped. They will need to be picked up at Aozora the week after the Gala.

Date Nights Raffle - $100 Olmsted Gift Certificate, $100 Wasan Gift Certificate, $100 1803 Gift Certificate, $50 Miriam Gift Certificate, 2 Noguchi Museum Admission Tickets, bottle of Amaro by Forthave Spirits, and bottle of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Self Care Raffle - Fire Cider Tonic and Shot Glass, Gift Box of Clean Logic Products, 17oz/500ml Swell Teakwood Water Bottle, Peter Doig Beach Towel, and A Little Lovely Light Box

Home Decor Raffle - Gold leaf bowl, $100 Rikumo Gift Certificate, Vitra Eames House Bird, and Accidentally by Wes Anderson

Foodie Raffle - 3lb box of Faroe Island Salmon (can be shipped local inNY/NJ), Signed Copy of On the Line by Eric Ripert, Whole Food Cooking Every Day by Amy Chaplin, 2 boxes of Misomaru, NY NOJO Fresh gift set, Koji Trio by Hakkoan, and Togiharu Damascus Sujihiki 27cm knife

Relax at Home Raffle - NAP Loungewear Sweat set in Large, Throw Blanket, Sequence Game, 5 books, and 3 bars Saipua Soap

Food Sponsors / フードスポンサー

We are so grateful that the following restaurants are helping us feel festive and enjoy good food at home. We’re encouraging all of our event participants to order food from one or more of our restaurant sponsors the week of our Gala (May 10-14).
今年はオンラインでのイベントになりますが、それぞれのご家庭で美味しい食べ物を楽しんでいただけますようにフードスポンサーのレストランにたくさんご協力をいただいております。イベントの週（５月１０日〜１４日）に、是非以下のレストランからフードをご注文ください。

To become one of our sponsors, click here for more information and to complete the sponsorship form.

shalom Japan.jpeg — 10% of all proceeds will be donated to Aozora Community between May 10-14! Eat in their Williamsburg restaurant, order food to go or get it delivered.

10% of all proceeds will be donated to Aozora Community between May 10-14! Eat at any of their NYC locations, order food to go or get it delivered (Brooklyn delivery available). Use the code AOZORA2021 to get 5%off your oder.

Online Silent Auction/ オンラインオークション

We cannot wait for you to try your luck in winning some of these amazing items! Bidding is OPEN. It will end on May 14th at 10:30pm. Auction items will not be shipped. They will need to be picked up at Aozora the week after the Gala.