Date:  May 8, 2008

Contact:  Robert Graves, Public Services Librarian

Phone:  (310) 458-2201, x5956

A Geisha’s Journey at the Santa Monica Public Library

Santa Monica, California – In observance of Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, the Santa Monica Public Library is pleased to present a brief performance of dance and music by Kyoto geisha, Komomo, followed by a book signing, on Sunday, May 25, 2008, at 12:30 p.m., in the Main Library’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.  

A Geisha’s Journey: My Life as a Kyoto Apprentice is the story of Komomo, a contemporary Japanese teenager who, in a search for identity, became fascinated with the world of geiko—as Kyoto’s geisha are known—and discovered in herself the will and the commitment to overcome the many years of apprenticeship necessary to become one.  A Geisha’s Journey documents Komomo’s five year journey in her own words and lush, colorful photographs by artist Naoyuki Ogino.    

Komomo will celebrate the American release of A Geisha’s Journey with a brief performance of dance and music at the Santa Monica Public Library, and along with photographer Naoyuki Ogino, will discuss and sign copies of the book.    

Admission is free and all ages are welcome.  Seating is on a first arrival basis.  Please note: this program will begin thirty minutes prior to the Library’s regularly scheduled opening.

For more information on this and other Library events, contact the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600; or visit the Library’s web site at www.smpl.org.