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PRESS RELEASE: Morikami Announces new Let the Games Begin! Virtual Exhibit

Thursday, July 8, 2021 - 2:57pm

The museum’s photo archives also showcase the recreational pastimes of the Yamato

Colonists who settled in Delray Beach during the early 20th century. Naturally, they

embraced sports that were popular in America – such as baseball and golf. They also brought and shared some Japanese games and activities, including the card

game

hanafuda

and the board game

Go

. According to a 2016 survey by the International

Go Federation, over 46 million people worldwide who know how to play the game with

over 20 million current players.

Sumo

Let the Games Begin!

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Unveils New Virtual Exhibit

Showcasing Sports and Games of Japan

Delray Beach, FL – Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens recently added an exciting new online exhibition to its virtual library. Titled “Let the Games Begin,” the exhibit showcases the cross-cultural influence of sports and interactive games found

around the world.

One of the popular sports unique to Japan is sumo. Sumo is closely associated with the indigenous Shintō religion; the sport was introduced during the Yayoi period at the order of

Emperor Suinin (who reportedly reigned for 99 years from 29 B.C.E. to 70 C.E.). Pre- game etiquette in which sumo wrestlers engage in before fighting, such as stamping their feet and throwing salt stem from religious rituals. To win in sumo, wrestlers must push or pull the opponent out of the ring, or forcing them to the mat. Garbed in robes similar to those worn by Shintō priests, sumo referees are highly respected by both participants and fans for their decorum and judgment.

Archery

In Japan, as in many other countries, the horse symbolizes power and wealth as well as a crucial component to success on the battlefield. By the 7th century, mounted archery, called yabusame, had become a necessary marital arts skill, especially in the days before the sword was the weapon of choice for samurai warriors. By the Heian period (794- 1185), archery competitions were included in formal court ceremonies to honor ancestors and request protection for the community from the gods. After the 16th century – when guns were introduced from the West – archery faded as a combat skill, but continues as an aesthetic practice to refine both the body and mind. No longer on horseback, the marital art of kyūdō, or the way of the bow, came to be widely practiced. After WWII, high schools revived it as an extracurricular activity more closely related to archery in the West. However, in Japan the focus remains on self- improvement over scoring and awards.

Kendō

Similarly, another traditional martial art that developed into a modern sport is kendō. During the Shōtoku era (1711-1716), Naganuma Shirozaemon-Kunisato (1688-1767) developed new and more graceful techniques of wielding the sword created from actual battle skills, and shaped the foundation of formal routines, or kata. Later, protective gear and the bamboo-sword (shinai) were established as basic equipment. The playing area is a 33-foot square. Because you can circle your opponent in kendō (unlike Western fencing) there can be a lot of physical contact, and kendō practitioners are allowed to strike a player when they are down.

Kemari

Many traditional Japanese sports and games date back to the classical Heian period (794-1185). One example is the Japanese version of hacky-sack, or kemari. It was an engaging pastime for the elite and commoners alike at the Heian court with anywhere from two to 12 people divided into two teams who try to keep the hide-covered ball in the air as long as possible. The typical court has a dirt floor and one tree at each corner: ideally a cherry, maple, willow, and pine. The contemporary Kemari Preservation Society maintains the courtly traditions associated with the game.

Kites

Other games and contests invented in the Heian period began to thrive later in the Edo period (1603-1868), such as kite battles. One of the most famous kite events is the Hamamatsu Kite Festival. It dates back to 1558 as a celebration in honor of the local lord’s firstborn son. It is held annually on May 3-5 in the city of Hamamatsu, and features a contest on the beach where teams from over 100 different towns try to bring

down each other’s kites. These massive kites can be more than 11 feet wide and take several people to launch and control them. A smaller version of these fighting kites in the Morikami Museum Collection bears the symbol for the town of Kitamachi.

Kaiawase

Another favorite Heian pastime was the shell-matching game, or kaiawase, which came into full development by the 12th century. In the early years of the game, one would accumulate a set of shells with scenes painted on them and play with one to four people, usually kneeling on a mat or next to a low table. By the end of the 12th century, the full game set consisted of 360 illustrated clamshells. The matching lacquer boxes for carrying the pieces became more elaborate over the years, too.

Kendama

Another globally beloved game that flourished in the Edo period is the Japanese version of a cup-and-ball game called kendama. Legend states that French sailors brought bilboquet to Japan in the 1700s as a drinking game. The Japanese added two side cups of

different size to make it more challenging and today there are formal competitions held worldwide. Don’t miss the Kendama World Cup hosted by Japan on August 21-22, 2021.

Pachinko

In the early 1900s, a table game introduced by the French called Corinth evolved into Pachinko. A kind of up-right pinball machine and slot machine combined, the name Pachinko derives from the sound the metal balls make. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, they were primarily enjoyed by kids in candy shops, but gradually were taken over by adults for gambling. While gambling is illegal in Japan, Pachinko parlors circumvent the laws by awarding prizes, not cash; or you can take a prize ticket to a separate shop to exchange it for money. From 1937, production of Pachinko machines stopped as manufacturing shifted to support the war effort. After World War II the gaming industry revived; and today it accounts for more than 4% of Japan’s Gross Domestic Product annually.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information, please call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org.

For full Press Release with photos, click HERE

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PRESS RELEASE: Amanda Perna to Co-Chair Breast Cancer Walk in Downtown Delray

Wednesday, June 30, 2021 - 5:18pm

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Lindsay B Bennett

American Cancer Society

561.301.6028

Lindsay.Bennett@cancer.org

AMANDA PERNA TO CO-CHAIR BREAST CANCER WALK

American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of South Palm Beach welcomes Perna to their committee

Delray Beach, FL – June 10th – The American Cancer Society is proud to announce that Amanda Perna is the honorary co-chair of their Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of South Palm Beach committee. 

“They asked me and there was no hesitation; I just said yes!” said Amanda Perna.  “If I can help bring attention to this amazing cause and help honor breast cancer survivors, I’m in!”

As owner and designer for two brands, The House of Perna and Neon Bohemians, Amanda is no stranger to the non-profit world. With a studio at the Arts Warehouse in Downtown Delray, she frequently dedicates her time to Delray Beach based non-profits such as the Achievement Centers for Children & Families, Delray Beach Library and spent a lot of time making and donating masks to frontline workers and over a hundred organizations across the US at the height of the pandemic.

American Cancer Society Senior Development Manager, Lindsay B Bennett, said “It was an absolute no brainer when I knew my event was in South Palm Beach.  Amanda is so dedicated to spreading love and joy to everyone she interacts with. She loves Delray, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach as her “home base” and gives her time and resources anytime she can. I’ve known Amanda for many years, and to have her as part of our committee means the world us in the American Cancer Society.”

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of South Palm Beach event will be held at Old School Square in Delray Beach on Saturday, October 9th.  It will unite southern Palm Beach County communities to honor cancer survivors and caregivers touched by the disease, and raise awareness and funds for a world without breast cancer.  Registration will begin at 7 am. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation. If you are interested in getting involved, please go to www.makingstrideswalk.org/southpalmbeachfl or contact Lindsay B Bennett via Lindsay.bennett@cancer.org.

 

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ATLANTIC CROSSING: NORTH GARAGE STRUCTURAL STEEL ERECTION ALONG NE 6TH AVE. | JULY 6 - 12

Monday, June 21, 2021 - 2:19pm

Road Closure: Beginning Tuesday, July 6th we will be closing a single lane of northbound NE 6th Ave., (Federal Hwy), between Atlantic Ave. and NE 1st St. each weekday through Friday, July 9th and Monday, July 12th to erect structural steel and repair/replace curb along the west side of the buildings under construction at Atlantic Crossing. MOT will begin set-up on NE 6th Ave. Federal Hwy. beginning at 9:00 a.m. each morning and removed by 3:30 p.m. each afternoon on these days.

No work will commence on the weekend.

Local law enforcement will also be present to assist with pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Detour Routes: For northbound NE 6th Ave. will be west on Atlantic Ave. to NE 4th Ave., to NE 1st St. then northbound on NE 6th Ave. or East on Atlantic Ave. to A1A north to George Bush Blvd. West to NE 6th Ave.

 

Project Contact; John Sabatano

                           Urban 5 Constructors

                           (614)332-9573 Mobile

                           jsabatano@urban5constructors.com

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DDA Program Coordinator Job opening

Wednesday, June 16, 2021 - 6:06pm

The Downtown Development Authority is seeking candidates for the role of DDA Program Coordinator.  For the full job description, please see attached.  If interested in applying, please send your resume to lsimon@downtowndelraybeach.com by July 5th.

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Delray Beach Market Press Release - December 7, 2020

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 - 2:52pm

DELRAY BEACH MARKET TO LAUNCH AS FLORIDA’S LARGEST
FOOD HALL EXPERIENCE THIS MARCH

The Sprawling 150,000 Square-Foot City Hub Conceptualized by Menin Development will

Will Become An Artistic New Flagship Attraction for Residents + Visitors of Delray Beach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DELRAY BEACH, FL (December 7, 2020) – Poised to be America’s premier model food hall with heavy emphasis on artistic eye candy, Delray Beach Market by Menin Development is readying to open this March after a year of construction just half-a-block south of Atlantic Avenue in the heart of downtown Delray Beach, Florida.

A culinary phenomenon that not even COVID-19 could put a halt to, Delray Beach Market will serve as a physical homage to the Delray Beach experience, drawing from the town’s rich history as a travel and agricultural center as well as a winter escape for scores of unique personalities through the decades. Specialty food purveyors, innovative chef-helmed dining concepts and creative food incubators will be centered on local and ethnic gastronomy from established brick-and-mortar concepts to trendy food trucks. A creative beverage program, curated art and food exhibitions and an endless array of programming such as live music shows, culinary schooling, celebrity activations, and innovative events will be central to this new destination which will serve as a new flagship experience for Delray Beach, affectionately known as the Village by the Sea.

The culturally rich institution will deliver a recipe of equal parts market, community locale, art emporium, and culinary melting pot. Delray Beach Market will be the largest food hall ever to break ground in Florida and the very first in Delray.

“It’s been years in development and it’s finally here, ready to be revealed and to play host the nearly three million annual visitors to Delray Beach (Source: Downtown Development Authority). We’ve worked hard to analyze and forecast what Delray Beach locals were missing and what our friends from around Florida and the country would love to patronize in a new model food hall, and placed it all within this single destination for food lovers to enjoy,” says Jordana L. Jarjura, President & General Counsel for Menin Development.    

Standing four stories tall at 150,000-square feet and featuring over 25 local and regional eateries with a rotating lineup of smaller artisan vendor pop-ups throughout, the Market will put Delray on the national map for its unique culinary landscape. But beyond offering an architecturally striking arena for food and art to come together while welcoming over 2,000 visitors a day, Delray Beach Market will serve as both a communal and millennial hub for the city of Delray.

Opportunities for public gatherings through creative food museum exhibits, collaborations with the world’s greatest food artists, educational celebrity culinary demonstrations, as well as an abundance of activations for kids and families to partake in throughout the week will be central to the experience.

“Delray Beach Market will be as much about supporting up and coming chefs as it will be to housing experienced concepts ranging from eclectic to fast-casual and fine dining. The market presents the perfect eco system for operators hard-pressed to congregate together in a communal dining experience, with easy financial access and built-in customers,” says Andy Masi, Clique Hospitality Founder and CEO, whose team has been appointed to manage the facility.   

Construction on the food emporium began in November 2019 and includes 60,000-square feet of individually-curated hospitality vendors anchored amidst a backdrop of stunning, large format interactive murals and sculptures by world-renowned artists, a 220-car, four-level enclosed parking garage, first floor and mezzanine levels with an abundance of indoor and outdoor seating areas, as well as dedicated takeout/pick-up spots.

The main hall invites guests to enjoy the exciting sights and sounds of the Market, where a bright and eclectic mix of neon and retro modern signage sets the tone for communal or individual dining. A central bar will present the ultimate in build-your-own Bloody Marys along with a rotating menu of seasonal cocktails crafted by top mixologists.

A craft beer bar on the ground floor will offer a variety of craft beer selections from Florida’s celebrated local breweries. At the mezzanine level, an open show kitchen surrounded with lounge areas along with an additional bar will present a space ideal for hosting cooking and baking classes, while catering to private, corporate and special events.

Specialty COVID-19 design measures include touchless bathrooms, collapsible nanowalls for open-air spaces at the mezzanine special event level, two garage doors on the ground floor, enhanced air filter AC system, outdoor seating for 200, and plenty of socially-distanced spaced indoor seating.

“Our show kitchen will be completely furnished, ready for hosted entertainment with audience space and state-of-the-art audio and visual capabilities,” says Andy Masi. “Activations will be a constant curation here. We are going for big strategic partnerships and will have alliances with spirit brands, food brands and a healthy mix of food retail.” 

Notable restaurants on the ground floor will include Sorella’s, an artisanal handmade pasta house featuring Chef Jimmy Everett, a Florida native with extensive Italian cuisine experience in kitchens like Marea (New York City) and Al Molo (Hong Kong). Sorella’s unique product offerings will include fresh, handmade build-your-own-pastas as well as a variety of take-home retail items such as authentic sauces, pastas by the pound and other ready to eat items; Bona Bona, an over-the-top ice cream shop with a boozy streak known for wild concoctions like its toasted marshmallow merengue; Tekka Bar, an esteemed hand-roll and sake haven for sushi connoisseurs developed by acclaimed Las Vegas restaurateurs Takashi Segawa & Oliver Wharton, highlighting the freshest seafood alongside an eclectic sake program; and Tiffin Box, a fast, fresh Indian concept that aims to please the less traditional palate with delicately altered flavors and an amalgamation of recipes from different parts of India.

Visitors can also gear up for a day on the ocean at local retail icon Nomad, a family-owned and operated veteran surf shop established in 1968, offering quintessential surf, swim and beach apparel collections, skate apparel and more.

ABOUT DELRAY BEACH MARKET

The brainchild of Menin Development and Clique Hospitality, Delray Beach Market is the largest food hall to ever break ground in Florida. Home to over 25 individually curated vendors offering both local and eclectic flavors in contemporary digs, the 150,000 square-foot Delray Beach Market, located at 33 SE Third Avenue in the heart of downtown Delray Beach, Florida, will be a central community hub, offering a taste of the city like never before. The Market will be open seven days a week between the hours of 7am and 11pm. Learn more by visiting www.delraybeachmarket.com.

ABOUT MENIN DEVELOPMENT

Menin Development, Inc., headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, is a privately-held owner, developer and manager of commercial real estate properties. Menin has acquired, developed and remodeled, in excess of $1.5 billion of property in South Florida, Phoenix, New Orleans and throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.  Presently, Menin Development owns, manages and is in development of more than $700 million of commercial real estate. Current development is focused on urban commercial mixed-use, hospitality and multi-family projects in South Florida, along with select single-tenant acquisitions in upscale markets nationally. The company was founded by Craig Menin in 1985. menin.com

ABOUT CLIQUE HOSPITALITY

Clique Hospitality, founded by Andy Masi, is a collaboration of talented food and beverage professionals who have helped shape the dining and nightlife landscape along the West Coast for the past two decades. Masi has dedicated his life to making guests feel that a simple night out is more than just a memory, but also an experience. Clique is a boutique hospitality and marketing company with operations in Las Vegas, NV, San Diego, CA and Delray Beach, FL. Clique specializes in approachable dining that sets trends, rather than following them. In its partnerships with many of the country’s most prestigious hospitality corporations, including MGM Resorts

International, Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, Pendry Hotels, Montage Resorts, and Red Rock Resorts, Clique is transcending hospitality through service, quality, and trendsetting design.  

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Press/Media Contacts:

Michelle Soudry, The Gab Group, 561.750.3500, msoudry@thegabgroup.com

Kristen Skladd, The Gab Group, 561.750.3500, kristen@thegabgroup.com

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