The Tokyo Tower Challenge

By R B R UI UI

While wandering Roppongi and the neighboring areas I was always able to get my bearings by looking up at that colossal orange beacon, the Tokyo Tower. I made it a point to make my way to the landmark to check it out up close and personal. Inside the ground floor of the tower is a mini-mall complete with a food court, sweet shops, and various souvenir shops with all sorts of tower-themed items, from 3D puzzles to tower shaped water bottles. I walked into the lobby and, although the place was lively, there was no line to purchase my ticket to the top. They handed me my ticket and a map and informed me that there were two ways to the top – the elevator or the 600-stair challenge. In the spirit of adventure, I took the latter option –challenge accepted!

When I approached the bottom of the stairs I noticed a Tokyo Tower photo prop along with a camera stand to make sure everything is framed just right. Once again there was no line (What? No takers on the stair challenge?) so I took my time taking the perfect selfie. I then e changed my ticket for a Tokyo Tower Challenge certificate and started to make my way up. I found that it only took around twenty-five steps for me to begin to feel a bit winded but I pressed on, after all there were only 575 steps left to go. Along the way there are posters with cute chibi characters doing silly stair-related stu . I cannot read Japanese but I liked to imagine they were saying something profound and inspirational, cheering me on as I made my way to the top.

After what seemed like a very, very, very…very long time, I had finally reached the observatory where there was another photo station, so I took some very sweaty post-climb selfies. The view of the city from the observatory was incredible! The city sprawled into the distant fog and beyond, ending at the base of the mountains. The skyline was a backdrop of skyscrapers – in the foreground were ancient temples and cemeteries alongside neon billboards and glittering lights. I took my time photographing the view before scurrying tentatively across the glass bottom floor and heading back down the stairs. After climbing up and down all those stairs I had worked up a bit of an appetite. I had been on a pretty consistent diet of ramen or raw fish thus far so I decided to go with a bit of good ol’ American comfort food at … McDonalds, of course. When I got there I noticed all the di erent menu items that I couldn't get back home. Being the curious sucker I am, I ordered one of each of the Japanese-style burgers. There was a Samurai burger, a teriyaki burger, and a sweet shrimp burger. The hamburgers were basically the same as burgers we get in America with the addition of a soy-based sauce. The shrimp burger was like a fried shrimp cake with sweet and spicy sauce, tartar sauce and lettuce in a bun – not great, but I’m glad I tried it. In fact, I ate them all. In the end, I left McDonald’s feeling a bit gross as I suppose anyone who had just eaten three large fast-food burgers in one sitting would. But then again, I earned it!

4th – 30 th The Road to Mecca

Z Below, San Francisco

Set in a small South African town, The Road to Mecca follows eccentric aging widow who fills her house and overgrown garden with life-sized sculptures and statues that represent a fantasy pilgrimage to Mecca. Spurned by neighbors who think her crazy, the artist is compelled to keep at her solitary work, which not only transforms her world into a magical paradise but creates a testament to artistic freedom in the midst of repression and political turbulence. A struggle ensues as a young schoolteacher advocates for the aging artist, while a conservative pastor friend insists that she is declining and should be moved away from her beloved refuge. Tickets and information at zspace.org.

June 7th – July 2 th

Steel Magnolias

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

Head on over to Truvy’s Beauty Salon, where the curlers are hot and the gossip is hotter! Nestled in smalltown Louisiana, it’s the place to go for the best ‘dos, the best advice (whether you asked for it or not) and the best friends you’ll ever meet. Join Truvy, the irascible Ouiser, protective M’Lynn and her soon-tobe-wed daughter Shelby and a host of other memorable women as they banter, bicker and bond through the years, forging a sisterhood strong enough to carry them through all of life’s triumphs and tragedies. Ticket Office: 650-903-6000 | mvcpa.com.

10th Kristi Yamaguchi Family Literacy Festival

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

A jam-packed day of celebrity and author readings, hands-on activities and art projects, and family-friendly entertainment will be at the museum to promote literacy and family fun. Olympian gold medalist and New York Times bestselling children's author Kristi Yamaguchi and silver medalist Polina Edmunds, author and illustrator Tim McCanna, New York

Times bestselling children's author Jennifer Fosberry and musical groups

Alphabet Rockers, and Andy Z. will be at the museum creating a magical experience for all.

10 th – 11th

The Artichoke Festival

Monterey County Fair & Event Center

This year’s 63rd annual festival will return to the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey with the theme “Thistle be Fun: Artichoke Festival 2023.” Enjoy artichokes, chef demos, live music, family fun, wine tasting and more! This year is a Saturday night-only standup show, featuring the Thistle Be Funny Comedy Show. Get your tickets at www.artichokefestival.org today!

The Wonderful Adventures of Nils: 7 Flights with Wild Geese

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

A mischievous prankster Nils is turned into a gnome for his cruelty to the weak and vulnerable. An unexpected journey with wild geese in the North changes him completely and he becomes a considerate, loyal friend. Based on the beloved novel by Selma Lagerlöf. Performed entirely in Russian. Ticket Office: 650-9036000 | mvcpa.com.

15th – 18 th

48th Annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival

Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley

Set amongst the scenic Sierra Foothills, this year’s festival features a lineup of the top national, regional, and local bluegrass performers on three stages over the course of four days. To further enhance the festival experience, the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival also o ers free workshops, camping, non-stop jam sessions by musicplaying fans, informal square dances, an acclaimed Youth Program, a widerange of food and beverage vendors, and more. Single day tickets ($20–$80) and full festival passes ($65–$195) are available now by visiting www. fathersdayfestival.com.

17th Papapalooza

Bruns Amphitheater, Orinda

This summer on the day before Father’s Day, celebrate your pops, papas, and grandads during Papapalooza at the spectacular Bruns Amphitheater. In its fourth year, the event will offer an eclectic mix of music ranging from the 60’s to the 2020’s from 5 amazing and talented local bands: The Ripplers, Sixteen Scandals, Delta Deuce,

Ancestral Water and Chupacabra. Plus, solo appearances from Chelsea Ames and Abby Hallett. Food and beverages include Classic Catering, Craft Beer from Canyon Club Brewery. Fun for all ages with a game zone and kiddie activities. Proceeds benefit Notes4Hope and The Diamant Foundation. Tickets: $20 and upTo purchase, visit notes4hope.org/ papapalooza

19th Juneteenth Community Celebration

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

Discover the vast richness of the African Diaspora through a mix of short films created for children by seasoned and emerging filmmakers that will run throughout the day. Drummer Pope Flyne, a Ghanaian-born performer, composer, and educator, will lead a drumming workshop and invite you to try your hand at some traditional African drums. Then top off the day by making your own percussion instrument!

June 22nd – September 9 th

A Chorus Line

San Francisco Playhouse, San Francisco

Continuing their long-standing history of collaboration, Ragazzi Boys Chorus will join forces with the Peninsula Girls Chorus for their sixth Siblings in Song, a rousing concert celebrating the dynamic performance skills of both groups. This concert will showcase Ragazzi’s Young Men’s Ensemble and Peninsula Girls Chorus’ Ensemble choir, concluding with an exciting finale featuring the combined voices. $30 General Admission; $20 Students/ Seniors. Free admission to current choristers wearing a Peninsula Girls Chorus or Ragazzi logo shirt when accompanied by an adult with a general admission purchase. For information or to order tickets, the public may visit Ragazzi.org or call (650) 362-4425.

July 12 th – August 6th

Alice Bliss

Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will close its 52nd season with the World Premiere musical Alice Bliss. This vibrant new work is an intimate and stunning tale of losing everything and living anyway; of a girl who hits rock bottom, finds her mom there, and begins to grow up. Full of humor, hope, grief, and sheer teenage joy, this brilliant new musical is based on Laura Harrington’s acclaimed novel in which young Alice and her family navigate life after her father is deployed to Iraq and reported missing in action.