MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Egretta restaurant in Iwakuni, Japan, rolled out a carpet in Hollywood fashion to station residents for The Red Carpet Event of Iwakuni 2016 on July 16, 2016.
In an attempt to integrate the American and Japanese cultures, the event featured a red carpet photo shoot, buffet, fashion show, magic show and an after party, which offered music and dancing.
Local businesses throughout Iwakuni gathered at Egretta’s to show station residents some of the beauty and entertainment the city has to offer. Station residents spend a few years in Iwakuni and miss out on many things.
“There’s a lot of beautiful things in Iwakuni and what a better way than to share all the information in one big night,” said Giovanni Lantieri, the event host.
Different styles of food proved to be a great start to the evening as station residents and locals found themselves sitting amongst one another with the opportunity to bond and find common interests.
Once guests finished their meals, they proceeded upstairs where they took their seats for the start of the fashion show. The fashion show highlighted the artwork of various businesses through models who volunteered for the event.
“The fashion show was to introduce people to the options of what’s out there to prepare for things like the Marine Corps ball,” said Lantieri. “It’s all about helping the station residents and by bringing the local community into it, we create a good relationship while solving a common problem like where station residents can go in order to prepare for big events.”
As the fashion show came to an end, guests then enjoyed the magic show that followed. Japanese and American performers graced those in attendance with talents of different styles such as juggling and magic. “The ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ from the crowd were the reactions we were hoping for,” said Saori Rastall, a translator for The Red Carpet Event of Iwakuni 2016. “Bringing out joy from the station residents and locals helps them feel comfortable with each other.”
Along with sharing culture, the event offered an opportunity for locals and station residents to enjoy themselves through dancing to close out the evening. Music filled the room as guests crowded the floor and danced the night away.
“I think everything went smoothly, it was a great turn out and people seemed to enjoy themselves,” said Dina Roman, a model for the fashion show. “The entertainment and fashion show were great.”
After all the event had to offer, transportation was arranged to shuttle station residents back to the air station to make the night as seamless as possible.
“This event was important for everybody because we are a base built on community, we’re here overseas for community,” said Lantieri. “It’s a way for everybody to get together in one night and share the culture.”
The Red Carpet Event of Iwakuni 2016 took a lot of coordination and the turnout was tremendous. Locals as well as station residents came together to put the event together. Friendships and memories were made between different cultures and interests.
“We had a phenomenal team that put this together,” said Lantieri. “It felt good to see everyone who attended enjoying themselves, and I hope they can get together next year and put on this great event again. It’s something I would like to see continue on and become something the station residents and locals look forward to.”