22 dancers, 4 teachers, and accompanying personnel traveled to Japan for performances at the 2005 WORLD EXPO!

For planning details read the full SPINDULYS June 2005 Press Release.

*Click thumbnails for larger view.
Poster and program cover by Rasa Matulaityte-Hendrickson

Letter of congratulations from Lithuanian Ambassador to the U.S.:

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"It is a dream come true" says Mrs. Danguole Varnas, Director of Spindulys, " that American born students of Lithuanian descent traveled to Japan from Los Angeles, to be part of a global celebration, and performed folk songs and dances and establish friendship ties with the Japanese people!"

A 2003 Fulbright visit to Japan inspired Mrs. Varnas, a Mentor teacher in the LA Unified School District, a life long member of Spindulys and its Director since 1987 to promote the Los Angeles connection. Under her direction, Spindulys, "the ray of the sun," visited Nippon, "the home of the sun" bringing California sunshine.

Spindulys, a volunteer organization, has toured Europe, Australia and South America and has performed in annual local and national ethnic fairs. Its multifaceted approach has led to the successful production of a series of folk tale productions available on DVD and an album of song performances.

For more details read the full
SPINDULYS June 2005 Press Release.