The Japan Center at Stony Brook is hosting the 17th Annual “Sakura Matsuri” Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday, May 7, from 12 pm to 5 pm, at the Charles B. Wang Center. Japanese lunch will be available for sale in the Jasmine restaurant.
Welcome spring to Long Island the Japanese way with the exciting sounds of the taiko drums, the elegance of Japanese dance and music, and a wondrous array of Japanese cultural exhibits and events for the entire family. This is the premier Japanese cultural event on Long Island.
Beginning at 12 pm with the taiko drums, the day is filled with fun activities for children and adults, the elegance of Japanese dance and music, and a wondrous array of Japanese cultural exhibits and events for the entire family.
This year features a Cosplay Fashion Show presented by Cosplay NYC magazine along with selected anime short films and a live performance by REAKT — a Japanese artist from Tokyo, Japan, currently living in the US. His music is a mix of Japanese pop, EDM, and hip hop, and he performs his songs in Japanese/English and covers Japanese anime songs.
Demonstrations, Exhibitions, World-Class Performers
- Kaoru Watanabe will perform modern taiko drumming with special guests Shane Shanahan, Masayo Ishigure and her Koto ensemble, Miyabi.
- Daniel Nyohaku Soergel will play the Shakuhachi bamboo flute.
- Junko Fisher will dance and sing Okinawan classical and folk songs, which are designated a World Cultural Heritage Art.
- Ichifuji Kai will perform traditional and classical Japanese dance.
- Ryu Shu Taiko and Taiko Tides will present their repertoire of taiko drumming.
- For children: origami, workshops in martial arts and taiko, Japanese demon mask coloring, brush writing, ninja star toss, and more.
- Setsuhi Shiraishi will give a special presentation of ShoDo (Japanese calligraphy) accompanied by Hideo Sekino on Shakuhachi.
- Partake in the Japanese Tea ceremony (Cha no Yu) and the unique art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and try Kimono Fashions.
- Performances of Shakuhachi bamboo flute will include the mysterious sounds of Zen Shakuhachi and a collaboration of Haiku poetry.
Tickets
Admission to the performances and the Tea Ceremony, Ikebana, Cosplay, Haiku, and Shakuhachi: adults $15, students/seniors $12, kids ages 6-12 $8 (kids 5 and under are free). For tickets, please call the Charles B. Wang Center at (631) 632-1944. For more information, call Ryu Shu Kan at (631) 698-2467.
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