The Japan Center at Stony Brook is hosting the 16th Annual “Sakura Matsuri” Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday, May 1, from at 12 pm to 5 pm, at the Charles B. Wang Center.
Beginning at 12 pm with the exciting sounds of the Taiko Drums, the day is filled with exciting 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. Japanese lunch and tea will be on sale at Jasmine.
This year the festival includes a special presentation of Cosplay, the Japanese art of dressing up as anime and manga characters. There will be two separate theater performances and workshops in Ikebana, Tea Ceremony, Shakuhachi and Haiku. Entrance to both shows and all workshops: $20/Adults, $15/Seniors and Students, free for ages under 12.
Demonstrations, Exhibitions, Performances
Koto and Samisen: Masayo Ishigure and her ensemble, Miyabi; Ms. Ishigure has played with prestigious symphony orchestras around the world.
Okinawan Songs and Dance: Junko Fisher will dance and sing Okinawan classical and folk songs, which are designated as a World Cultural Heritage Art.
Japanese Traditional Dance: Ichifuji Kai will contribute traditional and classical Japanese dance.
Ryu Shu Taiko and Taiko Tides: A repertoire of Taiko drumming.
Activities for children:
Origami, workshops in martial arts and Taiko, Japanese demon mask coloring, brush writing, ninja star toss and more.
Activities for adults:
Japanese tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arranging), kimono, shakuhachi performance (bamboo flute) and haiku poetry readings, martial arts demonstrations, kendo (samurai swordsmanship), and a special presentation of naginata (women samurai art of the halberd and Iai-do).
For more information visit the website, or call Ryu Shu Kan at (631) 698-2467 or the Wang Center at (631) 632-1944.
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