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Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival Gala |
| Saturday, April 17, 7:00 PM | Please Touch Museum (Memorial Hall) |
4231 Avenue of the Republic |
Philadelphia, PA 19131 | Dress Code: Black Tie or Traditional Japanese Dress |
Presented by Continental Airlines, the 2010 Festival Gala is an elegant evening affair to welcome the spring time in high style with cocktails & sushi, a silent auction, a sake barrel breaking ceremony, dinner, and live music from Crosstown Traffic. Proceeds benefit the Japan America Society’s Community Cherry Tree Planting Project and the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia.
Individual Tickets: JASGP Members: $250; Non-members: $295
Table Sponsorship Information: Click here for details
Registration Deadline: Friday, April 9, 2010
Click here to register online. |
Other Festival Events
MAIN EVENTS
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Sakura Sunday |
| Sunday, April 11, 2010 | The Horticulture Center | Montgomery Dr. & Belmont Av. | Philadelphia 19131 | Adults: $5 Minimum Donation | Children 14 & Under: Free |
Join us at the Horticulture Center on April 11 for a spring celebration in the Japanese tradition of revelry beneath the blossoming cherry trees. Bring family, friends, neighbors, and pets to the centerpiece event of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival!
Featuring: Tamagawa Taiko Drum & Dance | Live Performances from Japanese Pop Punk Band UZUHI & others | Martial Arts Demos | Origami, Calligraphy & Crafts Stations | Souvenir Vendors | Food Court | Cherry Tree Planting Seminar | Japan's Cherry Blossom Queen | Tours of Shofuso Japanese House & Garden | the Subaru Sushi Experience | Prettiest Pet in Pink Contet | & much more! |
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Cherry Blossom 5K |
Sunday, April 11, 2010 | Shofuso Japanese House & Garden | 4700 States Drive | Philadelphia 19131
JASGP Members: $20 | Non-members: $25 | REGISTER ONLINE |
A new addition for the 2010 program, the Cherry Blossom 5K is an opportunity to get some exercise while taking in Fairmount Park’s beautiful scenery. Participants are invited to run or walk beneath the canopy of sakura in the morning before Sakura Sunday. Proceeds benefit the Community Cherry Tree Planting Project. For full details and to register, visit jasgp.org/5K.
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Music & Performance
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Yamamoto Kyogen |
| Wednesday, March 24, 7:30 PM |
Designated “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO, Kyogen, much like Noh, is a world-renowned form of traditional Japanese theater with a more than 600-year history. The Yamamoto Kyogen Company, on their debut U.S. tour, will feature two plays that are unique to the Okura School of Kyogen. Sponsored by the Japan Society.
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Rakugo in English |
| Monday, March 29, Doors open 5:30 PM | Free |
Prepare to laugh your obi off! In traditional “sit-down” style, comedian Katsura Kaishi will deliver a performance which has kept Japanese audiences in stitches for more than 400 years. Few can convey the hilarity of this art in English with such skill, so don’t miss this rare opportunity. Sponsored by the Japan Foundation and the Japan America Society of Iowa.
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Tamagawa Drum & Dance |
Monday, April 5 @ Swarthmore College
Tuesday, April 6 @ Haverford
College
Wednesday, April 7 @ University of the Arts
Sunday, April 11 @ Sakura Sunday |
The renowned Tamagawa Taiko Drum and Dance Group return to Philadelphia for a week of performances. Heart-pounding drum rhythms intermingle with elegant dances in breath-taking fashion to create unforgettable memories. Experience the relentless energy and stunning visuals as Tamagawa takes you on a journey through ancient and modern Japan.
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Film Screenings @ International House Philadelphia
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Fires on the Plain |
| Saturday, March 20, 7:00 PM |
An agonizing portrait of desperate Japanese soldiers stranded in a strange land during World War II, Kon Ichikawa’s Fires on the Plain is a compelling descent into psychological and physical oblivion.
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Shinjuku Boys |
| Wednesday, March 24, following Dream Girls |
Shinjuku Boys introduces three “onnabes” who work as hosts at the New Marilyn Club in Tokyo. Onnabes are women who live as men and have girlfriends, although they don't usually identify as lesbians.
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Gaea Girls |
| Saturday, March 27, following Good Wife of Tokyo |
This fascinating film follows the physically grueling and mentally exhausting training regimen of several young wanna-be “Gaea Girls”, a group of Japanese women wrestlers.
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Dream Girls |
| Wednesday, March 24, 7:00 PM |
This fascinating documentary, produced for the BBC, opens a door into the spectacular world of the Takarazuka Revue, a highly successful musical theater company in Japan.
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Good Wife of Tokyo |
| Saturday, March 27, 7:00 PM |
This wry and delightful film records Kazuko Hohki’s re-experiencing of Japan after spending 15 years in England and examines traditional attitudes toward women and those who are trying to live differently.
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Demonstrations & Workshops
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Japanese Culture Week @ Liberty Place Rotunda |
Tuesday, March 23 - Friday, March 26
12:00 - 2:00 PM | Free |
A week of lunchtime events highlighting the best Japan has to offer. Sponsored by Keisen Associates: Japanese Patents and Trademarks.
Tuesday, March 23 - Martial Arts Demonstrations: Aikido, Karate, and Japanese Sword
Wednesday, March 24 - Calligraphy Demonstration
Thursday, March 25 - Kimono Dressing
Friday, March 26 - Origami Demonstration
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Tea Ceremony @ Shofuso Japanese House & Garden |
| Saturday, April 10, 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM |
Enjoy tea served nodate style on the veranda of Shofuso Japanese House and Garden under the blooming cherries. Space is limited; reservations are required.
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Madame Saito’s Sushi Making Class |
Thursday, March 11, 6:30 PM
Thursday, March 25, 6:30 PM |
Drawing on 27 years of experience, Madame Saito will introduce you to the world of making sushi. Learn to make your own sushi and enjoy eating what you made!
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Sakura Social |
| Friday, March 26, 6:30 - 9:30 PM |
Come out to Society Hill’s newest hot spot, The Headhouse, for great beer, food, and people.
This new addition to the Festival is a great opportunity to socialize or network with others interested in Japan.
ALL YOU CAN DRINK beer provided by Kirin.
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Japanese Kaiseki Dinner @ Margaret Kuo's
Akari Room |
| Sunday, March 28, 4:30 PM |
Ikebana demonstration followed by traditional Japanese tea ceremony. A kaiseki style dinner will be served after guests sample the tea. Included are reception sake,demonstrations and multi course kaiseki style dinner.
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Madame Butterfly Dinner @ Margaret Kuo's Akari Room |
| Sunday, March 21, 5:00 PM |
Mrs. Fumiyo Batta, a highly accomplished vocalist, will perform traditional songs as well as Western operatic selections. Included are reception warm sake and a four course Japanese dinner.
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DINE OUT JAPAN |
| Sunday, March 28 - Thursday, April 1 |
From March 28 to April 1, 2010, our downloadable coupon will entitle you to a 20% DISCOUNT at 15 Japanese restaurants throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. A coupon download link is posted below. You will first be asked to fill out a very short survey, then your 20% discount coupon will become available for download. Download Now!
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Amateur Sushi Contest |
| Thursday, April 8, 6:30 PM |
Who has the best original sushi creation in Philadelphia? Judges will evaluate contestants’ entries and prizes will be awarded. Spectators can watch the sushi being made while enjoying sushi and sake. Hosted by Madame Saito, sushi-making instructor at Temple University.
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CHILREN'S EVENTS
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Ohayo Japan - Grow Up Great |
| Saturday, March 6, 11:00 AM |
Mrs. Fumiyo Batta, a highly accomplished vocalist, will perform traditional songs as well as Western operatic selections. Included are reception warm sake and a four course Japanese dinner.
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Cherry Blossom Queen Reads at the Story Castle |
| Sunday, April 11, 12:00 PM |
In honor of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival’s Sakura Sunday celebration, Please Touch Museum® at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park welcomes the Cherry Blossom Queen on Sunday April 11 at noon. The Cherry Blossom Queen will greet children and read a traditional Japanese story in Please Touch Museum’s Story Book Castle located in the Kids Store at the front of the museum.
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Japanese Story Hours @ Local Libraries |
| March 13 - April 12 |
Throughout the Festival, area libraries showcase Japan with readings of Japanese stories, games, and craft activities. For detailed information, visit the Festival website.
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Creating an Asian Dragon @ Morris Arboretum |
| Sunday, April 11, 1:00 - 2:15 PM |
Allison Zito, artist and teacher at Harcum College, will teach children a bit of Asian dragon folklore while they create their own colorful animated dragon toys to take home. Children will color, glue and assemble their paper dragon and add arms, hands and a tail. Ideal for ages 3 to 7 years. All materials are provided.
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| Support the JASGP Community Tree Planting Project |
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Help fund the purchase, planting, and maintenance of Philadelphia’s cherry blossom trees. Donations can be made in any amount and are are fully tax-deductible. |
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Show your support by becoming a JASGP member. Members receive discounts on program participation fees and more... |
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