Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s peerless collection of more than 200 Japanese flowering cherry trees—the most diverse array outside Japan—creates an explosion of blossoms in spring worthy of a major celebration

Experience two days of the best of both traditional and contemporary Japanese arts and culture, including dance, martial arts, manga, costume play (“cosplay”), workshops, demonstrations, and guided tours of the Garden’s Japanese-inspired plant collections.

Among the more than 60 events and performances on the schedule for 2010 are a host of new features, including a performance by COBU, combining intense tap footwork with taiko drumming; a powerful and artistic karate demonstration by grand master Kaicho T. Nakamura and World Seido Karate; and a book signing with Maki Kaji, widely known as the godfather of sudoku.

Music, Dance, and Martial Arts
• Concerts by Brooklyn-based Japanese gypsy rock band Kagero and Okinawan-pop luminaries happyfunsmile
• Earth-shaking taiko drumming by Taiko Masala and Soh Daiko
• An electric performance by taiko drummers and rhythmic tap dancers COBU (founded by and featuring members of STOMP!)
• A thrilling karate demonstration with international dojo World Seido Karate
• The return of Samurai Sword Soul and its original action dramas
• Expressive traditional works by Dancejapan (featuring legendary dancer Sachiyo Ito, who has performed at every Sakura Matsuri since 1981)
• Vibrant Japanese folk dance, including the colorful Hanagasa Odori (Flower Hat Dance) parade and minbu dance by the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York.
• Butoh, a style of dance that emerged after World War II, performed by Dean Street FOO Dance

The Sakura J-Lounge: Cosplay, Manga, and Anime presented in partnership with the NY Anime Festival
• A high tea presented by BBG’s Parasol Society for the Victorian maidens, boho bo-peeps, and Tokyo goth girls;
• Artist Alley with renowned manga creators presenting their works for visitors to peruse and purchase
• An “Iron Cosplay” costume competition
• Animate It! live collaboration between artist Misako Rocks! and the voice of Pokémon, Veronica Taylor
• A Dance Party with performance quartet IchiP where visitors can practice the popular Japanese group dance para para with the pros
• A dazzling Cosplay Fashion Show featuring the most outrageous outfits, fabulous frocks and gee-willikers cosplay get-ups
• A manga library with nature-inspired comics for all ages • DJs Saiko Mikan and Eric B. spinning 1960s Japanese group sounds and rock tracks

Traditional Arts and Culture • Exquisite urasenke and sohrenyu-style tea ceremonies
• An introduction to Japanese hot-pot cooking with Matsuri chef Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat
• Vintage kimonos for a fabulous visitor photo op
• Washi ningyo (paper) and mataro ningyo (wooden) doll-making demonstrations and exhibits

Flowers, Bonsai, and Garden Tours
• Ikebana flower-arranging demonstration and exhibit with expert Fumiko Allinder
• BBG’s curator of the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum shares his expertise in The Art of Bonsai
• Bonsai advice for home gardeners and Living Sculpture display by Friends of Bonsai club
• Trained BBG Garden Guides lead tours of the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden and the Bonsai Museum, plus a general Seasonal Highlights tour

If You GoFestival hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 2. All activities take place rain or shine, with indoor locations provided for most activities in the event of rain. Information is available by calling the public events hotline at 718-623-7333. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students with ID; kids under 12 are admitted free of charge. Admission fees will be charged all weekend, including Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. (On all Saturdays without scheduled public programs, the Garden will continue to extend free admission from 10 a.m. to noon.)

For more information on BBG’s flowering cherries and Hanami events, please visit BBG.org

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2010