TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Capstone International Center Japan Program will be celebrating the 23rd annual Sakura Festival March 1-31.
The Sakura Festival is held in honor of the time of ohanami, or viewing of the cherry blossoms.
The festival also exhibits the Japanese culture through music, dance, art displays, traditional Japanese green tea parties and a Haiku contest. This year’s theme for the festival is ame, or rain, to remind people of the emotions a single act of nature may evoke.
The festival brings people from throughout the Southeast to the University and Tuscaloosa; UA will host a number of events throughout the month-long festival, in addition to numerous events held in the surrounding community.
The schedule for the 2009 Sakura Festival includes:
- The deadline for the 19th Annual Haiku Contest of the 23rd Sakura Festival is March 2.
With the theme ame/rain, the contest provides an opportunity people in both Alabama and Narashino City to express emotions in words. Entries for the contest can be submitted in both English and Japanese and the winners will receive prizes. Information and entry forms are available at http://bama.ua.edu/~jprogram/sakura.
- Sakura Festival at the Children’s Hands-on-Museum
March 2-31
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., closed on Sundays
CHOM, 2213 University Boulevard, Downtown Tuscaloosa
Information is available at 205/349-4235. Admission is charged.
Celebrate Sakura Festival with a visit to CHOM’s Japan House, an authentic replica of a Japanese home. Visitors can create a variety of Japanese-inspired art projects throughout the month of March, including kimono doll bookmarks, origami kimono dolls, cherry blossom pictures, Japanese fans and framed Imperial Couple paper dolls. Creation Station will be open daily to make kimono doll bookmarks and view the Hina Matsuri-Doll Festival display in CHOM’s Japan House with additional activities each weekend. Free with museum admission.
Every day
Kimono doll Bookmarks, 2-4 p.m.
Saturday, March 7
Origami Kimono Dolls, 10:30 a.m. – noon & 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 14
Cherry Blossom Pictures, 10:30 a.m. – noon & 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 21
Japanese Fans, 10:30 a.m. – noon & 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 28
Imperial Couple Framed Paper Dolls, 10:30 a.m. – noon & 2 – 3:30 p.m.
- “Great Day Tuscaloosa” Sakura Festival television appearances. Tune in to “Great Day Tuscaloosa” on Comcast Cable Channel 20 to enjoy Japan’s traditional cultural activities and preview upcoming Sakura Festival activities.
At Noon | Featured Topics |
---|---|
Monday, March 2 | Michelle Slagie, Kimono Consultant |
Tuesday, March 3 | Children’s Hands-On-Museum (CHOM) |
Wednesday, March 4 | Ukiyo-e (Japanese art) |
Thursday, March 5 | Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission |
Friday, March 6 | Tuscaloosa Public Library |
Thursday, March 27 | Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission & a Narashino visitor |
- Doll Festival/Hina Matsuri Exhibit at UA International Center for Students
March 2-30
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
121-F BB Comer Hall, UA International Center for Students
Free admission
Beautiful dolls representing the traditional Japanese royal court will be on display in the tatami room. These precious dolls have been handed down from generation to generation. The Doll Festival, which was originally a purification ritual, represents a day of hope for the growth, happiness and future of young girls. For more information call 205/348-5256 or http://bama.ua.edu/~japan/sakura
- Hanga: Two Hundred Years of Japanese Woodblock Prints
Opening reception, Thursday, March 5, 6 p.m.
Art Gallery, Ferguson Center
Free admission.
To view by appointment, contact Catherine Pagani at 205/348-9944
The Ferguson Center Art Gallery will be the site of an exhibit of Japanese woodblock prints. Included in the exhibit are examples of ukiyo-e or “pictures of floating world,” from the 17th -19th centuries by such well-known masters as Utamaro, Hiroshige and Hokusai. This exhibit will also feature works by modern masters of the 20th century.
- Tea Ceremony at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens
By Lilly Kimata Eagleson, the Omote Seke tea master
Wednesday, April 15
Performances: 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Toshinan – Japanese Tea House, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham
Ikebana International Jefferson County Chapter 137 will present the Tea Ceremony at the Toshinan – Japanese Tea House. Enjoy the tea ceremony performance along with a cup of hot powdered green tea and a traditional Japanese sweet. Spaces are limited. First come, first served. For more information contact Jessie Bean, President of the Ikebana International Jefferson County Chapter 137 at 205/823-1985
- Sakura Festival at the Tuscaloosa Public Library
1801 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa
Information is available from Jana R. Fine at 205/345-5820
Free Admission - Anime Character Creations with Kittyhawk
Wednesday, March 11, 4:30 p.m., Weaver Bolden Library
Friday, March 13, 3:30 p.m., Tuscaloosa Public Library
Thursday, March 19, 3:30 p.m., Brown Library - Annual Art Contest at Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission
Deadline: Thursday, March 19
Art Contest Theme: Your Path to Peace
The contest is open to children from kindergarten through 12th grade from Narashino, Japan, Schorndorf, Germany, and all Tuscaloosa City Schools. Entries of the Sakura Art Contest will be displayed in the Center Court of the McFarland Mall and during Matsuri in the Mall March 28. There will be three categories: elementary, middle school and high school. Judging will take place at the Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission, Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion on Tuesday, March 24. Winning artwork may be selected to compete for cash prizes and national recognition in the Sister Cities International Young Artist Competition, which will take place in July. For more information contact Lisa Keyes at 205/469-2183 or lykeyes@dbtech.net
- Matsuri/Festival in the Mall
Saturday, March 28 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
McFarland Mall Center Court
900 Skyland Boulevard East, Tuscaloosa
Matsuri in the Mall offers an opportunity to experience Japanese culture through an exciting variety of cultural exhibits and performances. The event is designed to build friendship and to increase an understanding of the country and people of Japan. More information is available at 205/348-5256, Capstone International Center.
Matsuri at the Mall Booth activities:
Activity | Organization |
---|---|
Display & Sale of Bonsai | Leo Wagner |
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu | BTSD Tuscaloosa Bujinkan Martial Arts |
Overseas Exchange Programs-Japan | Capstone International Center |
Display & Sale of Student Ceramic Work | Crimson Ceramics Society |
“Lets Sumo” | Georgia Sumo Association |
Display of Flower Arrangement | Ikebana International Jefferson Country |
Kimono Display | Kimono Consultant |
Display of Okinawa Dance and Taiko | Miyagi Ryu Noshokai |
Information on Japan | The Consulate General of Japan-Atlanta |
Origami & Traditional Japanese Toys | The Japan-America Society of Alabama |
Information on Tuscaloosa Sister Cities | Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission |
“Fun with Japan Club” | UA Japan Club |
Japanese General Store | West Alabama Japanese Community |
Japanese Drum Ensemble | UA Nozomi Daiko |
Japanese Pop Dance Lessons | Unmatching Socks |
Stage Activities
Time | Performance | Organization |
---|---|---|
11- 11:05 a.m. | Opening Ceremony Nozomi Daiko-Drumming |
Kip Tyner UA Nozomi Daiko |
11:10- 11:40 a.m. | Music Performance by Suzuki | Violin UA Community Music Students School Suzuki Strings |
11:45- 12:15 p.m. | Bujinkan Budo Taijitsu | BTSD Tuscaloosa martial arts |
12:20- 12:50 p.m. | Nozomi Daiko – Drumming | UA Nozomi Daiko |
12:55- 1:25 p.m. | Traditional Japanese Swordsmanship | International Shinkendo |
1:30- 1:50 p.m. | Okinawa Dance & Eisa Taiko | Miyagi Ryu Noshokai |
1:55- 2:25 p.m. | Japanese Pop Dance | Unmatching Socks |
2:30- 3 p.m. | “Let’s Sumo!” | Georgia Sumo Association |
3:05- 3:35 p.m. | Sketch Comedy Show | UA Japan Club |
3:40- 4 p.m. | Okinawa Dance & Eisa Taiko | Miyagi Ryu Noshokai |
4:05- 4:35 p.m. | Traditional Japanese Swordsmanship | International Shinkendo |
4:40- 5:10 p.m. | “Lets Sumo!” | Georgia Sumo Association |
5:15- 5:35 p.m. | Okinawa Dance & Eisa Taiko | Miyagi Ryu Noshokai |
5:40- 5:45 p.m. | Nozomi Daiko – Drumming | UA Nozomi Daiko |
5:45- 5:50 p.m. | Closing Ceremony |
For more information about Sakura Festival events, contact the Capstone International Center at 205/348-5256 or http://bama.ua.edu/~jprogram/sakura.
Contact
Chloe LeBaron or Linda Hill, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325, lhill@ur.ua.edu