“5th Annual Ft. Wayne Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival”
NEWS RELEASE dated March 22, 2011
5th Annual Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival
May 14 & 15
Presented by: Japanese American Association of Indiana, Fort Wayne Dance Collective, Fort Wayne Sister Cities International Inc.,AllenCountyPublic Library, IPFW –JapaneseSaturdaySchool
Sponsors (as of March 22): Howard & Betsy Chapman, TRIN. Inc., Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corp., VisitFortWayne, Petroleum Traders, Stucky Brothers Inc., Ferguson Advertising, Gabriel Delobbe, Tokyo Seoul, Woo’s Oriental Grocery & Mart, FAME, Foundation for Art and Music in Education, Ikasucon, City of Fort Wayne
When: Saturday, May 14, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. / Sunday, May 15, Noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Allen County Public Library, Main Branch (downtown)
Cost: Most events free for the public
A Japan Disaster Relief table will accept public donations to be sent through the American Red Cross to provide disaster assistance to people in Japan
Saturday Evening, May 14, 2011
a Special: A Magical Evening of Japanese Music – Library Auditorium 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Featuring World-renowned Yoko Reikano Kimura (koto/shamisen), local Philharmonic artists Hiromi Ito (violin), Hikaru Tamaki (cello), Akira Murotani (trumpet), and Bob Nance (piano),Daniel Quinn (guitar), Dorothy Kittaka (soprano),Janice Furtner (soprano) and members of the Fort Wayne Taiko
Seating is limited. Cost: $15 /adult (with $5 going for Japanese Disaster Relief)/ Children 12 and under, $5. For ticket information, contact Michele Yamanaka at 424-5070.
a Anime Films Showing: Meeting Rooms A,B,C. 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Cost; no charge. [Persons 12 years old and under MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult]
Opening Ceremony Sunday, May 15, 2011
Fort Wayne Taiko
12:15 p.m. Opening Ceremony
Fort Wayne Children’s Choir
singing the Star Spangled Banner and the Japanese National Anthem, and
Sakura, Cherry Blossom (in Japanese)
Mayor Tom Henry with the Official Welcome with the Proclamation from
the City ofFort Wayne
Sayaka Ganz, leading the public in a traditional Bon-Odori dance
Featured Artists and Events throughout the Festival
MIDWEST TAIKO DRUMMER CONFERENCE, featuring
- Fort Wayne Taiko, from the Fort Wayne Dance Collective
- Kaiju Daiko, from Chicago
- St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, from St. Louis
- Great Lakes Taiko, from Detroit
Minyo Japanese Folk Dancers, fromIndianapolis
Yoko Reikano Kimura Japanese Koto & Shamisen
Hiromi Ito, Violin*
Hikaru Tamaki, Cello*
Akira Murotani, Trumpet*
Bob Nance, Piano*
Daniel Quinn, Guitar
Dorothy Kittaka, Soprano and Japanese Storyteller, Kamishibai Storycard Theater
Janice Furtner, Soprano
Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, Treble and Lyric, conducted by Phyllis Boester
Mrs. Shie Otani, Japanese Tea Ceremony
Martial Arts: Demo by Zentai Martial Arts!!!
Mike Schmid and Janice Furtner, Origami demonstration and hands-on origami for all
* Sat. evening only
Arts and Crafts of Japan Marketplace:
- J. Toguri Mercantile from Chicago– Various Japanese items
- Hiroshi Kaneko – Handmade Japanese Kites and tops
- Hisako Kometani – Japanese Origami and Silk Thread mobiles
- Chikuen Kato –Japanese personalized calligraphy on special bookmarks
- Cherry Blossom Festival T-shirts-especially designed for the festival
- Cherry Blossom Festival notecards – especially designed for the festival
CONTESTS
Anime! Draw a famous anime character or your own original character for prizes.
Can You Haiku? Students will submit work prior to festival and public may compose haiku at the festival for prizes.
CosPlay Competition! Students may wear costumes depicting their favorite anime character for prizes.
TASTE OF JAPAN
Toyko Seoul Restaurant, purchase authentic Japanese cuisine.
Woo’s Oriental Grocery & Mart , buy Japanese candies, drinks, ice cream, crackers etc.
Additional TBD
HANDS-ON JAPANESE ACTIVITIES
Bonsai Display and Demonstration by theFort Wayne Bonsai Club
Origami Demonstration and Hands-on session, Mike Schmid, Art educator/artist and Janice Furtner, artist/musician
Japanese Kites and Toys handmade by Hiroshi Kaneko from Chicago
Japanese Children’s Games and Crafts by theIPFWJapaneseSaturdaySchool
Information: Please look at: JapanInFortWayne.com
For more information contact: Michele Yamanaka yamanakam@cs.com 260-424-5070
