Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Sakura Matsuri 2009

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Sakura Matsuri 2009

May 2–May 3, 2009 | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Rain or Shine*

Sakura Matsuri, New York City's "rite of spring," marks its 28th year with over 50 events and performances celebrating Japanese culture and the blossoming of BBG's 220 cherry trees. Visitors to the weekend-long Cherry Blossom Festival can enjoy a range of performances from traditional Japanese music and dance to concerts by some of Japan's hottest J-pop stars, plus taiko drumming, an anime voice actor panel, bonsai pruning workshops, J-pop DJs, a traditional kimono show, and demonstrations and workshops for all ages. Bring your camera and join anime comedian Uncle Yo and the World Cosplay Summit Team USA in a giant Sakura Matsuri cosplay photo shoot!

*In case of rain, events will be moved to sheltered locations.

Left: Traditional Kimono Show; right: Sachiyo Ito & Company
Left: World Cosplay Summit Team USA (photo: Anna Fischer); center: The Original
Sushi Pillow; right: Cosplay Photo Shoots with Anna Fischer
Left: Soh Daiko; right: Ai Kawashima
Left: Misako Rocks!; right: Dean Street FOO Dance (photo: Victor Harris)
Left: Minami Kizuki; right: Samurai Sword Soul
Left: DJ Hayden Honey; center: Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York;
right: DJ Eric B.
Left: Poet Enta Kusakabe; right: Taiko Masala
Left: Illustration by Hirofumi Sugimoto from KASUMI, vol. 1 © 2008 Monkey Square, LLC. Courtesy of Del Rey Manga; right: Kagero (photo: Zac Clark)
Left: Anime Comedian Uncle Yo; center: Origami Paper Folding for Families (photo: Barbara Alper); right: Master of Ceremonies, Yoshi Amao (photo: Barbara Alper)
Left: Megumi Sato, Host of Samurai Beat Radio; center: Traditional Tea Ceremony, Urasenke Chanoyu Center; right: James Nyoraku Schlefer and Kyo-Shin-An Dojo

Printer-friendly Schedule of Events

Performances
Workshops
J-Pop Culture
Demonstrations
Exhibits
Garden Advice & Guided Tours
Food, Etc.

11:00–11:45	Children's Suzuki Recital Brooklyn College Preparatory Center Location: Auditorium
Noon–1:00	Taiko Drumming Soh Daiko Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
1:15–2:00	Nihon Buyo Classical & Ryukyu Buyo Okinawan Dance Sachiyo Ito & Company with the Sonny Ochiai Quartet Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
2:15–3:00	Japanese Gypsy Rock Kagero Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
2:30–3:15	Hanagasa Odori (Flower Hat Dance) Procession Japanese Folk Dance Institute of N.Y. Location: Lily Pool Terrace
3:15–4:00	Bushido: The Soul of Samurai Samurai Sword Soul Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
3:30–4:15	Butoh Dance Dean Street FOO Dance Location: Meadow
3:30–5:00	Shakuhachi Flute Concert James Nyoraku Schlefer and Kyo-Shin-An Dojo Location: Alfred T. White Memorial
4:15–5:00	Minami Kizuki J-pop sensation from Japan's Amami Islands Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
5:15–6:00	Ai Kawashima Tokyo's hottest J-pop star Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage

1:00–5:00	Origami Paper Folding for Families Jeremy Aaron Horland Location: Lily Pool Terrace
1:00–5:00	The Game of Go Brooklyn Go Club Location: North Cherry Esplanade
2:00–5:00	Paper, Poetry & Plants for Families Discovery Workshop Location: Children's Garden

10:00–1:00	Sakura J-Lounge: DJ 2Thirteen The J-Show's own spins anime-themed J-pop & J-rock. Location: Osborne Garden
10:00–1:00	Pose for Cosplay Photographer Anna Fischer Show off your cosplay costumes with the renowned portraitist. Location: Osborne Garden
10:00–5:00	AnimeNEXT Manga Library Browse nature-themed manga for all ages. Location: Members' Room
10:00–6:00	Manga & Anime Artist Alley Chat with celebrated manga and anime creators, get autographs and signed books. Del Rey Manga Abby Denson Misako Rocks! N.Y. Anime Festival Kensuke Okabayashe Uncle Yo Presented with the N.Y. Anime Festival Location: Osborne Garden
Noon–5:00	Sushi Pillow Photo Op The Original Sushi Pillow Location: Magnolia Plaza
1:00–2:00	Uncle Yo & Cosplay Photo Shoot Giggle along with anime comedian Uncle Yo and bring your camera as World Cosplay Summit Team USA hosts a Sakura Matsuri photo shoot! Presented with the N.Y. Anime Festival Location: Osborne Garden
2:00–4:00	Samurai Beat Radio Live Broadcast Megumi Sato and Tokyo FM host a live broadcast from Sakura Matsuri to radio stations all over Japan. Location: Osborne Garden
2:30–3:30	Funny Voices: Anime Voice Actor Roundtable NYC's hottest anime voice talents dish with film director Tom Wayland. Rachael Lillis Jamie McGonnigal Veronica Taylor Presented with the N.Y. Anime Festival Location: Auditorium
4:00–4:45	Misako Rocks! A Crazy Comic Life The award-winning manga creator of Biker Girl and Detective Jermaine gives the scoop on her childhood in Japan and inspirations. Location: Auditorium
4:00–6:00	Sakura J-Lounge: DJ Hayden Honey An amped-up set of pure Shibuya-kei lounge pop. Location: Osborne Garden
4:00–6:00	The J-Lounge Dancers Dancers Kaori "K Bunny" Nakata and Rie Sato get the J-Lounge swinging. Location: Osborne Garden
5:00–5:45	Manga for Dummies with Kensuke Okabayashe Get drawing tips from the renowned manga author-illustrator. Location: Auditorium

10:00–5:00	Origami Crane Confections Chef Max Kitano, Sugarworks Location: Magnolia Plaza
Noon–5:00	Washi Ningyo Doll Making Yuko Doren Location: Magnolia Plaza
12:30–2:00	Ikebana Flower Arranging (Sogetsu School) Fumiko Allinder Location: Auditorium
1:00–2:00	Traditional Tea Ceremony Urasenke Chanoyu Center Location: Alfred T. White Memorial
2:00–3:00	Mataro Ningyo Doll Making Kinuko Narada Location: Members' Room Annex
3:00–4:00	Moku Hanga Woodblock Printing April Vollmer Location: Steinhardt Conservatory

10:00–5:00	Ikebana Flower Arrangements (Sogetsu School) Students of Fumiko Allinder Location: Rotunda
10:00–5:00	Bonsai Display: Living Sculpture Friends of Bonsai Location: Steinhardt Conservatory Gallery
10:00–5:00	BBG Bonsai Permanent Collection C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum Location: Steinhardt Conservatory
Noon–5:00	Washi Ningyo Dolls Yuko Doren Location: Magnolia Plaza
1:00–5:00	Mataro Ningyo Dolls Kinuko Narada Location: Members' Room Annex

10:00–Noon	Tour: Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden BBG Garden Guides Location: Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden
10:00–5:00	Bonsai Advice for Home Gardeners Friends of Bonsai Location: Steinhardt Conservatory
Noon–5:00	Home Gardening Experts on Flowering Cherries Gardener's Resource Center Staff Location: Gardener's Resource Center
1:00–2:00	Tour: Seasonal Highlights BBG Garden Guides Location: Visitor Center
2:00–4:00	Tour: C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum BBG Garden Guides Location: Steinhardt Conservatory

10:00–5:30	Sakura Gift Express Location: Cherry Esplanade
10:00–5:30	Japanese Gifts & Bonsai Location: Lily Pool Terrace
11:00–5:30	Japanese Food & Beverages Location: Cherry Esplanade

Performances
Workshops
J-Pop Culture
Demonstrations
Exhibits
Garden Advice & Guided Tours
Food, Etc.

Noon–12:45	Taiko Drumming Taiko Masala Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
12:45–1:00	Children's Taiko Drumming Recital Genki Daiko Team Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
1:15–2:00	Nihon Buyo Classical & Ryukyu Buyo Okinawan Dance Sachiyo Ito & Company with the Sonny Ochiai Quartet Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
1:30–2:30	Enta Kusakabe & the Art of Gogyohka (Five-Line Poetry) Gogyohka Society, U.S. Chapter Location: Alfred T. White Memorial
2:15–3:00	Koto & Shamisen Concert Masayo Ishigure & the Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
2:30–3:30	Meet Poet Enta Kusakabe Q&A session and book signing Location: Alfred T. White Memorial
3:15–4:00	Minbu Folk Dance Japanese Folk Dance Institute of N.Y. Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
3:30–4:15	Butoh Dance Dean Street FOO Dance Location: Meadow
3:30–5:00	Shakuhachi Flute Concert James Nyoraku Schlefer and Kyo-Shin-An Dojo Location: Alfred T. White Memorial
4:00–6:00	Documentary Film Screening (NYC Premier) Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story Bruce Alan Johnson and Christine Toy Johnson(2008), 96 min. (Followed by Q&A with filmmakers) Location: Auditorium
4:15–5:00	Bushido: The Soul of Samurai Samurai Sword Soul Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage
5:15–6:00	Traditional Kimono Show & Oiran Douchu (Edo Period Courtesan Procession) Kimono Society Location: Cherry Esplanade Stage

1:00–5:00	Origami Paper Folding for Families Jeremy Aaron Horland Location: Lily Pool Terrace
1:00–5:00	The Game of Go Brooklyn Go Club Location: North Cherry Esplanade
2:00–5:00	Paper, Poetry & Plants for Families Discovery Workshop Location: Children's Garden
2:30–3:15	Taiko Drumming for Families Hiro Kurashima & Taiko Masala Location: Auditorium

10:00–2:00	Sakura J-Lounge: DJ Saiko Mikan Tune in for '60s "Group Sounds." Location: Osborne Garden
10:00–5:00	AnimeNEXT Manga Library Browse nature-themed manga for all ages. Location: Members' Room
10:00–6:00	Manga & Anime Artist Alley Chat with celebrated manga and anime creators, get autographs and signed books. Del Rey Manga Abby Denson Misako Rocks! N.Y. Anime Festival Kensuke Okabayashe Uncle Yo Kate. T. Williamson Presented with the N.Y. Anime Festival Location: Osborne Garden
Noon–5:00	Sushi Pillow Photo Op The Original Sushi Pillow Location: Magnolia Plaza
1:00–3:00	The J-Lounge Dancers Dancers Kaori "K Bunny" Nakata and Rie Sato get the J-Lounge swinging. Location: Osborne Garden
2:00–6:00	Sakura J-Lounge: DJ Eric B. Groove to '60s Japanese rock. Location: Osborne Garden

10:00–5:00	Origami Crane Confections Chef Max Kitano, Sugarworks Location: Magnolia Plaza
Noon–1:00	Bonsai Pruning Techniques Julian Velasco, BBG Bonsai Curator Location: Steinhardt Conservatory
Noon–1:30	Ikebana Flower Arranging (Sogetsu School) Fumiko Allinder Location: Auditorium
Noon–5:00	Washi Ningyo Doll Making Yuko Doren Location: Magnolia Plaza
1:30–2:30	Bonsai Pruning Techniques Julian Velasco, BBG Bonsai Curator Location: Steinhardt Conservatory
2:00–3:00	Mataro Ningyo Doll Making Kinuko Narada Location: Members' Room Annex
3:30–4:30	Moku Hanga Woodblock Printing April Vollmer Location: Steinhardt Conservatory

10:00–5:00	Ikebana Flower Arrangements (Sogetsu School) Students of Fumiko Allinder Location: Rotunda
10:00–5:00	Bonsai Display: Living Sculpture Friends of Bonsai Location: Steinhardt Conservatory Gallery
10:00–5:00	BBG Bonsai Permanent Collection C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum Location: Steinhardt Conservatory
Noon–5:00	Washi Ningyo Dolls Yuko Doren Location: Magnolia Plaza
1:00–5:00	Mataro Ningyo Dolls Kinuko Narada Location: Members' Room Annex

10:00–Noon	Tour: Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden BBG Garden Guides Location: Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden
10:00–5:00	Bonsai Advice for Home Gardeners Friends of Bonsai Location: Steinhardt Conservatory
Noon–5:00	Home Gardening Experts on Flowering Cherries Gardener's Resource Center Staff Location: Gardener's Resource Center
Noon–1:00	Bonsai Pruning Techniques Julian Velasco, BBG Bonsai Curator Location: Steinhardt Conservatory
1:00–2:00	Tour: Seasonal Highlights BBG Garden Guides Location: Visitor Center
1:30–2:30	Bonsai Pruning Techniques Julian Velasco, BBG Bonsai Curator Location: Steinhardt Conservatory
2:00–4:00	Tour: C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum BBG Garden Guides Location: Steinhardt Conservatory

10:00–5:30	Sakura Gift Express Location: Cherry Esplanade
10:00–5:30	Japanese Gifts & Bonsai Location: Lily Pool Terrace
11:00–5:30	Japanese Food & Beverages Location: Cherry Esplanade

Admission Fees & Guidelines

Admission fees will be charged all weekend during Sakura Matsuri, including Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Events are free with Garden admission and will be held rain or shine. Please read these important tips and guidelines for festivalgoers.

Tickets are also available through TicketWeb.com for Sakura Matsuri. TicketWeb ticket holders will have expedited entry into the Garden.

Visitor	Price
Adults	$12
Seniors (65 and over)	$6
Students 12+ with valid ID	$6
Children under 12	Free
BBG Members	Free

Visitor Photos

If you'd like to contribute your own photos, join BBG's Flickr group Cherry Blossom Viewing at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

May 2–May 3, 2009 | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Rain or Shine*

*In case of rain, events will be moved to sheltered locations.

Schedule of Events

Children's Suzuki Recital

Taiko Drumming

Nihon Buyo Classical & Ryukyu Buyo Okinawan Dance

Japanese Gypsy Rock

Hanagasa Odori (Flower Hat Dance) Procession

Bushido: The Soul of Samurai

Butoh Dance

Shakuhachi Flute Concert

Origami Paper Folding for Families

The Game of Go

Paper, Poetry & Plants for Families

Pose for Cosplay Photographer Anna Fischer

Manga & Anime Artist Alley

Sushi Pillow Photo Op

Uncle Yo & Cosplay Photo Shoot

Samurai Beat Radio Live Broadcast

Funny Voices: Anime Voice Actor Roundtable

Misako Rocks! A Crazy Comic Life

Sakura J-Lounge: DJ Hayden Honey

Manga for Dummies with Kensuke Okabayashe

Origami Crane Confections

Washi Ningyo Doll Making

Ikebana Flower Arranging (Sogetsu School)

Traditional Tea Ceremony

Mataro Ningyo Doll Making

Moku Hanga Woodblock Printing

Ikebana Flower Arrangements (Sogetsu School)

Bonsai Display: Living Sculpture

BBG Bonsai Permanent Collection

Washi Ningyo Dolls

Mataro Ningyo Dolls

Tour: Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden

Bonsai Advice for Home Gardeners

Home Gardening Experts on Flowering Cherries

Tour: Seasonal Highlights

Tour: C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum

Sakura Gift Express

Japanese Gifts & Bonsai

Japanese Food & Beverages

Taiko Drumming

Children's Taiko Drumming Recital

Nihon Buyo Classical & Ryukyu Buyo Okinawan Dance

Enta Kusakabe & the Art of Gogyohka (Five-Line Poetry)

Koto & Shamisen Concert

Meet Poet Enta Kusakabe

Minbu Folk Dance

Butoh Dance

Shakuhachi Flute Concert

Documentary Film Screening (NYC Premier) Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story

Bushido: The Soul of Samurai

Traditional Kimono Show & Oiran Douchu (Edo Period Courtesan Procession)

Origami Paper Folding for Families

The Game of Go

Paper, Poetry & Plants for Families

Taiko Drumming for Families

Sakura J-Lounge: DJ Saiko Mikan

Manga & Anime Artist Alley

Sushi Pillow Photo Op

The J-Lounge Dancers

Sakura J-Lounge: DJ Eric B.

Origami Crane Confections

Bonsai Pruning Techniques

Ikebana Flower Arranging (Sogetsu School)

Washi Ningyo Doll Making

Bonsai Pruning Techniques

Mataro Ningyo Doll Making

Moku Hanga Woodblock Printing

Ikebana Flower Arrangements (Sogetsu School)

Bonsai Display: Living Sculpture

BBG Bonsai Permanent Collection

Washi Ningyo Dolls

Mataro Ningyo Dolls

Tour: Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden

Bonsai Advice for Home Gardeners

Home Gardening Experts on Flowering Cherries

Bonsai Pruning Techniques

Tour: Seasonal Highlights