Cherry Blossom Festival April 24
Welcome spring to Long Island the Japanese way with the exciting sounds of Taiko
drums, the elegance of Japanese dance and music, and a wondrous array of Japanese
cultural exhibits, demonstrations, and events for the entire family on Saturday, April 24,
from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Ryu Shu Kan’s 10th annual Sakura Matsuri, or Cherry Blossom Festival, is presented by
the Japan Center at Stony Brook in collaboration with the Charles B. Wang Center’s
Asian and Asian-American programs. Beginning with Stony Brook’s Taiko Tides Drums,
the day is filled with activities for everyone: exhibitions of bonsai, sumi-e (ink paintings),
ikebana (flower arrangements), kimono, raku-yaki (pottery), manga, origami, haiku, facepainting, reiki, martial arts, and more will be displayed throughout the day.
Along with the popular children’s activities of Origami, Face-painting and Kimono
wearing, this year we present JAPANESE FOLK TALES & LEGENDS through music &
dance.
Long Island’s own Ryu Shu Taiko will present their inter-active performance of ―The
Drums of Noto Hanto‖- a true story of a village scaring away invading Samurai by
playing the Taiko drums & dancing as demons – children will be invited to be part of the
show as demon dancers or invading samurai.
The C. Eule Dance Co. will present ―The Crane Wife‖ - based on a Japanese folk tale Intertwining traditional Japanese and contemporary Western dance and music, this dance
novella re-imagines an ancient Japanese fable of a magic crane and the lonely sail-maker
who saves her life. Ichifujikai Traditional Dance Co. will present the story of ―Urashima
Taro‖ – about a young boy who saves a turtle from being beaten by other boys and is
rewarded by travelling under the sea to the Dragon Palace which is filled with treasures.
An exciting blend of traditional folk dance, modern choreography and rock music will be
performed by the 10tecomai Dance Co., who will also conduct a dance workshop for
children & adults to experience the excitement of the dance for themselves.
JAPANESE CLASSICAL TO CONTEMPORARY MUSIC & DANCE
Junko Nagahama-Fisher and Miyagi-Ryu Nosho-Kai Dance group will once again grace
the stage with their elegant Okinawan dance and this year Junko-San will premiere her
singing and Sanshin playing.
Andy Suzuki will play Japanese songs like Angela Aki’s ―Tegami‖ (as seen on
YouTube).
He does many Japanese pop-songs like this one, and old favorites like the Sukiyaki song,
with a modern flair.
Coming from Japan to celebrate our 10th anniversary, the Imai family, who were
instrumental in the very first Festival, will perform on the Koto & Shamisen accompanied
by Cynthia Nyoen Chaffee on Shakuhachi.
Mr. & Mrs. Imai will also perform Noh Utai – the ancient chanting/singing of the Noh
Theater.
Additional performances of Shakuhachi (bamboo flute) by Dan Soergel, Cynthia and
others will include both the mysterious sounds of Zen Shakuhachi and Jazz style
improvisations.
Admission to martial arts demos and exhibits is free. There will be two separate theater
performances. Folk Tales and Legends will be performed at 1:30 pm and Japanese
Classical to Contemporary Music and Dance will be performed at 4:00 pm. Admission to
each show: adults, $10; seniors and students, $8; children 5 to 12, $6 (children four and
under are free). If you purchase tickets for both performances, the second show is 50
percent off.
For more information, please call Ryu Shu Kan Director Gerard Senese at (631) 6982467 or visit www.ryushukan.com.