Your 44th Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco Japantown is on, once again, for 2011.
Here was the setup for Day 3 this AM complete with Honda generators and mad sake. You know, this pretty much looks just like every annual village festival in Japan:
But sadly, once again, my Hello Kitty SmartCar wan’t allowed to roll with all the Japanese iron. Oh well:
Here’s your overview, your sked, and your FAQ.
And the Big Parade comes tomorrow, Sunday, April 17th, 2011
And St. Mary’s Medical Center will conduct free medical screenings at the east end on Post near Laguna, same as usual:
It’s on!
All the deets, after the jump
Schedule of Events
Cherry Blossom Festival Golf Tournament
Participate in annual golf tourney with 144 players including dinner and a raffle.
April 9-10 & 16-17 Cherry Blossom Street Fair
Three-block-long party in Japantown features a Japanese arts and crafts fair, a children’s village, information booths and a food court serving traditional Japanese cuisine along with other Asian and non-Asian dishes. Two entertainment stages feature traditional Japanese cultural performances and contemporary Asian acts throughout the day.
April 9 Karaoke Kayo Parade Show
Singers from throughout California perform traditional Enka music and contemporary Japanese selections at this popular event, which is held at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas.
April 9 Cherry Blossom Queen Program
At this gala event, which is held at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in Japantown, a young queen is chosen to represent the Northern California Japanese-American community for the coming year at various events in the United States and Japan.
April 15 Friendship Reception Meet and greet the groups from Japan that come to participate perform at this event that is by invitation only.
April 16 U.S. – Japan Taiko Festival San Francisco’s very own Taiko Dojo joins esteemed taiko drumming groups from Japan for an evening of traditional and contemporary taiko rhythms.
April 16 JDM Import Car Exhibit More than 200 Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), the customizing of Japanese-made cars using components intended for sale only in Japan has become increasingly popular with West Coast car enthusiasts.
April 17 Cherry Blossom Grand Parade Dozens of floats and more than 1,500 costumed participants, including marching bands, traditional Japanese musicians, kimono-wearing dancers and a “mikoshi,” a portable shrine carried on the shoulders of a onehundred-person contingent, will wind their way from San Francisco’s City Hall to Japantown
This year’s Schedule of Events will have different venues, as in past years. The event locations will be at various locations in the Japantown region, all within a block or two of the center’s plaza. Please check the desired event for proper locations.
PEACE PLAZA STAGE SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, APRIL 9
12:15-1:15 pm San Francisco Taiko Dojo
1:15-1:30 Opening Ceremony
1:30-2:00 Michiya Hanayagi Kai and Michisuya Hanayagi Kai
2:00-2:30 Nihon Buyo Kiyonomoto Ryu
2:30-3:00 World Oyama Karate
3:00-3:30 San Francisco Shotokan Karate Club
3:30-4:00 Essence
4:00-4:30 Sakura Minyo Dou Kou Kai
4:30-4:45 Children’s Tsuzumi Challenge
4:45-5:00 UC Berkeley Yosakoi Group
5:00-5:25 Kawachi Ondo YamaSho
5:25-6:00 Kojiro and 3 Secret Agent Men
SUNDAY, APRIL 10
12:00-12:30 pm CBF 2011 Queen and Court
12:30-1:30 San Francisco Taiko Dojo
1:30-2:00 Soko Joshi Dojo
2:00-2:30 San Francisco Wushu Team
2:30-3:00 Oshiro Karate Dojo
3:00-3:30 Shorinji Kempo
3:30-4:00 Ensohza Minyoshu
4:00-4:30 Gindo Gakuen Group
4:30-4:45 UC Berkeley Yosakoi Group
4:45-5:00 Sunset School of Dance
5:00-5:30 San Francisco Nipponto Society
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
11:15-11:45 p.m. San Francisco Taiko Dojo
11:45-12:15 Grass Valley Taiko
12:15-12:45 Zanshin Dojo
12:45-1:15 Ayumi Perry – Songs of Japan
1:15-1:45 Rosa Parks Japanese Bilingual/Bicultural Program
1:45-2:00 El Cerrito High School
2:00-2:15 San Francisco Okinawa Kenjin-kai
2:15-2:30 Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep Japanese Club
2:30-3:00 Children’s Tsuzumi Challenge
3:00-3:30 Rinka Buyo Group
3:30-4:00 Wado Kai Karate Dojo
4:00-4:30 Northern California Naginata Federation
4:30-5:00 Tojokan Shinkendo Dojo
5:00-7:00 p.m. Raise the Flag Concert
SUNDAY, APRIL 17
11:00-12:00 pm The San Francisco Kendo Dojo
12:00-12:30 Enshin Karate
12:30-1:00 Nishi Kaigan Iaido Dojo
3:30-4:00 Anime Contest Awards
4:00-4:45 Anime Talent Show
4:45 CBF 2011 Raffle Drawing
JCCCNC GYM SCHEDULE
Located at 1840 Sutter Street
SATURDAY, APRIL 9
11:00-1:00 pm Japanese Music Institute of America
1:00-3:00 Minyo Minbu Festival
3:00-3:30 Hanayagi Mitamaji Classical Dance
3:30-4:30 Marimo Kai –Yukari Sakaguchi
6:00 pm Shigin
SUNDAY, APRIL 10
12:00-1:00 pm Seiha Sato Masazuka Kai
1:00-1:30 Kiyonomoto Ryu
1:30-2:30 Shimaoka Kazusa Kai
2:30-3:00 Nishikawa Ryu
3:00-4:00 Tamie Kooyenga and Koto Harmonia
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
12:00-1:00 pm Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto Koto Studio
1:00-1:30 GenRyu Arts Presents – Gen Ensemble
1:30-2:30 Gakei Jitodai Koto Group
2:30-3:00 Studio Mai – Nihon Buyo
3:00-4:00 Brian Mitsuhiro Wong Koto Studio
JCCCNC (Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California)
Located at 1840 Sutter Street
ISSEI MEMORIAL HALL
APRIL 9-10
Ikebana Exhibit – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
APRIL 16-17
Bonsai/Suiseki Exhibit – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
EXHIBIT HALL
APRIL 9-10
Japanese Woodblock Printing Workshop
Presented by Consulate General of Japan – 12 noon to 4 p.m.
CLASSROOM ONE
APRIL 9-10
Washi Ningyo (Paper Doll) – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
APRIL 16-17
Origami Exhibit & Demonstration – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CLASSROOM TWO
APRIL 9 and 10
Shishu (Japanese Embroidery) – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
APRIL 16-17
Washi Ningyo (Paper Doll) – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MIYAKO MALL
Union Bank Hospitality Room
APRIL 9-10
Japanese Sword Club – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
APRIL 16-17
Mataro Doll Exhibit – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
TAKEUCHI AUDITORIUM @ NIHONMACHI LITTLE FRIENDS
Located at 1830 Sutter Street
APRIL 9
Tea Ceremony: Omotosenke
1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
APRIL 10
Tea Ceremony: Urasenke
1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
APRIL 16
Tea Ceremony: Urasenke Foundation
1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
KINTETSU MALL: DENTOH – 363
APRIL 16
Karuta – 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE
Located at 1765 Sutter Street
APRIL 9-10
Origami Exhibit & Demonstrations – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SEQUOIA’S
Located at 1400 Geary Street
APRIL 16
Suzuki Music Studio of San Francisco – 4 p.m.
NATIONAL JAPANESE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Located at 1684 Post Street
APRIL 9, 10, 16, and 17
Exhibit: Nuchi du Takara
Lessons from the Battle of Okinawa – 12 noon to 5 p.m.
JDM CAR SHOW
Located on Post Street
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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