Arts & Entertainment

Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Cherry Blossom Festival 2013 Begins

BBG's celebration of all things Japanese runs April 27-28.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s 2013 Sakura Matsuri, aka its Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival, takes place this weekend with the blossoms at peak bloom.

Over the next two days there will be everything from traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, to a martial arts drama to presentations on the art of manga. See the full schedule here.

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Photos: Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Cherry Blossoms
Video: Japanese Folk Dancers

Video: Introducing the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Parasol Society

This year’s line-up includes some performers direct from Japan, including Zakuro Chindon, an all-female marching band, and the anime rock groum The Asterplace. Others come from the five boroughs including the drumming group Taiko Masala, and jazz pianist Kuni Mikami, who interprets Japanese folk songs.

Saturday’s final main-stage performance features Cobu, which blends taiko drumming with tap dance for a Stomp-style Japanese ruckus.

Closing the festival for the fourth year in a row is Cosplay Fashion Show, presenting in partnership with New York Comic Con  presenting more than 20 of the city’s most extravagant cosplayers.

There will also be a section devoted to contemporary Japanese culture including lawn activities led by the victorian/baby-doll clad Brooklyn Botanic Garden Parasol Society, Manga and ukiyo-e drawing workshops, stand-up comedy by geek comedian Uncle Yo, the J-Lounge manga journal, where festival visitors can sketch their favorite Sakura Matsuri sightings and a magic show with a Japanese twist. Kids can attend a children’s Suzuki recital or taiko performance and learn how to make origami, do taiko drumming or  draw manga.

The full event schedule is available at bbg.org/sakuramatsuri. The cherry display is tracked in real time on BBG’s web-based CherryWatch feature, which maps the entire collection and provides daily blooming updates. The Garden encourages visitors to share their cherry blossom images—amateur or professional—on social media the hashtag #bbgcherries.

Admission to Sakura Matsuri is $20 for adults, $10 for students (12 to 17) and seniors (65 and over). BBG members and children under 12 years of age enter for free. Admission fees will be charged all weekend during Sakura Matsuri. Events are free with Garden admission and will be held rain or shine.

Advance tickets can be purchased online. Brooklyn Botanic Garden members and ticket holders skip the lines.


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