For Immediate Release: March 6, 2008
Media Contacts: Emma Filar, Marketing & Communications Associate
Visit the Press Room
2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival: News Release
Family Day and Opening Ceremony Presented by the National Building Museum and the National Cherry Blossom Festival
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Cherry Blossom Festival (NCBF) comes alive to much fanfare on Saturday, March 29, 2008, at the National Building Museum (NBM) with the NCBF Family Day. Presented in collaboration with the Museum, the free interactive Family Day runs from 10:00am to 3:30pm. The Opening Ceremony will be held from 4:00 to 5:30pm. Opening day marks the beginning of the two-week long celebration of the cherry blossoms and the commencement of spring in Washington, DC.
For the third year in a row, Family Day festivities will be presented jointly by the NBM and NCBF in anticipation of thousands of families from around the region and nation that will attend. "We are thrilled to hold Family Day with the National Building Museum again. Family Day is a great representation of the energy the Festival brings to the city, with its depth of activities and emphasis on family fun," said Diana Mayhew, President of NCBF.
This year, families can expect a wide range of hands-on activities like sumo-mask decorating, dance and musical performances, and demonstrations. Joining Family Day activities for the first time is the renowned origami designer Robert Lang, whose repertoire includes some of the world's most complex designs ever created. His acclaimed work is known for the intricate designs and practical modern day applications in nature and science, and he will thrill the crowd with an all-day demonstration showcasing his precision in origami making, while constructing a large-scale giraffe.
Other hands-on activities at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Family Day will include Mon Kiri, the Japanese art of cutting and folding paper; Japanese scrolls; and building Haiku. Demonstrations will include Mukimono, Japanese garnishing and food cutting; Ukiyo-e, woodblock cutting; and Kimono dressing.
"We are pleased to continue our partnership with the NCBF to co-present Family Day and the Opening Ceremony. It is a wonderful community celebration of Japanese arts and design and we anticipate welcoming over 6,000 visitors to share in the festivities at the National Building Museum," said Chase Rynd, executive director of the NBM.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL FOLLOW FAMILY DAY, at the National Building Museum from 4:00 to 5:30pm, with first-come, first-served seating. Festivities will include welcoming remarks by Washington dignitaries, the introduction of NCBF Goodwill Ambassadors, and an appearance by Riyo Mori, Miss Universe, originally of Shizuoka, Japan.
The special opening performance will be a collaboration between Tateshina High School, an all-female jazz band from Japan whose formation was inspired by the Japanese film Swing Girls, and the Howard University Jazz Ensemble. Feature performances will be given by taiko artist Kenny Endo, shinobue player Kaoru Watanabe and koto player Masayo Ishigure.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Family Day and Opening Ceremony is sponsored by Target® and is funded in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Opening Day is also supported by The Washington Examiner and Westwood College. NCBF extends special thanks to Linder & Associates for event production services as well as La Prima Catering.
For more information on Family Day and the Opening Ceremony, visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org, www.www.nbm.org, or call the Festival hotline at (877) 44BLOOM.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual two-week, citywide event celebrating spring. The 2008 Festival is March 29 – April 13, and will feature daily cultural performances, sporting events, arts & crafts, demonstrations and other special events. The National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the 96th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the citizens of the United States and Japan.
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,591 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today's best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives back more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.
The National Building Museum is America’s leading cultural institution dedicated to advancing the quality of the built environment by educating people about its impact on their lives. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, online content, and publications, the Museum has become a vital forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the world we build for ourselves. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Twitter: @BuildingMuseum and Facebook.
