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March 23-29, 2006

City Week : List Cap

In Bloom

Best Bets for the Cherry Blossom Festival

Josh Chamberlain

The Cherry Blossom Fest starts Saturday, which means you've got 17 days and 40 chances to goof off in the name of Japanese culture. Planned events include a sake festival, jazz concert, story hours, tea ceremonies, lectures, crafts and martial arts demonstrations. The festival, run by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, was started nine years ago to help foster an understanding of the cultural, social and educational customs of Japan. Each year, proceeds are used to plant 100 cherry trees in Fairmount Park, adding to the more than 1,600 already donated by the Japanese government as a gesture of friendship. Here's a list of our must-do cherry-poppin' favorites.

Second Annual Philadelphia Sushi Contest

Thu., March 23, 6-8:30 p.m. and Fri., March 31, 6:30-9 p.m., $65, Temple University Center City, 1515 Market St., Room 222, 215-204-6946

Learn at the hands of master Madame Saito, aka Queen of Sushi, who'll teach you how to mold raw veggies and fish into tasty nuggets. Students are then invited to face off in a March 31 mini version of The Iron Chef. Judges will grade your original concoctions and hand out prizes for the most inventive sushi. Playing with raw fish not your thing? Spectators are welcome too.

Tamagawa University Taiko Drumming and Dance Performance

Fri.-Sat., March 31-April 1, 8 p.m., Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., $12.50-$25, 215-790-3680

Students from one of Japan's best performing arts schools will display thunderous high-energy taiko drumming with traditional and modern Japanese dance. Next thing you know, you'll be loving Riverdance.

Documentary Screening of Japanland

Parts 1 and 2, Mon., March 27, 6:30 p.m., free; Parts 3 and 4, Thu., March 30, 6:30 p.m., free, The Bellevue, seventh floor, Broad and Walnut sts., 215-790-3680

Filmmaker Karin Muller has traveled around the world making documentaries. "[Japanland] follows her voyage into Japan as a foreigner and also gives inside access that foreigners wouldn't normally have," says festival coordinator Greta Hale. The movie, which will screen in four one-hour parts over two nights, addresses samurai, geishas, sword making, sumo wrestling, mountain cults and more.

Kimono Dressing Demonstration

Fri., April 7, noon-2 p.m., free, Liberty Place Rotunda, 16th and Chestnut sts., 215-790-3680

Don't get yourself all tied up in knots—let Fumiyo Batta show you the proper way to tie an Obi sash and don traditional Japanese gear. Attendees are invited to try on various examples from her private collection, including kimonos for married women, single women and men.

Sumo Wrestling Challenge

Thu., April 6, 7 and 8:30 p.m., $7-$12, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-387-5125, www.ihousephilly.org

A group of wrestlers from the amateur United States Sumo Federation will discuss the history of sumo and give one-on-one demonstrations of its key techniques. Afterward, the wrestlers are opening the floor to any volunteers brave enough to give it a go.

The Cherry Blossom Festival Runs March 25-April 10. Call 215-790-3680 or visit www.jasgp.org/sakura for more info.