Nothing rings in spring like the pink and white blooms of Japanese flowering cherry blossoms. When these soft, feathery flowers bloom, they make their small trees look almost like clouds. Visit the
Brooklyn Botanic Garden for a stroll amidst these beauties—and a traditional Japanese celebration of spring.
Sakura Matsuri, as the celebration is known, comes to Brooklyn on May 1 and 2. Enjoy the tastes and sounds of Japan, participate in tea ceremonies, and learn drumming, doll-making, or origami. See karate, samurai, and Go demonstrations or hear haiku read in the serenity nature. Share contemporary Japanese creations, as well, including a display of manga comic books, anime stand-up comedy, an alternative fashion show, and a sudoku book signing.
During the weekend, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers tips for growing your own cherry and bonsai trees. Join a workshop to learn the art of arranging flowers using Ikebana techniques. Garden experts will lead tours of the formal Japanese Hill-and-Pond gardens and explore the numerous cherry trees areas, including the nearly 100 trees of the Cherry Esplanade, the Cherry Walk, and the Cherry Cultivars Area.
