Sunday, May 1, 2011

Fantastic Saturday at Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration of Hope For Japanese Earthquake Relief Efforts - Here Are Some Scenes


You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival

Yesterday's First Annual Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Cherry Blossom Festival was a wonderful event.  In addition to showcasing the beautiful Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms that were still blooming




the purpose of the Cherry Blossom Festival as described by RIRA's statement announcing the event was:
... On this occasion we have joined with our Japanese neighbors and their organization, the Japanese Association of Roosevelt Island, to support their fundraising efforts. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Japan Society designated charities, supporting the Japanese relief effort to help those suffering from the March 11 earthquake/tsunami/nuclear energy plant disruption. Only cash, no checks or credit cards, can be accepted at this time.

RIRA has arranged to present, on behalf of the New York City Council, two Proclamations of support to Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki, Consul General of Japan in New York and Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States of America. These proclamations are generously provided by our City Councilwoman, Jessica Lappin. Additionally, a grove of cherry trees, just across and north of the subway station, will be dedicated by RIRA and RIOC, with a plaque offering our solidarity with the Japanese people. RIOC has generously supported this effort....
Below are some scenes from yesterday's Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival.

RIRA’s Social, Cultural & Educational Committee Chairperson, Lynne Shinozaki greeted the crowd at the Subway Pier and explained the purpose of the event.


Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Leslie Torres and Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez presented the Celebration Of Hope dedication plaque


for a row of Cherry Trees that will be planted on Roosevelt Island to demonstrate solidarity with the Japanese people and displayed plans for the new Cherry Tree Row.


Roosevelt Island's Assembly Member Micah Kellner expressed his best wishes


and Japan's Deputy Consul General Yasuhisa Kawamura accepted a Proclamation of Support from New York City


provided by Roosevelt Island's City Council Member Jessica Lappin. Deputy Consul General Kawamura also greeted RIOC President Torres and RIRA President Matt Katz

as well as Mr. Kellner, Ms. Shinozake and a member of Roosevelt Island's Japanese community whom I don't know.


Later in the day  Deputy Consul General Kawamura spoke about current Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear recovery efforts in Japan.


A teacher from PS/IS 217 noted that the students from the school raised over $2,000 for the Japanese recovery efforts.


There were also great performances of Japanese music




and fun for kids of all ages






including our four legged friend who found a relaxing way to spend the day under the Cherry Trees.


Additional information on the Japan Society's Earthquake relief fund available at their web site.

Here are some more scenes from the First Annual Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival.

17 comments :

jr said...

o.k. now when do we help the people down south.

jr said...

what a joke, matt katz thinks hes somebody ,when is he going to GET IT IN HIS HEAD that the rira means nothing on this island. they are just alot of people with boring lives , alot of time on their hands, , they all need to get a life,rioc doses what it wants to do , they do not care what the rira has to say , so to all of you in the rira GET A LIFE,the people who live in river cross run this island , not rioc.

oldtimer said...

i was over in japan during wwll.so i sure as hell was not going to this,

Anonymous said...

craggy old folks .. get a life or please leave

Judith Berdy said...

Yesterday and today were wonderful examples of what Roosevelt Island is.

At the RIHS visitor we welcomed hundreds of guests this weekend. They were here on Saturday for the special events and manhy on Sunday for our Cherry Blossom Tour.


On both days everyone came away with positve remarks and comments on our community.

We are proud of the activities this weekend by Lynne Shinozaki and her committee to arrange such a wonderful event in less than one month.

Thanks to RIOC for coordinating the multitude of activities.

Everyone did their part and we are lucky to live in this community.


Judith Berdy

Anonymous said...

I tried to get a glimpse of the celebration but it seems by 2:45pm everything was in tear down mode already. I was a bit disappointed that not everything made it through 3pm.

Anonymous said...

It was a very nice event. Posters at 1:24 & 4:58 are the ones who need to get a life.

Who cares who sponsored the event. It was very well run and all who had something to do with it should be commended.

Things like this are what make this island a special place.

jr said...

i feel it was very boring.i hope this is the last we see of this .

Gregor said...

Maybe next time RIOC/RIRA could consider having a cultural event in Blackwell Park itself instead of at the overlook/pier or even at the Meditation Steps. They could then let the audience bring mats/beach chairs - just like spectators do at Central Park concerts - it's very congenial under the trees on that lawn. The event could spill across Main St to encompass the fountain area - also a nice spot - even on into the park by the basketball court. I think with the performance at the overlook/pier, it wasn't really clear what was the "front" of the performance space. Also it's impossible to position a sound system properly (that is, so music is directed to the audience with a speaker also directed to players) in this kind of situation - especially with the noise of the FDR. For future cultural events, Blackwell Park should be considered.

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