Scenes From Today's Roosevelt Island Residents Assocation Cherry Blossom Festival - A Celebration Of Japanese Culture

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Cherry Blossom Festival took place earlier today with attendance estimates of over 4500 people visiting the performances at FDR Four Freedoms Park

and the Cherry Blossom Walk For Hope Food Vending area adjacent to Goldwater Hospital.

The day began with opening remarks from Roosevelt Island resident Jim Luce acting as host for the events at the FDR Park. Mr Luce introduced the Japanese Ambassador Shigiyuki Hiroki , Roosevelt Island's Assembly Member Micah Kellner and RIRA's Lynn Shinozaki (who was the prime organizer of this event) followed by the NY Taiko Aiko Kai Japanese drummers



and the Koto & Shamisen ensemble – Masayo Ishigure & Miyabi.



Here's a sample from Rabbit New York of the good time had by those 4500 people in attendance.



Will have more video of the day's highlights coming up.

UPDATE 4/14 -  More from the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Representatives from the FDR Four Freedoms Park spoke,



an explanation of the Japanese Koto tradition followed by former RIRA President Matt Katz extolling the virtues of Roosevelt Island,



a Karate demonstration by Long Island City based RESOBOX,



Jim Luce announcing attendance statistics, Roosevelt Island organizations, introducing



a performance of contemporary Japanese music by Neo Blues Maki



and a walk through the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms and Japanese Street Vendors.



The Stewardship Report has the complete program listing:

Japanese Drums – Taiko Aikokai (11:30am – 12:00pm)

Koto & Shamisen ensemble – Masayo Ishigure & Miyabi (12:20pm – 1:00pm)

Traditional Dance – Ichifuji Kai (1:20pm – 2:00pm)

Iaido & Karate performance – RESOBOX (2:10pm – 3:10pm)

“Enka” Folk Music – Neo Blues Maki (3:20pm – 4:00pm)

Shamisen string ensemble – Kicyo Kai (4:20pm- 5:00pm)

Good times.