TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The 17th annual Sakura (cherry blossom) Festival, a celebration of Japanese culture and friendship, is scheduled for March 1-31.

The University of Alabama Japan Program organizes the festival, which provides an opportunity to experience Japanese culture through lectures, exhibits, demonstrations, a Haiku contest and other activities.

The theme for this year's festival is "takara" or treasure. This word represents the friendship and respect embodied in the wide variety of Japan-focused activities and events organized this year. The theme recognizes the many volunteers, artists and participants of the festival coming together for the events.

The Sakura Festival is expected to attract people from around the Southeast to the UA campus and the Tuscaloosa community. Most events are free to the public.

In Japan, the Sakura Festival is a celebration of the blossoming of the cherry trees, recognizing spring's renewal of the spirit of life and celebrating its beauty. During "ohanami", the viewing of the cherry blossoms, UA's Denny Chimes area boasts a spectacular view of blossoms on cherry trees made possible through a donation from a businessman in Tuscaloosa's sister city of Narashino, Japan. Cherry blossoms can also be seen at the corner of University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, the University Arboretum and on trees donated by JVC America. The cherry blossoms at Shelton State Community College and in the Narashino Grove, located off Lurleen Wallace Boulevard, were both developed with funds donated by the city of Narashino.

Sponsors of this year's Sakura events include: Alabama Power Co., Coilplus-Alabama Inc., Honda Manufacturing of America LLC, JVC America Inc., McCord Leakless Sealing Co., Alabama Gas Corp., BE & K Inc., Richard R. Newton, attorney at law PC, Thermalex Inc., Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, Continental Airlines, The Japan-America Society of Alabama, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Sister-Cities Commission, IACE TRAVEL, McFarland Mall and NISSIN TRAVEL SERVICE Inc.

A schedule of festival events includes:

March 1 -- Fifth Annual Sakura Art Contest Deadline

The art contest theme is "Takara/Treasure," and it is open to children in grades 1-12. Any medium may be used on poster-sized paper. Judging will take place at "Matsuri/Festival in the Mall" on March 8. Entries of the art contest will be displayed in the Center Court of McFarland Mall on March 8-10. All information is available from Lisa Keyes at 205/469-2183.

March 1 -- Sakura Festival Haiku Contest Deadline

The Haiku Contest is open to Alabama residents of all ages and to friends of Alabama living in Japan and all over the world. With its theme of takara/treasure, the contest permits writers from Japan and Alabama to capture images portraying gems of the heart and mind as well as special objects in the material world. The winning entries in either English or Japanese will be published in the yearly booklet and the winners will receive cash prizes. More information and entry forms are available at 205/348-5312.

March 1-29 -- Sakura Festival at the Tuscaloosa Children's Hands-On Museum (CHOM), Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., closed on Sunday and Monday

Children are the treasure of families and communities throughout the world. Celebrate Sakura Festival with a visit to CHOM’s Japan House, an authentic replica of a Japanese home. Visitors can try on kimonos, present their “passports” and begin a journey to another culture. Japanese arts and crafts complete the trip. Admission is charged. For more information, call CHOM at 205/349-4235.

March 1-30 -- Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri) Exhibit and Tea Ceremony at the Birmingham Museum of Art, Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sunday noon- 5 p.m., closed on Monday, First Thursday 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.

During the month of March, a collection of Taisho period (1912-1926) Japanese dolls for the Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri) will be on exhibit for the first time. The dolls were recently donated to the museum. More information is available at 205/254-2566.

March 2 -- Tea Ceremony in the Japanese Painting Gallery, Birmingham Museum of Art

The tea ceremony will be explained and performed from 2:30-3:30 p.m. by members of the Urasenke Tankoukai Birmingham Association. Visitors will be able to taste delicious Japanese powdered green tea and sweets as well.

March 3 -- Doll Festival Exhibit, Tuscaloosa Japan Culture and Information Center (JCIC)

Children of all ages are invited to celebrate Doll Festival/Girls' Festival/ Peach Festival March 3 at JCIC from 2-4 p.m. Many treasures will be available to see, hear and taste. This day of hoping for growth and future happiness of girls was originally a purification ritual. Different types of beautiful handmade dolls will be on display in the "tatami" room. The entertainment will be koto music by Laurie Arizumi. Participants will also be able to enjoy Japanese refreshments. Call the JCIC at 205/348-5311 for details.

March 3-31 -- Alabama Kozo: The Art and Science of Japanese Papermaking

This exhibit, located in the UA W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, illustrates the unique art and science of Japanese papermaking from the tree to the finished paper. The exhibit features selected examples of Japanese style papers and books from the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library and from private local collections, as well as Japanese papermaking tools, photographs and other items. Admission is free. Contact Jessica Lacher-Feldman at 205/348-0500 or archives@bama.ua.edu for more information.

March 7 -- Japanese Dancing and Taiko (Japanese Drum) music by Nozomi Daiko

All are invited to the UA Ferguson Center Plaza from 12-1 p.m. to enjoy Japanese dancing accompanied by the heart-pounding rhythms of taiko drums. Eat lunch and enjoy this amazing performance as one of Japan’s traditional treasures meets modern day student life.

March 7 -- Sakura Dedication Ceremony at the Jemison-Van De Graaff Mansion

The Jemison Mansion is home to the Tuscaloosa Sister-Cities Commission and the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau. Come enjoy the cherry tree dedication ceremony in honor of Narashino, Tuscaloosa’s sister city in Japan. The ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. and a reception featuring koto music and Japanese dancing follows the ceremony. Admission is free. Contact Lisa Keyes at 205/469-2183 for more information.

March 8 -- Matsuri/Festival in the Mall

The Matsuri, or festival, in the mall provides a treasured opportunity to experience Japanese culture through an exciting variety of exhibits and performances.

• 11-11:05 a.m. -- Opening ceremony with Taiko featuring Kip Tyner, local TV personality, as Master of Ceremonies
• 11:10-11:40 a.m. -- Suzuki Violin Perfomance, UA Community Music School Suzuki Strings
• 11:45 a.m.-12:05 p.m. -- Japanese drumming, Nozomi Daiko
• 12:10-12:30 p.m. -- Japanese dance, Mai no Kai
• 12:35-12:55 p.m. -- Sumo demonstration, Georgia Sumo Association
• 1-1:20 p.m. -- Violin performance, Tuscaloosa City Schools 21st Century Grant Violins
• 1:25-1:45 p.m. -- Okinawa Taiko (Drum) and Dance, Okinawa Taiko/Miyagi Ryu Nozo Kai, Georgia
• 1:50-2:10 p.m. -- Japanese Martial Arts, UA Yoseikan Budo Club
• 2:15-2:35 p.m. -- Story time, UA Japan Club
• 2:40-3 p.m. -- Sword demonstration, International Shinkendo
• 3:05-3:50 p.m. -- Sumo demonstration, Georgia Sumo Association
• 3:55-4:15 p.m. -- Japanese Koto Concert, Laurie Arizumi, Yamada Ryu
• 4:20-4:40 p.m. -- Isshin Ryu Karate, Okinawa Martial Arts
• 4:45-5:05 p.m. -- Japanese dance, Mai no Kai
• 5:10-5:30 p.m. -- Japanese drumming, Nozomi Daiko
• Drawing for free round-trip tickets to Japan and within the continental U.S.
• Closing ceremony, Kip Tyner

Matsuri in the Mall-Booth Activities

• Bonsai Tree Display and Sale -- Rector's Bonsai Southeast Inc.
• Chopsticks and Chopstick Rests -- Japanese Community in West Alabama
• Travel Information -- Continental Airlines
• Display/Demonstration of Flower Arrangement -- Ikebana International Chapter 137
• Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arrangements) -- Tuscaloosa Chapter Ikebana International
• Isshin Ryu Okinawa Martial Arts -- Okinawa Martial Arts
• Japan Information Center -- The Consulate General of Japan-Atlanta
• Japanese Martial Arts -- UA Yoseikan Budo Club
• Japanese toys -- The Japan-America Society of America
• Kimono display -- Michelle Slagle, kimono consultant
• Koi and Water Garden Display and Sales -- Central Alabama Koi and Water Garden Society
• Koto and Shauhachi (Japanese flute) Display -- Laurie Arizumi
• Travel Information -- NISSIN TRAVEL SERVICE Inc.
• Origami Corner -- UA Japan Culture and Information Center
• Sister City Narashino -- Tuscaloosa Sister-Cities Commission
• Story Time -- UA Japan Club
• Sumo Booth -- Georgia Sumo Association
• Traditional Japanese Swordsmanship -- International Shinkendo Federation
• Traditional Japanese Woodwork Display -- Sahara Japanese Architectural Woodwork Inc. and Sales
• Travel Information -- IACE Travel
• Yo-Yo Fishing -- JVC Yo-Yo Family

March 16 -- Tea Ceremony at the Tuscaloosa Public Library

The tea ceremony will be performed and explained in the Rotary Room by members of the Urasenke Tankoukai Birmingham Association from 2:30- 3:30 p.m. Matcha, the powdered green tea used in the tea ceremony, and Japanese tea cookies will be served free to the first 50 guests and Japanese traditional dress kimono will be on display in the lobby during the Sakura Festival. Admission is free. Call Elizabeth Bradt at 205/345-5820 for more information.

March 21 -- Open House viewing of Treasures from Japan Exhibit of 19th Century Japanese Art and Antiques

This event is hosted by Richard and Tina Newton of Meiji Imports and will be held at the residence of Dr. Arthur and Hasseline Thompson from 5-8 p.m. RSVP by March 17 at 205/348-5312.

March 25 -- Talk and Reception -- Leigh Holden

Holden, an MFA candidate in the Book Arts Program at UA, will speak about his experiences in papermaking from 4:30- 6:30 p.m. He spent two years at the University of Iowa’s Hand Papermaking Research and Production Facility and is currently researching the cultivation of Alabama kozo and establishing a research garden on campus for the UA Book Arts Program.

For more information, contact Marilyn Emplaincourt, 205/348-5312, or Satoko Seale, 205/348-5311, in the UA Japan Culture and Information Center.