TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The 18th 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 “hiyaku” or leap. This word captures the energy and enthusiasm of bounding forward to achieve new goals and initiatives. The theme also coincides with the Leap Year of 2004. Through the celebration of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture, the people of Alabama and Japan are united for a bright future together.

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: The Alabama Power Co., Daikin America Inc., Honda Manufacturing of America, JVC America Inc., McCord Leakless Sealing Co., Alabama Gas Corp., Sony Magnetic Products, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, Continental Airlines, The Japan-America Society of Alabama, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission and Richard R. Newton.
The 2004 Sakura Festival schedule of events includes:

Monday, March 1 -- The 14th Annual Sakura Haiku Contest

Celebrating Japanese poems, the haiku contest provides writers from Japan and Alabama the opportunity to capture images “leaping” from their hearts. The winning entries in English or Japanese are published in an attractive booklet and winners receive cash prizes. Information and entry forms are available from the UA Japan Program at 205/348-5312, or http://bama.ua.edu/~jprogram/sakura.

Contest Deadline: Monday, March 1

March 1-31 -- Victorian Exotica Exhibit: The Japanese Design Influence in the 19th Century Decorative Trade Binding Styles

This exhibit at the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library on the UA campus will feature selected books from the Lafcadio Hearn Collection as well as other 19th Century books that feature Japanese style elements. Traditional Japanese book bindings from the early 20th Century will also be on display. This exhibit will open to the public on March 1 and will be on display throughout the month. Admission is free.

Monday-Friday , 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

March 2-31 -- Sakura Festival at the Children’s Hands-On Museum (CHOM)

Children can “leap” through the world of fantasy, culture and knowledge at CHOM. Celebrate Sakura Festival 2004 with a visit to the museum’s Japan House, an authentic replica of a Japanese home. Visitors can try on kimonos, present their “passports,” and experience Japanese arts and crafts. Information is available at 205/349-4235. The exhibit is open the entire month of March. Admission is charged to the public.

Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

CHOM is located at 2213 University Blvd., downtown Tuscaloosa

March 2-31 -- Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri) Exhibit at Birmingham Museum of Art

Visit the Birmingham Museum of Art and see Japan’s treasures. Throughout the month, a collection of Taisho period (1912-1926) Japanese dolls donated to the museum will be on exhibit. Information is available by calling 205/254-2566

Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Noon-5 p.m.

Wednesday, March 3 -- Doll Festival Exhibit at the Japan Culture and Information Center (JCIC)

Children of all ages are invited to celebrate the Doll Festival (Girls’ Festival or Peach Festival) on March 3rd at the JCIC. Beautiful dolls representing the traditional Japanese royal court will be on display in the tatami room. The Doll Festival, which was originally a purification ritual, represents a day of hope for the growth and future happiness of young girls. Guests will be able to enjoy delicious, Japanese refreshments. Information is available by calling 205/348-5311.

JCIC is located at 210 Research Drive on the UA campus.

Friday, March 5 -- The 6th Annual Sakura Festival Art Contest

This contest is open to children in grades 1-12. The contest theme this year is “Coming Together to Build a Better World.” Any medium may be used on poster size paper. The art work will be judged on Monday, March 8th, and will be on display in the center court of McFarland Mall on March 10-14. Information is available by calling 205/469-2183.

Contest Deadline: Friday, March 5

Friday, March 5 -- Exhibit of Hisashi Otsuka

Internationally recognized kimon fabric paintings by Hisashi Otsuka and other Japanese paintings by Koji Mituzani will be on display at the Ferguson Center Art Gallery. The opening reception with be at 3:30 p.m. The paintings will be on display on Saturday, March 6, from Noon-6 p.m., and Sunday, March 7, from Noon-5 p.m.

Saturday, March 6 -- Tea Ceremony for Children at Children’s Hands-On Museum

This program will be offered in conjunction with the Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission from 11 a.m.- Noon and from 2 p.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday, March 13 -- 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. The event will run from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

• 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. -- Okinawa dance and Taiko (drum), Miyagi Nosho Ryukyu Dance and Music School
• 12:35-12:55 p.m. -- Sumo 4 U!, Georgia Sumo Association
• 1-1:20 p.m. --Tuscaloosa City Schools Violins
• 1:25- 1:45 p.m. -- Comedy, UA Japan Club
• 1:50- 2:10 -- Japanese Martial Arts, UA Yoseikan Budo Club
• 2:15- 2:35 p.m. -- Koto and Flute duets, Koji and Laurie Arizumi
• 2:40-3 p.m. -- Traditional Japanese Swordsmanship, International Shinkendo Federation
• 3:05- 3:25 p.m. -- Okinawa Dance and Taiko (drum), Miyagi Nosho Ryukyu Dance and Music School
• 3:30-3:50 p.m. -- Sumo 4 U!, Georgia Sumo Association
• 3:55- 4:15 p.m. -- Isshin Ryu Karate, Academy of Okinawa Martial Arts
• 4:20- 4:40 p.m. -- Japanese drumming, Nozomi Daiko
• 4:45- 5 p.m. -- Drawing for free round-trip tickets to Japan and within continental United States
• Closing Ceremony -- Kip Tyner

Sunday, March 21 – Tea Ceremony at Tuscaloosa Public Library

Japanese traditional culture is introduced through a tea ceremony, which will be performed and explained by members of the Urasenke Tankoukai Birmingham Association from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Matcha, the powdered green tea used in the ceremony, and Japanese tea cookies will be served free to the first 50 guests. The ceremony will be held in the Rotary Room of the Tuscaloosa Public Library. More information is available by calling Elizabeth Bradt at 205/345-5820.

Tuscaloosa Public Library is located at 1801 Jack Warner Parkway

March 24-25 -- Origami Workshop

Children can travel through a world of creativity by folding paper to make toys and decorations. The workshop will be held on March 24, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Tuscaloosa Public Library, and again on March 25, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Weaver Bolden Branch Library.

TV Appearances on “Great Day Tuscaloosa”

Tune in at noon on Comcast channel 20 to “Great Day Tuscaloosa.” Preview upcoming Sakura events on the following days:

• Monday, March 8 -- Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission and Exhibit of 19th Century Japanese Art and Antiques
• Tuesday, March 9 -- Tuscaloosa Public Library and their events during Sakura Festival
• Wednesday, March 10 -- Nozomi Daiko (Japanese drum performance)
• Thursday, March 11 -- Origami and Japanese gift wrapping
• Friday, March 12 -- Kimono

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