Schedule of Events:
SATURDAY, MARCH 1
Cheseborough Lap Swim – All Day
Bath Area YMCA,303 Centre Street, Bath
Swim and tally your laps to help bridge the distance between Bath and its Japanese sister city! Check in with the YMCA life guards to log your laps. FMI: 443-4112
The Art of the Kimono – 1:00-2:00 pm
Hampton Inn, 140 Commercial St., Bath
Learn about the Kimono: how they have evolved over the centuries, how the tradition has evolved, and how designs vary for age, gender, status and ceremony. Professor Pat Parker, who lived and taught for many years in Japan, will lead the discussion and demonstrate the art of dressing.
Ikebana Workshop – 2:00-3:00 pm
Hampton Inn, 140 Commercial St., Bath
Explore the sculptural Japanese art of flower and plant arranging, and make your own, with instruction from Naomi Chiba. Participants are encouraged to bring their own ikebana vase and a small selection of plant cuttings. Some materials may be available for purchase. Limited space available. To pre-register, call: 844-0510.
Sake Tasting – 3:00-5:00 pm
Now You’re Cooking , 49 Front St., Bath
Sample a full selection of Japanese rice wines – some served hot and others cold. A great chance to discover your favorite. Many varieties will be available for purchase.
Bento Box Pick-up – 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Rd. Bath
Take-out or eat-in! Enjoy a selection of your favorite Japanese dishes such as: riceballs, sushi, edamame, gyoza and more. Bento Box tickets are available at Now You’re Cooking, $15* each. Limited number are available!
* All Bento box ticket sales benefit the Bath-Tsugaru Student Traveler Scholarship Fund and are non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
Bowdoin Taiko Drumming – 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Rd., Bath
Bowdoin Taiko is an ensemble group which uses huge Japanese drums and combines music, rhythm, and dance into a stunning audio-visual spectacle.They have dazzled the audience in the last 2 years with their performance. 50/50 raffle tickets will also be available. All ticket proceeds will benefit the student traveler scholarship fund.
SUNDAY, MARCH 2
Cheseborough Lap Swim – All Day
Bath Area YMCA, 303 Centre Street, Bath
Swim and tally your laps to help bridge the distance between Bath and its Japanese sister city! Check in with the YMCA life guards to log your laps. FMI: 443-4112
Anime / Manga Workshop – 11 am-1:00 pm
Bath Area YMCA, 303 Centre Street, Bath
Interested in Japanese anime and manga? Ever wanted to experience them in their original Japanese forms or learn what the strange symbols mean? Come visit us for a display of manga, a brief onomatopoeia lesson and a chance to watch anime series that are popular in Japan, yet largely unknown in America. Please stop by, sit and enjoy our presentation.
Japanese Archery – 1:00-2:00 pm
Bath Area YMCA, 303 Centre Street, Bath
Learn about Kyudo, literally “The Way of the Bow”,a martial practice using the unique bamboo Japanese bow. Demonstration and talk will be led by Tashi Armstrong.
Japanese Gardening – 1:00-2:30 pm
Patten Free Library, 33 Summer St., Bath
Talk and slide presentation by Lee Schneller Sligh, owner of Lee Schneller Fine Gardens, Inc. Lee is a Master Gardener volunteer and has designed and built over 200 gardens in Maine.
Japanese Fabrics – Film #1 – 1:00-3:00 pm
Hampton Inn, 140 Commercial S t, Bath “
“Arimatsu-Narumi Shibori: 400 Years 1608-2008”. This video explains the history of Arimatsu-Narumi, the Shibori district of Japan. It has wonderful demonstrations of the various Shibori techniques with explanations. You get the true feel for the times and this art. Examples of textiles will be available for people to see, touch, and ask questions about. There will be time for discussion. Donations accepted.
Green Tea Ceremony
Two sessions: 1:00-2:00 pm, or 2:00-3:00 pm
Patten Free Library, 33 Summer S t., Bath
The Japanese tea ceremony or “chanoyu” is an aesthetic pastime unique to Japan. The basis of the ceremony still practiced today was established in the 16th century. Practitioner Sachiko Clough will conduct the ceremony, which embodies “the beauty of studied simplicity and harmony with nature.” Space is limited to 8 per session. Call Patten Free Library, 443-5141 to reserve a space.
The Art of Raising Bonsai – 2:30-4:00 pm
Patten Free Library, 33 Summer S t., Bath
Demonstration and talk by Arthur Davis, teacher and practitioner with over 30 years experience. He will bring examples from his own collection of more than 250 bonsai. Bonsai is a Japanese art form of cultivating miniature trees to mimic the shape and style of mature, full size trees.
Japanese Fabrics – Film #2 – 3:30-5:30 pm
Hampton Inn, 140 Commercial St, Bath
“Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo” – a documentary by Mary Lance (79 min). Indigo is a blue dye that has been in use worldwide for millennia; a vibrant color laden with symbolic meaning; a commodity that was once central to international trade and colonial economies; and the reason blue jeans are blue. Filmed in India, Japan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mexico, El Salvador, and the U.S., this fascinating documentary weaves visually stunning stories of indigo’s cultural traditions, its history and importance in global trade, and the people who are reviving indigo for sustainable development. They are once again making true blue.