Thursday, February 2
Sake tasting
5:00 – 7:00
Now You’re Cooking, 49 Front Street, Bath • Free
Experience the famous Japanese drink brewed from rice! You will be amazed at the wide range of flavors, similar to fine wine or beer. Accompanied by light hors d’oeuvres. No need to sign up, just come by and join Mike and Staff for a Japanese taste tour! FMI call Now You’re Cooking at 443-1402.
Movie showing Shall We Dance?
7:00- 9:00
Winter St. Center, 800 Washington St., Bath
“Dansu Wo Shimasho ka”, written and directed by Masayuki Suo and winner of 13 Japanese Academy Awards. A joyful movie, appropriate for the whole family, about pursuing hidden dreams. Terrific dance scenes!
Donations accepted • Homemade desserts available
Friday, February 3
Japanese cooking class with Chef Chris Toy
5:00 – 7:00
Now You’re Cooking, 49 Front St., Bath
$40 per person or $35 per person per pair Call Now You’re Cooking at 443-1402 or visit acooksemporium.com to reserve your space!
Movie showing Seven Samurai
7:00 – 10:30
Hampton Inn, 140 Commercial St., Bath
Akira Kurosawa’s classic tale, the basis of the later American film “The Magnificent Seven.” With Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura. One of the best Japanese movies ever–don’t miss this one!
Donations accepted • Homemade desserts available
Saturday, February 4
Benefit breakfast
8:00 – 11:00
Starlight Cafe, Lambard Street, Bath
Yummy Starlight food starts your day with a smile! A portion of the proceeds benefits the Bath-Tsugaru fund for scholarships and hosting.
Family carnival
1:00 – 3:00
Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Rd., Bath
• Carnival games • Japanese crafts and activities
• Martial arts demonstration and dragon parade by Five Elements School of Martial Arts
Donations accepted • Refreshments available
Japanese dinner
5:30 – 7:00
Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Rd., Bath
Enjoy delicious Japanese food, plus chances to win fabulous gift baskets!
Advance Tickets $5 each, $20 max per family;
Available at Now You’re Cooking till Wed., Feb.1.
At the door: $7 each, $25 max per family.
Celebrity Sumo Wrestling and Bowdoin College Taiko Drumming Group
7:00 – 8:00
Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Rd., Bath
Two amazing Japanese traditions come to Bath for a fun family evening of entertainment! Sumo is an ancient wrestling style, and Japan’s national sport. In Bath, our wrestlers will don inflatable Sumo suits for the occasion. Join the fun and cheer on our local celebrities who are sharing their talents in this fund raising event! Click here for more information. Between matches, Bowdoin Taiko will entertain! Bowdoin Taiko is an ensemble group which uses huge Japanese drums, and combines music, rhythm, and dance into a stunning audio-visual spectacle.
Donations accepted
Sunday, February 5
All activities are at the Patten Free Library, 33 Summer St., Bath, and are free to the public.
“Creating Japanese-Inspired Gardens in Maine”
12 noon
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.
Green Tea Ceremony
Two sessions: either 1:00 – 1:45 or 2:15 – 3:00
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. The spirit of the tea ceremony embodies “the beauty of studied simplicity and harmony with nature.”
Call Patten Free Library, 443-5141 to reserve a space
Geisha: It’s Not What You Think It Is
3:00 – 4:00
Read one of four titles and come for a lively discussion on this ancient Japanese tradition. Led by Pat Parker, professor emerita from Salem State College in Massachusetts, who lived and taught at universities in Kobe and Hiroshima, Japan.
Come by or call Patten Free Library for details
443-5141
Haiku Workshop
4:00 – 5:00
Haiku reading, discussion, and an opportunity to write your own!