T he second annual Japanese Celebration Weekend will be held Feb. 28 through March 3 at various venues throughout the city. The weekend is organized by the Bath-Tsugaru Sister City Exchange Program in honor of the longstanding student exchanges between the two cities.
Last year, hundreds of visitors attended the Celebration Weekend, and this year the offerings are even more numerous and diverse.
On Thursday, Feb. 28, the awardwinning Solo Bistro, 128 Front St., restaurant will feature Japanesethemed lunch and dinner menus.
Friday night at the Patten Free Library, 33 Summer St., the acclaimed documentary, “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” will be screened at 7 p.m. Admission is free, and refreshments will be available.
Saturday, March 2, features a series of activities for children, families and adults. At the Bath Area Family YMCA, 303 Centre St., swimmers can contribute their laps to help bridge the distance between Bath and Tsugaru, starting at 7 a.m.
Beginning at 10:15 a.m. in the Patten Free Library Children’s reading room, Carol McFadden, children’s librarian, will read “Wabi Sabi,” the story of a cat who lives in Kyoto, Japan, for children ages 4 and older. Then, at 10:30 a.m., children 7 years and older will learn about Japanese poetry, through drawing their own illustrations and words to make a pictorial haiku.
A workshop on Ikebana, the scultural Japanese art of flower and plant arranging, is being offered at the Hampton Inn, 140 Commercial St., at noon. Those interested can reserve a space by calling 844-0510.
Later, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Road, children and grownups at the Family Arts Festival can try activities such as writing their name in Japanese script, miniature sumo wrestling with tiny rice straw figures, origami paper-folding, giant Jenga, martial arts, traditional cloth dyeing, and much more. A special feature is a display of Japanese emperor wedding dolls, traditional for March 3, Girls’ Day in Japan.
Hungry visitors can enjoy dinner starting at 5:30 p.m., also at Bath Middle School. Traditional Japanese fare prepared by local chefs and restaurants will be featured. A variety of gift baskets will be raffled as well. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and free for children younger than 5. They are available in advance at Now You’re Cooking, 49 Front St. Proceeds from the dinner and raffle benefit the Bath-Tsugaru fund for student travel scholarships and hosting.
The dinner is followed at 7 p.m. by an evening of entertainment featuring the Bowdoin College Taiko drumming group, Japanese Kyudo archery demonstration, and a fashion show. Beautiful Japanese kimonos will be modeled by Morse High School students. This event is appropriate for the entire family, and admission is pay-what-youwish.
On Sunday morning, March 3, from 9 a.m. to noon, swimmers at the Bath YMCA can again add their laps to help span the 10,200 kilometers from Bath to Tsugaru. Between Japanese and American swimmers, almost half the distance has been achieved to date.
Starting at noon, the Patten Free Library is hosting the culmination of weekend offerings. First, Arthur Davis, a bonsai teacher and practitioner for more than 30 years, will bring examples from his extensive personal collection, and speak on the art, history and practice of raising bonsai.
Following at 1 p.m. is Lee Schneller Sligh, a Master Gardener and owner of Lee Schneller Fine Gardens Inc. She has created more than 200 gardens in Maine, and will be sharing slides of her work, as well as photographs from her recent trip to Japan.
Two beautiful and traditional green tea ceremonies will be offered by Sachiko Clough at 1 and 2 p.m. Those interested in the ceremony should call the Patten Free Library at 443-5141 to reserve a space.
At 2 p.m., artist Kathy Goddu will display and discuss two historic textile crafts, Shibori and Sashiko, dyeing and stitching, traditionally done with indigo.
And at 3 p.m., musician Hiroko Fogarty will give a concert on the traditional Japanese three stringed instrument called the shamisen in the Patten Free Library Reading Room.
For a complete schedule and further information, visit www.bath-tsugaru.org.
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