Co-presented with the Japan Foundation, the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s signature Opening Ceremony is an artistic celebration of the 1912 gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, DC, and an annual tribute to the longstanding friendship between Japan and the United States. This unique, one-time-only performance will feature special performances from acclaimed artists with ties to both countries.
In 2024, acclaimed New York-based composer and instrumentalist Kaoru Watanabe will bring his signature skill of infusing Japanese culture with disparate styles to create an engrossing performance of music that is melodic, authentic, and engaging.
Choreographer and dancer Jo Kanamori, general artistic director of Noism Company Niigata, will bring his abundant oversees experience to direct and choreograph a piece that will debut at the Opening Ceremony, and feature dancers from DC’s own The Washington Ballet Company.
And lastly, fresh off his nationwide tour of one hundred different venues in Japan, celebrating his 20th anniversary as a performer, Naotaro Moriyama will take to the Warner Theatre stage with his unique vocalization that has been praised by all generations of music lovers.
For more information on tickets and Livestream viewing, click HERE.