March 25’s Opening Ceremony featured four acts from Japan, and a ribbon cutting by Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Japanese Ambassador. This was held to kickoff a month long series of events to commemorate Tokyo’s gift of cherry trees to Washington, D.C. in 1912. Among the acts were Shimauta singer Anna Sato with drummer Toshiyuki Sasaki; violinist Miray Ito and celloist Benedict Koleckner whom made up the duo Petael; marimbist Mika Stoltzman; and seven-piece J-pop group Travis Japan.
Front of Warner Theatre
Upon entering the side press entrance to the theater, I was taken upstairs by Japanese hostesses. They brought me to the first two rows where I had plenty of seats to choose from as I arrived early. The only downside of the first row is that your angles are going to have a lectern or musical instrument in them, but the upside is your photos will be clear and not have people in front of you.
Anna Sato performs at Cherry Blossom Opening Ceremony
The atmosphere was beautiful, as most of the audience was dressed up and the lighting was a pink/purple hue for the blossoms. One of the highlights was hearing the excitement of the Cherry Blossom’s social media handler behind when marimbist Mika Stoltzman was performing. The middle front row was taken by Travis Japan fans whom had signs and several members of the group came out into the audience during their performance.
Fans of J-pop group Travis Japan hold signs up at Cherry Blossom Opening Ceremony
