2018 - 9th Annual Sonoma County Matsuri Festival (Sunday) Japanese Food, Crafts, Taiko, Dance, Origami, Martial Arts..NEW

Celebrating its ninth year, Matsuri! has become one of the signature cultural festivals in the North Bay. The event is organized by Sonoma County Matsuri, whose mission is to offer deep insights into Japanese culture by providing a forum for Bay Area artisans, artists, and performers of Japanese traditional arts to showcase their talents. 

Performances and demonstrations at the admission-free, family-friendly Japanese festival will take place throughout the day in Juilliard Park and will feature taiko drumming, traditional Japanese dance and music, martial arts demonstrations, Kyogen theater performance, Tea Ceremony, and more. Back by popular demand, there will also be a children’s activity booth and mochitsuki - the pounding of sweet rice into cakes using a wooden mallet. Complementing the festivities and performances will be a variety of exhibitors and vendors featuring Japanese arts, crafts, and food. 

Matsuri! Japanese Arts Festival is partially funded through the City of Santa Rosa’s Community Promotions Funds. Additional sponsors include the Julia L. Grant Donor Advised Fund of Community Foundation Sonoma County, Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League, Exchange Bank Sebastopol, and many other supporters. 

Date
Sunday, May 6, 2018

Time
11:00 am - 5:00 pm

All proceeds from the raffle held at the event will go to the Matsuri Scholarship Fund, which supports individuals and organizations in Sonoma County who study or teach Japanese culture in the community. “This will be our ninth year to hold Matsuri, and we’re thrilled that the festival continues to grow year after year thanks to the generosity and strong support of our sponsors and the entire community. We are honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the cultural richness and diversity of Sonoma County by showcasing authentic Japanese arts, music, theater, and entertainment,” says Henry Kaku, Sonoma County Matsuri Board President.

As a prelude to the festival, Sonoma County Matsuri will offer a special shakuhachi concert by Grand Master Riley Lee from Australia and local musician Elliot Kallen on Saturday, May 5, at 7pm. The performance will be held at the Church of One Tree in Santa Rosa. Tickets are $15 advance sale and $20 at the door.

For more information about Matsuri! Japanese Arts Festival and the pre-festival concert, please visit www.sonomamatsuri.com or www.facebook.com/sonomamatsuri/ or email info@sonomamatsuri.com. Sonoma County Matsuri is a non-profit organization based in Santa Rosa. Its mission is to share and promote Japanese arts and culture by providing educational opportunities and enhanced intercultural understanding in the greater Bay Area. 

Photo credit: Judy Bellah