Author: Info

Cherry Jam Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry Jam opening concert at Burrard Skytrain

Post author By Info
Post date March 30, 2017
No Comments on Cherry Jam opening concert at Burrard Skytrain

It was a gorgeous sunny day for the opening of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival at the Burrard skytrain station today.

The Akebono cherry buds were about to open, and there were some blossoms at the top of the trees.

First stop: the Cocktails and Canape booth where you could pick up a Blossom Bliss picnic, along with cherry blossom shake, and popcorn dessert.

After browsing the vendors’ table, it was time to pick a spot: the show was about to start.

First, Sinfonia Orchestra took the stage for an amazing concert. A choir accompanied them on stage, and then some flash-mob singers, dispersed throughout the crowd, joined their voice for a rendition of Sakura! Sakura! I’m really glad they played it twice because that was a pretty cool to hear all the voices joining the choir from everywhere in the station.

Then, we were delighted by the sound of Son De Maple, a Vancouver based band with a latin sound and the most amazing percussionist I’ve ever seen (never thought someone could play a tambourine like this).

The Cherry Jam concert ended with the Uzume Taiko drumming group. They were accompanied by members of the South Asian Arts group who made us dance to the sound of Bollywood music.

Linda Poole, the festival director, closed the festivities and wished everybody a happy spring and a great Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Akebono cherry trees, which are be 2-3 weeks behind the normal blooming season, are just about to open everywhere in the city, so go visit soon!

Leaving the station, I saw a woman taking pictures of the smaller tree planted in front of the station and realized this was probably my best chance for me to get a close-up of the blossoms. The tree is in the sunlight. It was perfect.

If you didn’t pick up a VCBF schedule at the festival tent, you’ll find it in this this week’s Georgia Straight. Visit our website for a complete list of activities and updates.

Tags Akebono cherry blossoms, Akebono cherry buds, Akebono cherry trees, Burrard Skytrain Station, Linda Poole, Sinfonia Orchestra, Son De Maple, South Asian Arts, Uzume Taiko

Arts & Crafts Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Koinobori painting

Koinobori painting was one of the new hands-on workshop offered at the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival this year. Participants were invited to paint on a scale, or write a haiku, to contribute to the Koinobori Installation.

The table was all set for the 16 participants who registered to the painting session at Kerrisdale Community Centre.

Participants were greeted with examples of previous paintings lining up the wall of the South Room.

Participants took their seat, then started to mix paint.

It was amazing to see so much creativity.

While participants finished their artwork, I browsed through the pile of finished paintings produced during previous workshops.

The Koinobori Installation, sponsored by Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. in partnership with the Powell Street Festival, will be displayed at Sakura Days Japan Fair on April 8-9 2017. About 150 scales will cover the carp’s giant wooden structure.

Come see the finished installation at Sakura Days Japan Fair on April 8-9 2017!

Tags Kerrisdale Community Centre, Koinobori Installation, Koinobori scale painting, Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd., Powell Street Festival

Sakura Night

Meet the Master Chefs Behind Sakura Night

Post author By Info
Post date March 17, 2017
No Comments on Meet the Master Chefs Behind Sakura Night

As it is the custom in Japan to celebrate the new season and sakura or cherry blossoms with seasonal food, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is proud to present the 3^rd annual Sakura Night Gala

On Sunday April 2 at Stanley Park Pavilion, Sakura Night will showcase an array of Asian-fusion dishes from eight of Vancouver’s top chefs. Meet two of the Master Chefs behind the mouth-watering magic.

Purchase your Sakura Night event ticket here before it sells out! – it will be an evening to remember!

Chef Ryu Yamamura – Zakkushi
Chef Ryu Yamamura was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan where he received authentic training from local masters to become a renowned Yakitori Chef. After opening and running Okada Ryuhei, his own yakitori venture in Japan for two years, Yamamura was attracted to life overseas and decided to pursue the Canadian food scene and spread the joy of yakitori.

Photo Credit Leila Kwok

Yakitori is one of the most popular Japanese cuisine that has been around for more than 300 years. Yakitori is skewered chicken grilled over charcoal called “binchotan”. By cooking over the charcoal, it gives more flavour and rich taste.

Photo Credit Leila Kwok

Using charcoal is very sensitive and difficult. The special yakitori sauce used to grill yakitori is aged and thickened over time to give deeper taste and natural deliciousness.

Zakkushi will be serving charcoal grilled pork and chicken skewers at Sakura Night.

Chef Nobu Ochi – Zen
“The opportunity to sample Chef Nobu Ochi’s exquisitely crafted, beautifully plated selection of sashimi, sushi, and innovative maki is well worth a trek across the bridge.” – Vancouver Magazine

Photo Credit Leila Kwok

Zen Japanese Restaurant, the critic’s choice as the North Shore’s best Japanese restaurant, also won the 2014 Diners’ Choice OpenTable Award and was Vancouver’s first Japanese restaurant to join Ocean Wise, a Vancouver Aquarium program committed to the long-term health and stability of the greater marine ecosystem.

Photo Credit Leila Kwok

Chef Nobu Ochi will be serving Fish & Chips, a coconut prawn roll, a marine roll, and temaki made to order at this years Sakura Night. Chef Nobu Ochi’s selections were served while he was a guest Chef at Toso.

“Within 1 hour of opening, we had served all the 150 orders that I had prepared for the whole evening.” – Chef Nobu Ochi.

“This dessert will change your world!” – Bella Gelateria
Pink bubbly will be flowing and the dining experience will finish with a one-of-a-kind gelato sushi dessert created by Bella Gelateria.

Photo Credit James Coleridge

“This dessert will change your world!” – James Coleridge

2014 International Gelato Master of the Year by Italy’s oldest gelato association, MIG Exhibition
2012 Double Gold Winner, Florence Gelato Festival, Technical Jury & People’s Choice
2011 Gelato Pioneer Award “The Father” – Carpigiani Group, Italy

View the full Sakura Night menu here.

Purchase your Sakura Night event ticket here – it will be an evening for your palette to remember.

Thank you to our world-class sponsors for making this event possible:

Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio
Zen Japanese Restaurant
Zakkushi
Benkei Ramen
Hapa Izakaya
Masayoshi
Prestons Restaurant + Lounge
Bella Gelateria
Evolve Cellars
Stanley Park Brewing

Tags Gala, Sakura Night

Cherry Scouts Photos

Whitcomb cherry trees at Nelson and Bute

Post author By Info
Post date February 25, 2017
No Comments on Whitcomb cherry trees at Nelson and Bute

This Whitcomb cherry tree at the corner of Nelson and Bute seems to be overtaken by vines.

From the park across the street, you can take nice photos of the blossoms with apartment buildings in the background.

It’s nice to see Whitcomb cherry trees are finally starting to bloom after a pretty harsh winter in Vancouver (lots of snow!) Use the VCBF neighbourhood map to find Whitcomb cherry trees in Vancouver. Happy cherry blossom viewing!

Tags appartment, Bute, Nelson, Vancouver cherry blossoms, Vancouver cherry trees, West-End, whitcomb cherry blossoms, Whitcomb cherry trees

Cherry Scouts Photos

Whitcomb cherry trees at Nicola and Beach

Post author By Info
Post date February 25, 2017
No Comments on Whitcomb cherry trees at Nicola and Beach

These Whitcomb cherry trees, located in front of a beautiful apartment building at Nicola and Beach, will please photographers.

You can snap pictures of the blossoms and capture the nice architectural details on the building.

There are plenty of blossoms at this location.

Fallen cherry blossoms are covering the sidewalk.

There are two more Shirofugen cherry trees (not in bloom) on each side of the main steps. When they bloom, this will be a spectacular photo opportunity!

The building was so beautiful. Across the street, there was a woman capturing the scene in watercolour painting.

This location is only steps away from the seawall. Visit soon. The tree is about 50% bloom.

Tags appartment building, Beach, Nicola, Vancouver cherry blossoms, Vancouver cherry trees, West-End, Whitcomb cherry trees

Cherry Scouts Photos

Whitcomb cherry trees at Nicola and Pendrell

Post author By Info
Post date February 25, 2017
No Comments on Whitcomb cherry trees at Nicola and Pendrell

You can always count on the Whitcomb cherry trees located at Nicola and Pendrell to announce the beginning of the Vancouver cherry blossom season: they’re the first cherry trees to bloom in the city.

The Whitcomb cherry blossoms are currently 40% open and worth a visit if you’re in the Vancouver West-End area.

Due to the presence of many electrical wires, you’ll need to zoom to get good pictures.

Don’t forget to look at your feet: the fallen blossoms can make good photos too.

Use the VCBF neighbourhood map to locate Whitcomb cherry trees in your area.

Happy cherry blossom viewing!

Tags Nicola, park, Pendrell, Vancouver cherry blossoms, Vancouver cherry trees, West-End, whitcomb cherry blossoms, Whitcomb cherry trees

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Vancouver to select official city tree

Post author By Info
Post date May 19, 2016
No Comments on Vancouver to select official city tree

Festival creator and Linda Poole at Queen Elizabeth Park

Read Our Media Release here or click on the photo below!

On Monday, May 16^th, the Vancouver Park Board announced its plan to select an official tree for the City of Vancouver. The nomination and selection process would include input from students in Vancouver schools, the public, and a panel with expertise in forest diversity. Once endorsed and adopted by the City of Vancouver, the official tree would be announced during Tree Week 2017.
We salute the Park Board for this excellent initiative and for everything they and their staff do year-round to care for, maintain and celebrate the 440,000 trees that grace our streets and parks. We look forward to sharing more information about the selection process when it becomes available. In the meantime, we encourage you to voice your support for the cherry tree with friends, via Twitter and on our Facebook page.

Photos Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Blossom Barge

It was an exciting day as the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival’s Blossom Barge traveled up False Creek and moored at Granville Island Public Market for two days of performances.

People arriving at Granville Island were greeted by the Festival banner under the Burrard Bridge.

The barge (presented by Tymac Launch Service) was moored at the Granville Island market courtyard at dock 7.

On board the Blossom Barge were 40 cherry trees that will later be planted in a Vancouver park.

Festival director Linda Poole was dressed for the occasion.

Saturday’s performances included: Tetsu Taiko & Tzo’kam collaboration, Langley Ukulele Ensemble, Kutapira, and the international yoyo superstar – Harrison Lee.

People tended to gather at the front of the dock, but music could be heard from anywhere in the market courtyard and the stage is visible from all the side docks, so there’s plenty of places to sit and enjoy the show while you eat delicious food from the market.

In the parking lot, the 10th anniversary Blossom Car, driven by festival director Linda Poole, was turning heads.

Join us again on Sunday April 17 for another day of performances and the final send-off as a flotilla will travel up False Creek.

Tags banner, Blossom Barge, Granville Island, Harrison Lee, Langley Ukulele, Linda Poole, Tetsku Taiko, Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Photos Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Sakura Illumination

Sakura Illumination took place in Stanley Park, at the Japanese Memorial, on the evening of April 1 2016. This activity presented by HFour Design – one of the highlights of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival – was attended by over 3,000 people.

I arrived at the Japanese Memorial around 7.30pm and there was already close to 1,000 people on the site.

People were sitting on blankets, waiting for the sun to come down and the lanterns to turn on.

Around 8.00 p.m., the generators kicked in and the lanterns were lit. The excitement was palpable in the audience.

Waiting for the night to fall, I visited the Japanese memorial where the Ojichin was beautifully lit.

Around 9pm, it was night time. Two dozens lanterns were hanging in the Shirotae cherry trees. Some were on low branches so you could have your picture taken with them. There were also Japanese umbrellas with flashing led lights.

The fully bloomed Shirotae cherry trees were lit up with different colour lights with spotlights. And there was a live projection of moving images on the tree canopy accompanied by music. It was a beautiful evening.

Walking back on the seawall, I enjoyed this amazing view of Vancouver skyline.

A few minutes after I had taken this photo, hundreds of cyclists – dressed in costumes, their bikes adorned with lights – passed on seawall chanting: “Vancouver Bike Train!” The line of cyclists went on for at least 20 minutes and was quite entertaining to watch.

This fun cycling event reminded me of our upcoming Bike the Blossoms event with Velopalooza on April 9. Join the fun!

Photos: Jessica Tremblay

Tags Hfour Design, Japanese lanterns, Japanese memorial, Japanese umbrellas, light show, projectsion, Sakura Illumination, Stanley Park, Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, Vancouver skyline

Cherry Scouts Photos Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Stanley Park Tree Talk and walk

Post author By Info
Post date March 28, 2016
No Comments on Stanley Park Tree Talk and walk

It was a gorgeous day for our Stanley Park Tree Talk and Walk.

About 35 people attended the tour lead by Bill Stephen (Park Board Superintendent of Urban Forestry) for a history of the park and a closer look at the cherry trees.

Akebono cherry petals were falling: at the slightest breeze, we were showered with petals. It was magical.

The Akebono blossoms (nearing the end of season) were totally white, luminescent.

Cherry Scout Wendy Cutler was wearing her blossom shoes for the occasion.

Between the rose garden and the pavilion, we stopped to see a small Takasago (hidden by other trees) on a trail.

Along the way, Bill talked about other types of trees in Stanley Park like the sycamores and Douglas firs.

The white Shirotae leading to the Japanese memorial were in full bloom.

At the Japanese memorial, we concluded our walk with the Ojochin cherry tree (also in full bloom). You could see copper leaves coming out.

Cherry petals are falling fast in Stanley Park (that’s why we had to reschedule the walk for today so people would get a chance to see the blossoms). Visit within the next 2 days to be showered with petals.

Check out our webpage for regular updates on the upcoming tree talk and walks.

Tags Akebono cherry trees, cherry scouts, Japanese memorial, Ojochin cherry tree, rose garden, Shirotae cherry trees, Stanley Park tree talk and walk, Tree talks and Walks, Vancouver cherry blossoms

Don’t miss out on sakura!