2023 Cultural
Marketplace Fair
文化とマーケットの祭り
Independence Park; 419-459 Thames St, Bristol, RI 02809
Saturday, August 12th, 2023 Schedule
11:00 AM – 3:30 PM • Independence Park; 419-459 Thames St, Bristol, RI 02809
Independence Park on Thames Street is transformed into a Japanese-American Cultural Center. Experience family fun at our 40th Cultural Marketplace Fair filled with arts, entertainment, martial arts, food, one-of-a-kind shopping, kid's crafts & Cosplay Costume Contest - all with a distinctly Asian twist.
Come spend a few hours at the festival and enjoy a day outside in beautiful Bristol with your friends and family. The Black Ships Cultural Marketplace Fair showcases Japanese performers, food trucks, artisans, and community groups where you will find one-of-a-kind arts and delicious craft fair eats.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES and DEMONSTRATIONS
Arts and Crafts Tent
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM
The Japanese Consulate of Boston, Friends of the Rogers Free Library, Classical High School Japanese Language Students in Providence, and many Japan fans will join here to celebrate the summer in Japanese style.
Origami, Calligraphy, Tanabata (star festival), children’s crafts, Henna tattoos, Koma Play (top spinning), Wanage (ring toss), Yukana(summer Kimono) dressing, Manga, and more.
Kendama (ball and cup) contests (1:55 and 1:30).
The singalongs (11:30, 2:30) with Mr. Jamie Barrett, Distinguished Music Educator from Boston will surprise the audience as one of Perry's descendants.
In July Japanese children celebrate たなばたTanabata, the star festival, by writing a wish on a paper streamer and hanging it from bamboo branches. You may write your wishes in English or in Japanese. Someone will help you to write in Japanese if you don’t know the language yet. Tanabata originates from the Chinese tale that two stars, the lovers (Vega and Altair) meet once a year, over the milky way. How romantic!!!
Ohisama Tent お日様テント
Ohisama means sunshine in Japanese. There will be many amazing Japanese items under this fun tent. Be prepared to be surprised!!!!
Sencha Tea Ceremony / Ogasawara Ryu Senchado. 小笠原流茶道
Master teacher, Mrs. Eri Pace from Eri’s Tea House will show the way of tea. Mrs. Pace will guide you to the authentic way of making ice green tea from Gyokuro leaves. The guests will learn how to receive the ice green tea, and will learn how a simple tea gives you a refreshing, yet calming experience in your mind.
Demonstration Times: 11:15am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm
Bristol Garden Club Tent
Ikebana and the beauty of plants from Japan and the world. Ongoing Kokedama demonstrations and selling Kokedama plants.
The Dragon Boat, 龍の船 Black Stone Valley Tourism
Take a picture in front of the colorful Dragon Boat. For sure this means Good Luck will be on your way.
STAGE PERFORMANCES
Time for each performance may change.
11:00am Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo 居合剣法 (Center Circle)
Witness the unity of spirituality and physical discipline of Samurai. The arts of swordsmanship dating back to the Samurai era has been practiced at present time in the USA.
11:00am Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England (Flag Stage) 大太鼓ニューイングランド
The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese. The sound of the taiko has an irresistible draw that summons people to seek out its source!
11:15am Koto Performance (Center Circle) 琴演奏
Acclaimed international musician Sumie Kaneko plays the koto, a Japanese plucked half-tube zither instrument and the national instrument of Japan. Although many people think of it as an ancient instrument whose music has not changed for generations, in fact it is a vibrant, living tradition.
11:45am Dance by Classical High School Dance Group, “OKAZE.” (Flag Stage)
OKAZE is the popular dance group for K-pop and J-pop at many school events. Big applause to the young dancers for their artistic fast movement.
12:00pm Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England (Flag Stage) 大太鼓ニューイングランド
The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese. The sound of the taiko has an irresistible draw that summons people to seek out its source!
12:25pm JAPAN PARADE with Tanko Bushi / Kurofune Bushi 炭坑節／黒船節!! Chiho, Izumi from OHISAMA, & Friends from Roger Free Library (Center Circle - Flag Stage)
Join the parade with your mask, Uchiwa (Japanese fan), a streamer, or anything you think is JAPANESE!! Cosplayers, too. Join the parade to show off your costumes. Tanko Bushi is a Japanese summer folk dance from the south Kyushu island. Follow the person in front of you for this unique dance to make more friends just like they do in the summer in Japan. Ohisama means sunshine in Japanese. For sure this parade brings a lot of spark to all of you. You are very lucky if you get playfully bitten by the lion!!!
Thank you to the following vendors for joining the Cultural Marketplace Fair:
Food Trucks and Booths
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Dei’s Ice Cream
Vendors
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Bead Yourself
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Bristol Garden Club
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Coral Anchor RI
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Dragon’s Bounty
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East Bay Crafts
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Eri’s Tea House
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Jacqueline Drake Art
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Jade Sisti Fine Arts
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John Dunn
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Ohisama Club (sale of sticker tattoos)
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R Golden Designs
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Robert Foley Books
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Sassy Sparkles $5 Jewelry
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Trick My Ride
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WSJ Pottery
Community Booths
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Japanese Arts and Crafts, Games - Experience Japanese Summer Tent
J Pop by Izumi (Flag Stage)
Izumi’s powerful performance in Anime costumes attracts so many fans from all over the world.
1:00pm Navy Band Northeast (Flag Stage)
Navy Band Northeast supports the Navy’s mission by providing music for community events with their return to the Black Ships Festival. A real showstopper!
2:00pm Cosplay Contest for 17 and Under (Center Circle)
Gather around, everyone!! Time to march in your costumes and masks. Your costumes must be family-friendly. Great prizes will be given for three Best Cosplayers for their creativity, craftsmanship, and performances. Dress up with your pup for the Pet Costume Award. Dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times. Owners/Handlers are responsible for the actions of their pet. It's the Black Ships Festival’s cutest event!
2:15pm Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England (Flag Stage)
大太鼓ニューイングランド
The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese. The sound of the taiko has an irresistible draw that summons people to seek out its source!
2:30pm Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo 居合道剣法 (Center Circle)
Witness the unity of spirituality and physical discipline of Samurai. The arts of swordsmanship dating back to the Samurai era has been practiced at present time in the USA.
A Special Thank you to the Black Ships Festival Performers
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OKAZE
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Chiho and Izumi