The Japan America Society of Rhode Island is celebrating the 35th year of the Black Ships Festival, July 13-15, 2018. In 1984, the Festival got its start in Newport and this summer we are pleased to expand into Bristol! The Black Ships Festival is a celebration of the friendship between the country of Japan and the state of Rhode Island in commemoration of Commodore Matthew C. Perry. Commodore Perry opened trade up between the United States and Japan with the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1864. Japanese arts and crafts, martial arts, a Japanese tea ceremony and Taiko drums are only some of the highlights! For complete details visit www.blackshipsfestival.com

Here is this year’s schedule of events:

Friday, July 13th

• Opening Ceremony, 10:30am, Independence Park, Thames St., Bristol
• Colorful ceremonies, Wreath-laying and speeches by Japanese and American dignitaries. Free admission
• Sushi & Sake Sail Aboard the Schooner Aurora, 3:00pm – 5:00pm, Goat Island Marina, Newport
• Sail aboard a magnificent Tall Ship! View Newport harbor as you sip sake from Gekkeikan, and sample great sushi. Space is limited to 68 people. A sellout every year! Sponsored by IDC, The Newport Experience. $30 per person in advance and $35 day of event (if available).
• Taiko Drum Performances & Japanese Hip-Hop Street Dance Team, 7:00pm-8:30pm, Herreshoff Waterside Tent. Gendo Taiko and Shin Daiko, will dazzle you with their electrifying drums. 12DC Dance Team, visiting us from Shimoda, Japan will excite you with their trendy dance moves. $10 per person.

Saturday, July 14th

• Arts, Crafts & Martial Arts Fair, 10:00am – 4:00pm, Independence Park, Thames St, Bristol

Independence Park will transform into a Japanese-American Cultural Center, featuring demonstrations, workshops, and displays. Including Arts and Crafts and Martial Arts Demonstrations. Street Dance Team 12DC from Shimoda, Japan will be performing throughout the weekend! Taiko Drumming Presentations, US Navy Band Performance and so much more! Free admission!

• Black Ships Festival Gala, 6:30pm, The Elegant Waterside Tent at Herreshoff Museum – Bristol, RI

Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Black Ships Festival. Enjoy a formal gala honoring the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa and the accomplishments of the United States Navy. Join us as we welcome Japanese Dignitaries, RI Officials and the US Navy. Enjoy a unique evening that fuses both Japanese and American culture. The Gala includes dancing, an Open Bar, wines by Oyster Bay Wines, Vodka Martini Bar with Broken Shed Vodka and cultural cuisine with a Japanese flare. Begin the evening with the breaking of the Ceremonial Sake Drum filled with Gekkeikan Sake. Enjoy an exclusive taiko drumming presentation by Brown University Taiko Drummers. Outstanding sit down dinner prepared by Pranzi Catering, Sushi station by Haruki, hand crafted cocktails by the Cocktail Guru and a special presentation by 12DC Street Dance Team from Shimoda, Japan.

Sunday, July 15th

Sushi & Sake Sail Aboard the Schooner Aurora, 11:00am-1:00pm, Goat Island Marina, Newport

• Sail aboard a magnificent Tall Ship. View Newport harbor as you sip sake from Gekkeikan, and sample some great sushi. Space is limited to 68 people. A sellout every year! Sponsored by IDC, The Newport Experience. $35 per person in advance and $40 day of event (if available). For tickets: 401-846-2720, or buy online at http://www.blackshipsfestival.com/product/sushi-sake-sail-ii/.