The Pittsburgh Sakura Project will hold its annual Spring Planting Day on April 5 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm near the North Park Boathouse (map). The Pittsburgh Sakura Project has been planting sakura (cherry blossom trees) and other trees at North Park since 2009, and will plant 37 next weekend. More details on the events of the day, via the group's website:
To start us off, there will be a little music, provided by Mr. Koichiro Suzuki, of the River City Brass Band, a speech, and a planting demonstration. There will also be a raffle, including a $500 discount coupon for roundtrip to Japan through Chicago courtesy of ANA (All Nippon Airways) and the Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh.
Besides planting, we will spread mulch, water trees, and install deer-protection fences, so we can use volunteers of all strengths!
From 2:00 to 4:00, the Carnegie Library in Oakland (map) will host the third annual Tomodachi Festival, which serves as an introduction to Japanese culture for local children.
Tomodachi is a Japanese word meaning "friends." Help us celebrate the spirit of friendship through activities, art and treats that showcase Japan, its people and its rich history. Activities include kumihomo-making, origami, kamishibai theater, music, and kimono try-on.And from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in room 527 of the William Pitt Union, the origami clubs from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University will hold an Origami Spring Social. The William Pitt Union is on the Pitt campus, one block west of the Carnegie Library in Oakland.