Hanami After Dark April 1, 2012

A part of the official 2012 Cherry Blossom Festival, the Washington, DC International Wine & Food Festival is proud to partner with Trade Center Management Associates (TCMA), The Wine Cooperative, Oga's and the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center to present Hanami After Dark on April 1st from 5 to 8 PM. The evening reception will include traditional Japanese ceremonies, sushi, sake, wine and shochu an indigenous alcoholic beverage from Japan, along with an exceptional display of artwork provided by Art Party Japan. Hanami After Darkwill benefit TOMODACHI, an initiative led by the U.S.-Japan Council in our ongoing effort to support Japan's recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.



The celebration will be centered around an oversized sushi bar serving made-to-order sushi prepared by a number of leading chefs from Boston, New York, and DC coupled with hors d'oeuvres presented by Chef Xavier DeShayes of the Ronald Reagan Building. There will be wines and spirits from around the world, including Japanese sake, shochu and Iichiko Shochu. Chef Toru Oga, of Oga's Japanese Cuisine in Boston, will be performing a Maguro Kaitai ceremony, a traditional ritual of breaking down an entire 150-pound tuna for sushi.



This year Art Party Japan will be displaying and auctioning donated artwork featuring artists from Disney, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon and many others. The art will be on display during the Hanami After Dark evening reception and will continue to be displayed from April 2 through April 27, 2012 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Tickets cost $175 for adults and $65 for seniors and children.