Topic: Garden
Cultural News October 2006
Descanso’s Japanese Garden (Courtesy of Descanso Gardens)
Rich autumn colors, traditional dance and music, a dazzling display of chrysanthemums and koi swimming in tranquil waters will set the mood for Descanso Gardens’ elegant Japanese Garden Festival Nov. 4 and 5 at La Cañada Flintridge near Los Angeles .
The weekend will be filled with music and art paying homage to the graceful, indelible mark Japanese-American culture has made to this area and, in particular, to Descanso Gardens.
Each day visitors will marvel at the beauty and variety of the traditional autumn flower, the chrysanthemum, during an exhibit from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Van de Kamp Hall. Extraordinary flowers will be displayed and sold by the Descanso Chrysanthemum Society.
Also on both days, traditional tea services will be demonstrated by students and instructor from the Urasenki Tradition of Tea. The fee is $2 per person and first-come, first-served registration will begin at 9 a.m. each morning at the Minka in the Japanese Garden. Indoor tea times will be at 10, 10:40 and 11:20 a.m. and at noon at the Minka.
Unless rain falls, outdoor tea times will be at 10, 10:40 and 11:20 a.m.
In addition to the tea demonstrations, the Full Moon Tea House will offer a la carte service from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, a sit-down, Full Moon Tea Service will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. for $16.50 per person. Reservations for the sit-down tea service should be made in advance by calling (818) 790-3663.
On Saturday, Nov. 4, experts will focus the “Spotlight on Mums” at Magnolia Lawn, with tips and ideas on how to select, care for and grow these beautiful plants. And a special origami workshop, offered by members of the OSULA’s Japanese Language and Culture Program, will be presented from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Main Lawn.
The musical contrast between the power and grace of Japan will fill the Under the Oaks Theater during the weekend.
Stirring taiko drummers of Kishin Diako will perform at from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and will invite the audience to try a hand at drummimg and take photos from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
On Sunday, costumed members of Madam Fujima Kansuma’s renowned Japanese dance troupe will take to the stage from 2 to 2:30 p.m. for a narrated performance of traditional dance. On both days non-traditional tea and cookies will be available at the Japanese Garden Teahouse.
Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, near the interchange of the #2 and #210 freeways. The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Parking is free. Admission fees are $7 for adults; $5 for seniors and students; $2 for children 5 to 12, and free for members and children 5 and younger. Fees for classes and programs include Gardens admission. For information call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.DescansoGardens.org. Descanso Gardens is accredited by the American Association of Museums.
