31st Annual Black Ships Festival Gala

Thursday, July 31, 2014

 

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From left to right, Mayor of Newport Harry Winthrop and Mrs. Winthrop, Brigadier General and Mrs. Charles E. Petrarca, Jr., Rear Admiral and Mrs. Gardner Howe, III, President and CEO of Toray Plastics (America), Inc. & Mrs. Michael Brandmeier, Honorary Gala Chairperson Senator M. Teresa Paiva Weed, and President of the Japan-America Society and Mrs. Spencer W. Viner.

The Japan-America Society and Black Ships Festival of Rhode Island hosted the Annual Black Ships Gala on Saturday, July 19th at Marble House on Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI. 

Black Ships Gala

The event was a fusion of Japanese and American culture. Attendees enjoyed wine by Oyster Bay and music was provided by Koto musician Ms. Sumie Kaneko.

This evening also included dancing to music by Night Life Orchestra, a American Harvest Martini Bar, Signature Drinks by the Cocktail Guru, and Gekkeikan Sake.  Sushi was provided by Haruki and Asian inspired American food by Russell Morin Fine Catering. 

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The annual live auction was a success with the Japan America Society of RI donating 100% of the proceeds to The Yamada Jr. High School in Japan.

Ceremonial Sake Drum

The breaking of the Ceremonial Sake Drum was one of the many highlights of the evening. This is a tradition in which the Gala host and invited dignitaries use a wooden mallet to crack the cover of the drum, and then all Gala guests are invited to sample the sake from Gekkeikan Sake.  Rear Admiral Gardner Howe and Deputy Consul General Watanabe made special toasts to the country of Japan and the United States of America.

The evening’s honorary Gala chair, Senator M. Teresa Paiva Weed was honored and recognized during the event. The Gala committee co-chairs were Ms. Barbara Peters of Newport and Dr. Anthony Regine of Middletown.  The Japan-America Society and Black Ships Festival of Rhode Island, Inc. is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization that offers educational, cultural and business programs to strengthen the American-Japan relations and international goodwill to the general public through awareness projects and special events. The Black Ships Festival Gala is one of their Annual fundraisers. 

For more information visit here or call 401-846-2720.

 

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