Meta blossoms
courtesy of Pianoman75

While the peak bloom time of the area cherry blossoms has passed, the Centennial Celebration hasn’t! Officially kicked off last night, the National Cherry Blossom Festival begins in earnest this week.

Here are some of the highlight events happening over the next several days; many exhibitions and events are ongoing through the spring.

courtesy of Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie

“Timeless” – Ron Blunt Photography

Open through April 20 at the Fathom Gallery, “Timeless” is an exhibit celebrating the ten decades of beauty given to this area by the cherry trees. The exhibit showcases several of Ron’s images of the Tidal Basin and the blossoms on a large scale, using modern printing techniques and material such as wood, metal, fabric, acrylic, and more. The photographer will be present on April 7 and 14 from noon to 3 pm. The Fathom Gallery is located at 1333 14th Street, NW and the exhibition is free.

Sakura: Cherry Blossoms as Living Symbols of Friendship

A free exhibition at the Library of Congress, Sakura gives visitors an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Japanese cultural, intellectual, and social life. The collection spotlights the story of the gifted trees, their historical significance to Japan, and their continuing resonance among Washington culture. Collection highlights include watercolors, Japanese woodblock prints, and an array of photographs, posters, and cartoons.

Struggling Cities: from Japanese Urban Projects in the 1960s

This international traveling exhibition examines Japanese architecture and the city. Using architectural scale models, photographs, and slides, the exhibition dissects the circumstances of Japanese urbanism and that of other cities through the present day, identifying distinctive aspects that are manifested in present-day Tokyo. The exhibition, which closes on Saturday, March 31, is co-hosted by The Catholic University of America (CUA) School of Architecture and Planning and the Embassy of Japan.

Glorious Gardens Self-Guided Tour

Three estate gardens in nearby Fairfax, Virginia, have opened their gates to the public to present their ornamental display gardens, unique native plant collections, greenhouses, and more. Open through the end of April, these locations are perfect for home gardening enthusiasts, photographers, horticulturalists, and for those simply looking to escape the people-clogged streets of downtown Washington. Both Green Spring and River Farm are free; Meadowlark charges a small fee.

For a complete listing of events, visit the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s website.

Ben H. Rome

Having lived in the DC area for ten years, Ben still loves to wander the city with his wife, shooting lots of photos and exploring all the latest exhibits and galleries. A certified hockey fanatic, he spends some time debating the Washington Capitals club with friends – but everyone knows of his three decade love affair with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A professional writer, gamer, photographer, and Lego enthusiast, Ben remains captivated by DC and doesn’t plan on leaving any time soon.