Black Ships Festival Gala Honors International Friendship

Pierre & Margo Merle with Thomas Ortolano

White dinner jackets were seen on the Newport scene (at last!) at the internationally attended Black Ships Gala, a highlight of the celebration of the Japan-America Society and Black Ships Festival of R.I., now in its 27th year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan honored the Society with a prestigious acknowledgment the Society’s dedication to developing understanding educational and economic ties between the citizens of Rhode Island and Japan. The citation itself was presented by the Honorable Keizo Obuchi, former Prime Minister of Japan at the Gala, and attended by Governor Donald Carcieri, Spencer Viner, President of the Japan-America Society of Rhode Island, Sergei Kruschev, Consul General Masaru Tsuji, Michael Brandmeire, and Richard Bready.

Elise Moreau, Andy Andreoni & Lillian Reich

The lawns of Rosecliff hosted a stirring Taiko Drums exhibition, and presentations were made to Honorary Gala chairman Rick Bready, Chairman of the Board of Roger Williams University, Mike Renzi, Music Director of Sesame Street, Rear Admiral James Wisecup, Major General Robert T. Bray, The Honorable Naoki Ishii, and Mr. Sohiko Yamada, as sushi and Japanese hors d’oeuvres were prepared for guests. A silent auction of Japanese-themed items incited great interest. Serving as Gala co-chairs were Anthony Regine and Linda Andreoni.

The 250 guests repaired to a seated dinner in the grand ballroom, and danced to the strains of the Nightlife Big Band. Seen by Newport Seen were Bruce and Lois Lang, Ron Turgeon, 2nd V.P. of the Japan-America Society, Dr. Bruce Campbell of the Board of Directors of the society, and other officers.

Jennifer Butler, Captain Ahern & Mikki Micarelli

And who hasn’t always wanted to break a drum filled with Sake? That was done by Governor Carcierei, Major General Bray, Consul General Tsuii, Mr. Osada, Mr. Brandmeire, Mr Bready, Mr. Yamada, Mr. Viner, President of the Japan- America Society of RI, Mayor Napolitano, and Mayor Ishi. Quite the ceremony, and nary a splash.

The Black Ships Festival itself offered a variety of events over four days, celebrating Japanese art and culture: the formal Gala, Japanese Arts & Crafts (such as Origami and Ikebana;) Martial Arts, a Japanese Tea Ceremony, and an exhibition in the park of all thngs Japanese.

JAS RI President Spencer Viner speaks

MC Steve Aveson looks on

The Festival actually commemorates the historic achievements of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, USN, of Newport, Rhode Island. The “Black Ships,” or “Kurofune,” refers to the Japanese term for foreign ships, which, with one exception, were excluded from Japan for two hundred years until 1854, when Commodore Perry negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa. This year marked the 52nd anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Newport and Shimoda, Japan, as well.