Cherry Blossom Festival - Washington, D.C. (part 2)

While the cherry blossoms themselves can be very unpredictable (blooming anywhere from early March to late April depending on weather), the National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place each year during the first two weeks of April.

The lantern lighting festival which takes place where
the earliest cherry trees from Japan were planted.

cherry blossoms are found all around the perimeter of the Tidal Basin

There are also various concerts and exhibitions during the festival such as this kenjutsu demonstration below.

cutting bamboo

demonstrating with wooden swords

demonstrating with real swords

Cherry Blossom Festival - Washington, D.C. (part 1)

Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival
The Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival is a an outdoor festival featuring music, food and various merchandise vendors around the Waterfront area in Southwest DC, concluding with fireworks at night.

sunset at the Waterfront

Ninja Restaurant in New York City

A ninja themed restaurant in the TriBeCa neighborhood where the waiters are dressed in ninja attire and perform various displays and tricks while serving food.

The food itself was pretty mediocre, sushi rolls were barely holding together and the steak didn't have much flavor.  Of course, with themed restaurants like this, most of the quality comes from the service. The waiters were very friendly and entertaining. Strictly speaking, they weren't exactly ninja-like, but they kept things lively. The restaurant also featured an in-house magician who went from table to table.
Oh, and there's fire. Lots of fire.

fire

getting a little worried there

more fire