Japan Night

Fri., March 4, 5 p.m., free with $16 admission, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Ben Franklin Parkway, 215-763-8100, philamuseum.org.

by Massimo Pulcini

[ festival kickoff ]

If you're desperate for the refreshing sights and sounds of spring, head straight for Japan Night at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This opening event of the five-week-long Cherry Blossom Festival is part of the museum's Art After 5 series, this time featuring guided gallery tours, cocktails, table service and live performances by Me & Mars, a trio of Japanese musicians who use effects-driven guitars to showcase their wide variety of influences — from space rock to punk, funk and reggae. That's kind of what spring sounds like, right?

Fri., March 4, 5 p.m., free with $16 admission, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Ben Franklin Parkway, 215-763-8100, philamuseum.org.