The Gala
August 15th
6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
The Black Ships Festival and Toray Plastics (America), Inc., present a glamorous seaside evening at Ochre Court by Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island. Ochre Court, owned by Salve Regina University, is a Newport landmark. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the architect familiar to any visitor at the Breakers and the Marble House, and built in 1892, Ochre Court offers a dramatic view of Easton's Bay over the Cliff Walk. The villa features in True Lies (1994) and The Gilded Age (2025).
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Enjoy all the elegance Newport has to offer at an evening with a Japanese flair:
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A silent auction;
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Dancing in the main hall;
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Ceremonial breaking of a sake drum filled with Gekkeikan Sake;
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Open bar by Cocktail Guru featuring wines by Shaw-Ross International Importers;
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Sushi by Haruki Japanese Sushi;
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A Taiko drumming performance on the oceanfront lawn by Odaiko New England;
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A superb formal dinner by Heritage Hospitality.
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After dessert, all gala attendees are invited to participate in our live auction. In 2025, the banner items were an Alpina wristwatch given by Grenon's of Newport and an original print by Joichi Hoshi, given by longtime board member Betty-Jane Owen.
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The Black Ships Festival thanks everyone who makes this gala possible.
$200 per person | 21 and older for bar
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Black Tie Optional | Kimonos Welcome​​​
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