we're afloat!!
We just put the ship in the water after 3 weeks on the blocks in dry dock. Even the engineers were saying how 'it just feels right' having water under the keel. There was a 1 degree list - and although that doesn't seem like much - we are sensitive to it enough that crew were asking when I was going to trim the ship.
So... last weekend I go to this little hole-in-the-wall corner showbox. There was a little stage, no seats, a small balcony. By the posters around, they host all sorts of bands, from punk to classical. I get there, there are about 40 people total, and I'm the only non-Japanese. (Lots of looks - are you sure this is where you meant to be?)I met up with the gal I talked to that was playing drums at the park the previous weekend. My motto this week is 'see what happens when you talk to strangers'
A local group opened - guitar, african drum, singing - folkish. Then the main band from Tokyo- this is a no shitter - african drum, cambodian single string bow, japanese traditional 3 string guitar-like, modern electric bass guitar, and a didgeridoo. And that guy was on the taller side of Japanese, sunglasses, leather pants, playing the didgeridoo. At least two guys in the crowd/working there had dread locks. Now - in the states, thats no big deal - but given all the preconceived notions of Japanese - it was great to see. Birkenstocks, long skirts, dress work clothes.
And they were jamming - not meditative, sit and stare at the candle-wick music, but full on fast arrangements (yes - I bought several CD's). Then another non-Japanese walked in. He's been here 3 years teaching English, from Vancouver, BC, dating friend of gal I met. He translated alittle for me (I was fine not knowing what was being said - part of the adventure) but we did talk about what a cultural experience it was.
At the end - all people who played get up on the stage and jam together. There were a good number of people dancing, and then a small guy, in white shirt-black pants work clothes took off his glasses and work bag, and did hard core break-dancing.
It was the most diverse croud I've been around for a long time (since I've been home :)
Even the Japanese in the crowd had never seen their traditional instrument played that way - they were loving it.
Maybe more music next weekend :)
and a hike:)
and GET UNDERWAY !!!!
So... last weekend I go to this little hole-in-the-wall corner showbox. There was a little stage, no seats, a small balcony. By the posters around, they host all sorts of bands, from punk to classical. I get there, there are about 40 people total, and I'm the only non-Japanese. (Lots of looks - are you sure this is where you meant to be?)I met up with the gal I talked to that was playing drums at the park the previous weekend. My motto this week is 'see what happens when you talk to strangers'
A local group opened - guitar, african drum, singing - folkish. Then the main band from Tokyo- this is a no shitter - african drum, cambodian single string bow, japanese traditional 3 string guitar-like, modern electric bass guitar, and a didgeridoo. And that guy was on the taller side of Japanese, sunglasses, leather pants, playing the didgeridoo. At least two guys in the crowd/working there had dread locks. Now - in the states, thats no big deal - but given all the preconceived notions of Japanese - it was great to see. Birkenstocks, long skirts, dress work clothes.
And they were jamming - not meditative, sit and stare at the candle-wick music, but full on fast arrangements (yes - I bought several CD's). Then another non-Japanese walked in. He's been here 3 years teaching English, from Vancouver, BC, dating friend of gal I met. He translated alittle for me (I was fine not knowing what was being said - part of the adventure) but we did talk about what a cultural experience it was.
At the end - all people who played get up on the stage and jam together. There were a good number of people dancing, and then a small guy, in white shirt-black pants work clothes took off his glasses and work bag, and did hard core break-dancing.
It was the most diverse croud I've been around for a long time (since I've been home :)
Even the Japanese in the crowd had never seen their traditional instrument played that way - they were loving it.
Maybe more music next weekend :)
and a hike:)
and GET UNDERWAY !!!!