Tokyo Nights
Life In Tokyo - Neil Stalnaker
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Pink Cow

The Pink Cow - Shibuya
http://www.thepinkcow.com
Location:
1-3-18 Shibuya
Shibuya, Japan


Sun., June 14th - FLO Union & Art Party
Please welcome June artist: Yukiko Tamura:
A collection of random experimental collages exploring a variety of
themes

Natsumi Suzuki:
Art which portrays the cutely wild delusions of girls

Also featuring Daniel Edwards, playing a live
acoustic set and music being provided by DJ Shintaro
spinning the tunes.

Rob Holbrook

Enter the mind of the 5-year old caveman. An incomprehensible collection of collages and mixed media using juxtaposed images from recent travels to, and life in, several countries.

From 5pm – NO CHARGE!

FLO Union media lounge, a chilled-out gathering of video artists, Vjs, Djs, animators, filmakers, live music, artists, projection & performers.
To perform, present, show work, enjoy and meet new people or just join our mailing list, then
Mail to: flounion@gmail.com

From 8:30pm – NO CHARGE!

Tues., June 23rd – Pink Cow Film Club Night!
We are having a film night at the Cow, open to anyone who wants to join, either as a filmmaker, people interested in other areas of the industry or just folks that enjoy film:) We want to have a fun party, watch some films, listen to some music, eat some food, drink some drinks and let everyone network and discuss upcoming projects. cowmail@thepinkcow.com

FILM NIGHT 6/09
Featuring DJ Acaci – Spinnin’ Groovin’ Tunes to Entertain You!

The Directors will be available for a Q&A

Director: Riichiro Mashima
Story: Riichiro Mashima
Animation: Riichiro Mashima

From the creators of “Ski Jumping Pairs”
Chronology:
(2003) 7th Japan Media Arts Festival, Excellence Prize
(2005) Tokyo International Film Festival Special Award Winner

New Annimation: Onlympic
23日のフィルムパーティーに真島監督の作品が出品出来るようになりました。
彼が総監督をした『東京Onlypic』という作品で、その中の一つ『男子親離れ』です。
作品サイトは
http://www.onlypic.org/
『男子親離れ』の予告編は
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIpITnn1_A4&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eonlypic%2Eorg%2Fsports%2Fmashima%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded

英語字幕版を探してくれるそうです。

DVDは、当日持っていくのでいいですか?
他に、必要なインフォメーションがあったら言って下さい。
監督本人も、いまのところ参加出来そうです。
15min.

REAL GEISHA REAL WOMEN
Documentary. Running time: 53 minutes
Producer / Director: Peter MacIntosh/Director of Photography / Editor: John Wells

Japanese with English subtitles

CONTACT INFORMATION

website: http://realgeisharealwomen.com
email: info@realgeisharealwomen.com

ABOUT THE FILM
Real Geisha Real Women is a documentary by Peter MacIntosh about the lives of several women in Kyoto, Japan of various generations who are, or have been maiko and geiko (the Kyoto terms for geisha). Their stories are told in their own words as a series of vignettes without the use of a narrator. Rare footage of their journeys outside of Kyoto includes a hometown visit, a trip to Tokyo, as well as travels abroad.

Real Geisha Real Womenは、ピーター・マッキントッシュによるドキュメンタリー
である。さまざまな世代の、現役あるいは引退した舞妓や芸妓の女性たちの物語。それらが、ナレーターではなく、彼女たち自身によって語られてゆく。生まれ故郷を舞妓と訪ねたり、東京、あるいは海外への旅の様子など、普段の京都のお座敷だけでは見られない光景も描かれている。

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Peter Macintosh has lived in Kyoto Japan among the geisha community for more than 15 years. He has worked as a liasion and coordinator of Geisha or Japan related documentaries including productions for BBC, BNN, Swiss Television, National Geographic, A&E, and many more.

ピーター・マッキントッシュは京都の花街に15年以上住んでいる。芸者や日本に関するドキュメンタリーのコーディネーターや架け橋としてBBC放送、スイステレビジョン、ナショナルジオグラフィックを始め、数々のテレビ番組制作に携わっている。

Easy Separation
DV-Mini 30min/ 2006 Germany. Ger. with Engl. Subtitles.

Director: Ehi Ishii
Camera: Marc Lontzek
Main Cast: Kathrin Osterode, Beat Wittwer
Supporting Cast: Elke Pusl, Rahel Woelfle, Pia Pal

The Story:

A relationship-crisis begins, when the girl tries to gain back her simple reality, when the man tries to regain his illusion. After all: which of both realities contains the more important truth about their relationship? It is a play about one of today’s common love-situation treated in a slightly black-humored version.

From 7pm – NO CHARGE! Come early for dinner and the best seats!

Fri., June 26th – Film Night Special Event!
Join us for a very special screening of award
winning Indo-Canadian Director /Producer Anand Ramayya`s latest
Docu-Drama "Mad Cow,Sacred Cow" www.karmafilm.ca with live music by
Bhang Lassi www.mypace.com/bhanglassi 2,500 W/1drink
Screening 8:30-9-30pm followed by Bhang Lassi Live 10-11pm

2,500yen W/1drink entry
ala carte menu available to order at the bar

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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Presenting
pianist Tim Lyddon
live in concert
at the Red Pepper
8 and 9.30pm
Shimbashi,Tokyo
Thursday, June 11, 2009


Bb jazz club
w trio june 14
Akasaka
2000 yen cover
sit-ins welcome on the second set

http://www.pianojazz.net
http://www.myspace.com/timlyddon

Pianist Tim Lyddon is making his debut in the Tokyo area. From the US, Tim has played at many jazz clubs in NYC including Birdland and Sweet Basil. He has also performed in Losangeles, Phoenix, Houston, Pennsylvania, new Jersey and Las Vegas. 2 Cds have been produced-Ive Traveled So Far and Shades of People. Both have been well received in the Tokyo area.

" He's armed with a slightly irreverent sense of humor that is sprinkled throughout Shades of People. It's safe to say Lyddon never met a
motif he could'nt weave into the fabric of an intro. He does it on all six standards and each is a delight.
JAZZ TIMES

"The Leonard Berstein ballad "Somewhere" is given an exquisite trio treatment with the band members acting in empathic unison. Chalk up another superb trio recording from Tim Lyddon. He makes it a pleasure to listen to jazz music."
ALL ABOUT JAZZ C. Michael Bailey

" Not since Keith Jarrett's powerful rendition on "Tribute" have I experienced such fire in a performance as "All The Things You Are"
WBGO's20Daniel Karcher
"
I've Traveled So Far is the best jazz piano trio recording in recent years. It's different from everything else." -- WBGO's Daniel Karcher.

"Tim's improvisations show the depth of an exceptionally mature musician." -- JAKI BYARD

Red Pepper info:
http://www31.ocn.ne.jp/~redpepper/
8pm&9pm 30min 2stage
3-22-5 shinbashi minatoku tokyo
Kiku building 3F
REDPEPPER
03-3433-2318

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Saturday, June 06, 2009
SALSA WITHOUT BORDERS at CAFÉ y LIBROS

SALSA WITHOUT BORDERS at CAFÉ y LIBROS

ARTISTS WITHOUT BORDERS` fundraising event is back

with Japanese dancers NAO & MASA!

A salsa lesson and performance

DJ: GABO (Colombia)

Saturday JUNE 27th

Time: 6:30 pm ~ 11:00 pm

Reserved: 2,500 yen (until June 26th)

Door: Yen 3,000

Tickets include: a drink, an empanada, a salsa lesson (7:007:30 pm), a performance and all-you-can-dance!

All proceeds support the humanitarian cause of ARTISTS WITHOUT BORDERS (http://www.artwit.org). ARTISTS WITHOUT BORDERS has carried out missions in Kosovo, East Timor, Chechnya, Abkhazia, Georgia, ex-Yugoslavia, New York and Afghanistan.

Reservations: info@cafeylibros.com

CAFÉ y LIBROS
Tokyo 141-0021 Shinagawa-ku Kami-Osaki 2-20-4
Tel: 03-6228-0234
Fax: 03-3491-4460

www.cafeylibros.com

SALSA WITHOUT BORDERS at CAFÉ y LIBROS

627()に行う「国境なきアーティストたち」のファンドレーシング・イベントを紹介させていただきます。

 どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

エクトル シエラ

「国境なきアーティストたち」ファンドレーシング・イベントが復活しました!

「国境なきサルサ!at カフェ・イ・リブロス

627()

DJ: GABO (コロンビア)

NAO & MASAによる

レッスンやパフォーマンス

午後: 18:30時~23:00
場所: CAFÉ y LIBROS 141-0021 東京都品川区上大崎2-20-4 1F
会費: 前売り2.500円(26日まで

当日3.000 レッスン (19:0019:30)+1ドリンク+エンパナダ


詳しくは: www.cafeylibros.com

地図: http://www.cafeylibros.com/web/jp/index.htm

ご予約: info@cafeylibros.com

お待ちしております

「国境なきアーティストたち」(http://www.artwit.org)はアーティストたちによる人道支援組織で、これまでに、コソボ、東ティモール、グルジア、アブハジア、チェチェン、ニューヨーク、アフガニスタン等で難民の子どもたちや戦争の被害を受けた子どもたちなどへ芸術を通じた心のケア活動を行ってきました。

CAFÉ y LIBROS
141-0021 東京都品川区上大崎2-20-4 1F
Tel: 03-6228-0234
Fax: 03-3491-4460

www.cafeylibros.com


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AITEN & related Events - June 2009

A lot of events this coming weekend, but the
weekend after there is only one thing to
focus on - the AITEN gig Sunday 14th June
at What the Dickens. Please forward the
announcement to friends (email, Facebook,
Mixi, etc.), download the poster from our
website for notice boards, make it a
priority and attend. Also if you'd like
to volunteer to help in some way and can't
make our June 10 meeting, please email
us: info@aiten.org.
Thanks for your support! See you there!

Wednesday, June 10th - AITEN monthly meeting
- AI Japan office Presentation on Burma.
Planning upcoming events. Starts 7:30
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Sunday, June 14th AITEN Benefit Concert
"Rock for Human Rights in Myanmar"
What the Dickens, Ebisu. You know what to
expect - a great night out with live music,
raffle (DVD player top prize), a chance to do
something for the people of Myanmar/Burma, etc.
For details, see www.aiten.org
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Sunday, June 28th AITEN movie night -
Heaven's Door Shimokitazawa
"War/Dance" from 5 pm
See www.aiten.org for details.
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Sunday, June 28, 2009 Movie night in Kamakura
500 yen (at the door)
"Taxi to the Dark Side" from 6:30pm
Shogai Gakushu Center (3 mins walk from main
(east) JR exit)
Sponsor: Amnesty International Japan Kamakura group
Contact: 0468-24-8683 (Clara Birnbaum)

Taxi to the Dark Side
(English with Japanese subtitles)
Academy Award `08 for documentary
The truth behind Bagram Air Base, Abu Ghraib, and
Guantanamo Bay

December 1, 2002, Afghanistan - An innocent
taxi driver, Dilawar, carrying 3 passengers, was
stopped by US forces and taken to Bagram
Air Base. Held in extrajudicial detention and
brutally beaten to make
him confess to false charges, he died 5 days later.

Centering on the case of Dilawar, Taxi to the
Dark Side examines American policy and practice
on torture and interrogation. Through news footage,
photos, and interviews with top brass in the Bush
administration, interrogators, lawyers, and even
a former detainee, a story unfolds of extreme
abuse and misuse of authority...

============================================
Non - AITEN

Saturday June 6th Rhythm & Hope

From William Nealy :
This is to let you know and get you excited
about Refugee International Japan's Rhythm &
Hope event on June 6 in Tokyo! It's going
to be a lot of fun with music, film, fashion,
education and all
for an excellent cause!

* Sat. June 6, 2009
* 1pm- 9pm
* Takeshiba New Pier Hall, Tokyo
* Admission: ¥3,500 (or ¥3,000 from
me if you let me know soon!)
* Celebrating 30 years of Refugees
International Japan
* Musical presentations, ongoing workshops,
film screenings, fashion show, themed
multi-media exhibitions and African food booths.

Rhythm & Hope website:
http://www.rijrhythmandhope.org

(Even if you are not interested in the event,
check out the website!)
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Fri/Sat/Sun June 5/6/7 Hatagaya, Tokyo.
Stage Play: "Honiefaith" When a Filipino hostess'
dismembered body is discovered in a Tokyo
coin locker, Manila newspaper reporter
Victor Balmori is dispatched to Japan. Balmori
is looking for a story,
he finds a nightmare...(Written by long-time
Tokyoite Monty DiPietro)
http://www.tokyoplayers.org/?lang=1&page=58&mode=detail&event=14
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Tues /Weds June 12/13 Shinjuku.
Stage Play: "The Crossroads
Country"
Tickets 5,000 yen
...about the past 30 years of Afghan history.
Commissioned by the Embassy of Aghanistan

http://www.crossroadscountry.com
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May 29-June 20
EU Film Days National Museum of Modern Art, Kyobashi

Bringing the best of European Cinema to Tokyo.
Just 500 yen per screening.
http://www.eufilmdays.jp/index_eng.html# (English)
http://www.eufilmdays.jp/ (Japanese)
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--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
----------------------
Amnesty International Tokyo English Network (AITEN)
http://www.aiten.org

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June 10-25, 2009

"BEAUTY & LIGHT" ~ A joint photograph exhibition by Morgan Fisher and Pascal d'Aboyer

Superdeluxe, Nishi-Azabu

Featuring abstract Light Paintings by Morgan Fisher, and studies of the female form by Pascal d'Aboyer. For further information and images, a pdf file (four pages - the first page is in Japanese) can be viewed and downloaded here:

http://www.morgan-fisher.com/beauty+light.pdf

Every evening from June 10 to 25. For opening hours and more details, please visit http://www.super-deluxe.com

€ On the opening night (June 10 from 7.00pm), Morgan will play a solo concert at 8.30pm. Admission free.

€ On the closing night, June 25, Morgan Fisher will perform the 62nd solo improvisation concert in his Morgan's Organ series. Admission free by reservation (see below).

€ Please note: Morgan's Organ is on the 4th Thursday this month.
For those who reserve (by 6pm on the day before the concert) entry is FREE.
Reserve here: http://www.super-deluxe.com/2009/6/25/morgans-organ24/
(You may need to click the language button in the top-right corner to see this page in English)
For those without reservations, entry costs just 1000 yen.
All who come are entitled to a free mp3 download from Morgan's archive.

Open: 7.00pm. Showtimes: 7:30pm & 9.30pm
SUPERDELUXE, 3-1-25 Nishi Azabu BIF, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031
Tel: 03-5412-0515
Website & map: http://www.super-deluxe.com
More information here: http://www.morgan-fisher.com/live.html

MORGAN'S ORGAN ON SALE
The first five Morgan's Organ live albums are now on sale as downloads at iTunes, Amazon.com and other vendors.
Long excerpts may be heard here: http://www.myspace.com/morgansorganmusic
More information here: http://www.morgan-fisher.com/news.html

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Thursday, November 27, 2008
http://blog.gmap.jp/archives/989
COLORS@HILLSIDE FORUM
A special art exhibition/party event for international people at Hillside Forum in Daikanyama. 40 creators will come together to bring ART that anybody can freely and casually enjoy. Visitors will also have chance to winartworks, goods, and products.

Date: 2008/11/26 (wed) - 11/30 (sun)
Time: 10:00 - 19:00 (Last day & 29th until 17:00/Enter until 30min before close)
Where: Daikanyma Hillside Terrace Hillside Forum (F) Building
Admission: Free

Organized by Giant Mango
www.giantmango.com
(websited mainly in japanese)

Help by Art Obsession Inc.
www.art-obsession.com

Participating Creators:
ACE/AYUMI/cocomats1。/kennji/MARYCO/mori2/RIE/SHANTI/33STRIKE/Akihiro/Nao Asami/Yuji Ashikawa/Masako Ando/Yuki Ishiyama/Ayumi Uemi/Mushroomroom/Touko Okamura/Hidehiro Ueoka/Toyohisa Kanno/Satoru Kuboyama/Komi/Azusa Komoda/Satsuki/Savako/Hiroko Sato/Yusuke Sato/Tomoko Shimura/Takako Susai/Seien/Ryohei Tanaka/Chiharu Tsurumi/Kaori Nakanishi/Jun Nara/Akiko Fukunaga/Kanako Fujita/Masayoshi Mizuho/Shin Yanagisawa/Akira Yamaguchi/Eko Yamaji/Mamoru Yamamoto

Participating Performers:
Akutsu Yasunaga 3/Yam Yam/Dance Company “Nenemu”/Seema

COLORS Awards:Gold: 100,000yen to 1 person
Silver: 80,000yen to 1 person
Bronze: 60,000yen to 1 person
Special: free entry to the next art exhibition/party event
(Visitors will vote for their favorite creators)

COLORS Party:
(RSVP before 11/28/2008, please email name & email address to below contact)
Date: 2008/11/29 (sat)
Time: 18:00 - 21:00
Charge: 4,000yen
Summary:Music, Dance, Live Paint Performance
Catering by Hillside Pantry Daikanyama   
Contact:info@giantmango.com
090-5504-6580

Rainbow Family Art Day:Collaboration:Rainbow International Montessori School
Date: 2008/11/30 (sun)
Time: 12:00 - 14:00
Summary:Family Art Event
Kids below elementary school will have chance to win art goods
Location:


http://blog.gmap.jp/archives/990


COLORS@HILLSIDE FORUM: 11月26日(水)〜11月30(日)

November 26, 2008 10:00 amtoNovember 30, 2008 7:00 pm


COLORS@HILLSIDE FORUM
気鋭のクリエイターたちが代官山に集合!誰もが自由に、身近に楽しめるスペシャルな来場者参加型アート展覧会&パーティーイベント。ご来場者様にはアート作品や商品/グッズを抽選でプレゼント。

Date: 2008年11月26日(水)〜11月30日(日)
Time: 午前10時〜午後7時(最終日は午後5時まで/入場は閉場時間の30分前まで)
*11月29日(土)はパーティーのため午後5時閉場
Where: ヒルサイドフォーラム 
入場無料 

主催:ジャイアントマンゴー 
www.giantmango.com

協力:(株)アートオブセッションwww.art-obsession.com

参加クリエイター:
ACE/AYUMI/cocomats1。/kennji/MARYCO/mori2/RIE/SHANTI/33STRIKE/
あきひろ/アサミナオ/芦川雄二/安藤雅子/石山裕記/うえみあゆみ/mushroomroom/
岡村透子/上岡秀拓/管野豊久/くぼやまさとる/こみ/薦田梓/沙月/サバコ/
佐藤広子/佐藤祐輔/志村朋子/スサイタカコ/青娟/田中良平/鶴見千春/
ナカニシカオリ/奈良じゅん/福永明子/ふじたかなこ/水穂真善/柳沢新/
ヤマグチアキラ/山路絵子/山本まもる

参加パフォーマー:
阿久津安永3/Yam Yam/ダンスカンパニー「ねねむ」/Seema

会期中イベントのご案内COLORS Awards:
金賞:10万円×1名
銀賞: 8万円×1名
銅賞: 6万円×2名
特別賞:次回アート展覧会/イベントに招待展示×1名
(各賞は一般投票で選出)

COLORS Party:(*前日までに要予約)
日時:11月29日(土)午後6時〜午後9時
参加費:4000円
内容:音楽、ダンスなどのライブパフォーマンス
   ヒルサイドパントリー代官山によるケータリング
お問い合わせ先:info@giantmango.com
090-5504-6580

Rainbow Family Art Day:
協賛:Rainbow International Montessori School
日時:11月30日(日)午後12時〜午後2時
内容:家族向けイベント
   小学生以下のお子様にはプレゼント

主催者より価格や評判に左右されることなく、自分の感性のみを頼りに自由に驚き、刺激され、好きな作家や作品を 発見する機会を提供できないだろうか。ファインアート、イラスト、デザインといったジャンルにこだわらず、才能溢れるクリエイターたちの作品を一堂に集 め、子供から大人までが純粋に楽しむことのできる展覧会イベントがもっとあってもいいのではないだろうか。そんな想いを胸に、今回の来場者参加型アート展 覧会&パーティーイベントを企画しました。

40人のクリエイターが、個々のスタイルと魅力的な色使いで織り成すそれぞれの世界。そこであなたはなにを見つけることができるでしょうか。

作品の色、作家の色、あなたの色。
Welcome to “COLORS”.


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Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Wow! Since last week, I've been so busy I haven't had time to do this blog. I can' believe how much it rained in August.

Last week, we (my Quartet) did a gig at Kenny's in Ikebukuro with special guest Seiichi Nakamura.
ああ!先週からとっても忙しく、ブログを書く暇がありませんでした。8月中こんなに雨が降ったなんて信じられない。

先週、私達(私のカルテット)は池袋のケニーズバー(http://www.kennys.jp)で中村誠一氏[photos] http://mixi.jp/view_album.pl?id=20075002&mode=photoをスペシャルゲストに迎えてのライブをしました。これは、洗足学園ミュージックショーケース[photos] http://mixi.jp/view_album.pl?id=20342475&mode=photoの一部として8月28日に行われる表参道でのコンサートに備えるため、スケジュールしたライブでした。これらのライブに向けての準備はとても楽しいものでした。新しい曲も覚えなければならなかったし、ホレス・シルヴァー生涯について勉強したり、バンドリハーサルもちゃんとやりました。実際そんな準備も楽しく、このホレス・シルヴァープロジェクトは今後も続けて行こうかと思っています。






This was a gig that I scheduled to help us get ready for our 8/28 concert in Omotesando as part of the Senzoku Music Showcase [photos] http://mixi.jp/view_album.pl?id=20342475&mode=photo. It was a lot of fun preparing for those gigs. I had to learn a lot of new songs, spent some time reading and studying about Horace Silver's life and rehearsing the band. It was so much fun actually, I think I'm going to keep the Horace Silver Project going. Here some photos of the sound-check at the Kawai Concert Salon in Omotesando, Tokyo.





Recently, I went to Shinjuku Goldengai to one of my favorite places in Tokyo to hang-out. The name of the shop is Nana [photos]http://mixi.jp/view_album.pl?id=20341730&mode=photo. It has a flamenco theme. It's a very small shop with some very unusual interior.
つい最近、新宿ゴールデン街の、集まってわいわいやるのにうってつけの、東京で私が好きな店の一つに行って来ました。名前はNana[photos]http://mixi.jp/view_album.pl?id=20341730&mode=photoといって、テーマはフラメンコ。とっても小さなお店で、内装が一風変わってるんです。





On Saturday 8/30, I spent most of the day walking around Omotesando, Harajuku and Aoyama taking photos, going to art galleries and meeting some really creative and interesting people.
I've heard that Laforet is really a center for creative pop culture in Japan. So, I spent some time walking around the building, looking in shops and noticing what people were wearing and buying.
8月30日の土曜日は、一日の大半を表参道、原宿、青山エリアを歩いて過ごし、写真を撮ったり、美術館に行ったり、クリエイティブな面白い人達と出会ったりしました。
http://mixi.jp/view_album.pl?id=20343108&mode=photo
http://mixi.jp/view_album.pl?id=20343670&mode=photo
http://mixi.jp/view_album.pl?id=20344095&mode=photo
http://mixi.jp/view_album.pl?id=20344861&mode=photo
Yes, that IS a condom shop called CONDOMANIA!!!



Pop culture center Laforet
原宿ラフォーレは日本のポップカルチャーの源だ、と聞いたので、ビルの中を歩き回り、お店を覗き、人々がどんな服を身に付けまた買っているかを観察してみました。




After Laforet, I walked down the street and went into GYRE (http://gyre-omotesando.com/). I can't believe that building. So many beautiful shops, restaurants and galleries. I looked at an exhibition called Ecosophy. Next, I went into the Gallery White Room to see Eikoh Hosoe's (http://www.eikoh-hosoe.jp/index.html) exhibition of beautiful black and white photos. After leaving the gallery, I went to the top floor and was looking at the outside of a restaurant called Ukai-Tei (http://www.omotesando-ukaitei.jp). The staff came out and invited me inside and gave me about a 20 minute tour. I was shocked! It was the nicest restaurant I've ever seen. Of course it's very expensive (about ¥25,000/person) for dinner. I can only hope that someday I will be able to go there for dinner. It is really an incredible place. My time in the GYRE was unbelievably fun and surprising! I LOVE that building!
http://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Japan/Tokyo/Gyre%20Shopping%20Center
http://pingmag.jp/2008/03/12/omotesando-architecture/
ラフォーレの後は、通りを下って、GYRE(http://gyre-omotesando.com/)という建物に入りました。信じられないビルでした。美しいショップやレストランやギャラリーがたくさん入っています。「Ecosophy」という展覧会を観てみました。次に、Gallery White Roomに行き、細江英公(http://www.eikoh-hosoe.jp/index.html)の素晴らしい白黒写真展を鑑賞しました。ギャラリーを出て、最上階に行き、うかい亭(http://www.omotesando-ukaitei.jp)と いうレストランの外側を見ていました。ホールの係の方が出て来て、私を店内に入れてくれて、その上20分程の店内観覧ツアーをしてくれたんです。ものすご いショックでした!今まで見た中で一番素晴しいレストランでした。もちろんディナーのお値段は高い(25000円くらい)ですが。いつの日かそこへディ ナーを食べに行けるよう、ただ祈るばかりです。本当に素晴しい場所です。GYREで過ごしたひとときは、信じられないくらい楽しく、驚きがいっぱいでした。あのビル、大好きです!
http://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Japan/Tokyo/Gyre%20Shopping%20Center
http://pingmag.jp/2008/03/12/omotesando-architecture/












When I left GYRE, I walked around a few back streets of Ometesando, taking pictures of interesting shops and buildings. I was looking for the hpgrp GALLERY TOKYO (http://www.artdiv-hpf.com/tokyo). As I was standing outside in front of the gallery, a young guy walked past and invited me in. After a few minutes I went in and was surprised to find that the guy was RYOONO. It was his exhibition! We had a nice chat for about 30 minutes and he was even kind enough to take a photo with me in front of one his incredible paintings.
http://mixi.jp/view_album_photo.pl?album_id=20344095&number=3155265052&page=1
http://pingmag.jp/2008/08/22/ryoono/
http://ryoono.com/
http://kickslablog.com/blog/kinetics/?eid=16
GYREを出たら、今度は表参道の裏道を何本か歩き、面白そうなショップやビルの写真を撮りました。hpgrp GALLERY TOKYO(http://www.artdiv-hpf.com/tokyo) を探していたんです。そこのギャラリーの外に立っていたら、若い男性が通り、私を中に招いてくれました。中に入ってしばらくして、この男性がRYOONOだったとわかり、ビックリしました。これは彼の展覧会だったんです!30分ほどお話をして、親切にも彼の作品の前で私と写真まで撮ってくださいました。
http://mixi.jp/view_album_photo.pl?album_id=20344095νmber=3155265052&page=1
http://pingmag.jp/2008/08/22/ryoono/
http://ryoono.com/
http://kickslablog.com/blog/kinetics/?eid=16



We had a nice conversation about creativity, art and music, live performance and many other things.
私達は、クリエイティビティや、芸術、音楽、ライブパフォーマンスなどいろいろな事について、楽しく話をしました。

Next, I went to Gallery 360 (http://www.360.co.jp) to see photographer Kyoko Nakashima's (http://www.tagboat.com/store/artworks/en/index.php?artist_id=1355) exhibition. It was nice to have a few minutes to talk with her also. She is very kind. I purchased one of her books of photos and have been enjoying them the past few days. I think she is going to Paris soon to do another exhibition.
次に、Gallery 360(http://www.360.co.jp)に行き、永島京子さん(http://www.tagboat.com/store/artworks/en/index.php?artist_id=1355)という写真家の展覧会を観ました。彼女とも少しお話ができてよかったです。やさしい方でした。彼女の写真のカタログを一冊購入し、ここ何日か眺めて楽しんでいます。彼女はもうすぐパリに行き、別の展覧会を開くとのこと。
Well, by this time, I was getting kind of tired. So, I walked around a little more taking photos until it started to rain really hard. It was so fun and interesting to feed my mind with new and creative things on Saturday. I'll have all week to think about these things, check websites of the artists and the galleries and shops I visited and plan my next day out.
http://www.slide.com/r/f30_u1wm4T8_7DRCHlD-QQ3s3OiwY4PS
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=153972&l=341e5&id=661775626
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http://mixi.jp/view_community.pl?id=1129418
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These are my favorite Japanese magazines (in English).

Most foreigners (and some Japanese) know about Metropolis. It's a FREE magazine that comes out every Friday afternoon. It has lots of info about concerts/clubs/movies/travel/food/bars and many other things.
http://www.metropolis.co.jp/default.asp

Japan, Inc is a great magazine (and many free e-mail newsletters) about the business scene in Japan. However, it's written in English. They tend to focus on new up-and-coming companies.
http://www.japaninc.com/

KEI is just a beautiful magazine about Japanese culture. This is a GREAT magazine. I often buy it and send copies to my Mom and daughter.
http://int.kateigaho.com/main_j/

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Monday, August 11, 2008






Had a great time doing the gig yesterday with bassist Stan Gilbert ( http://www.stangilbert.com ) at Time & Style at Roppongi Midtown. Time & Style (http://www.timeandstyle.com/ja/shop_midtown.html ) has another location in Jiyugaoka. We played there for jazz event producer Marco Mancini (founder or JAZZNIN magazine [ http://www.jazznin.com/ ]) 2 years ago. These locations are really good for playing.

Doing a duo with trumpet and bass can really be a lot of fun. However, it's quite challenging also. We have to really trust each other with the "time" and with "harmony" of each tune. But, Stan has been playing for so many years with great people, it's actually very easy to do a duo gig with him.

Before the gig, I was having a great conversation with Marco about design, new technology's influence on design and creativity and museums in Tokyo. I told him about some of my experiences working with museums in the 1980's in Washington, D.C. After the gig finished and we packed up, I walked outside of Midtown on my way to the subway. In front of Midtown there was a woman passing out flyers about an exhibition at the Laforet Museum Roppongi. She told me that last night and today were the final days of the exhibition/concert. She said if I had some time she could take me to the museum then. So, we got into a taxi and went straight to the museum. That was synchronicity! Serendipity!

What a pleasant surprise! It was an exhibition/concert by Keiko Koma ( http://www.keikokoma.com ) and Idaki Shin (http://www.idaki.co.jp/ ). I can't describe how the feeling was in the room but, it was one of the most creative experiences I've ever had.

http://www.keikokoma.com/
http://www.idaki.co.jp/

At 6pm today (Sunday), I'm going back for the final performance.

On Wednesday, I visited the offices of Tokyo Art Beat. They have a great website ( http://www.tokyoartbeat.com ) which has very detailed information about art exhibitions around Tokyo and Yokohama every month. They also publish the Tokyo Art Map and distribute it for free around Tokyo. It's also available for download at their website ( http://www.tokyoartbeat.com ) and now on my website: http://www.neilstalnaker.com/tokyoartbeat.html

I'm trying to do some watercolors now. I don't really know what I'm doing but, I'm just looking for other avenues of expression. Also, I love pastels and soon want to start using oil paints. I'm just a beginner. I've also been trying to learn Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Designing posters/flyers/cardswebsites and taking photos are passions of mine also.

This has been such a fascinating week beginning with the MusicBiz Nite ( http://www.musicbizjapan.ning.com/ ) at Club 57, Tokyo Art Beat, ONGEN Tokyo ( http://mixi.jp/view_community.pl?id=3463009 ) meeting (new musicians collective organization in Tokyo), SUPER FUN gig with my new SEXTET at Airegin ( http://www.airegin.jp ) in Yokohama, Friday night at Roppongi Hills Club ( http://www.roppongihillsclub.com/visitor/dfw/en/index.html ) with bassist Jeff Curry and guitarist Todd Carver, Time & Style ( http://www.timeandstyle.com/ja/shop_midtown.html ) gig with Stan and the Keiko Koma Exhibition at Laforet Museum Roppongi.

Also, this past week, I re-opened my FACEBOOK page. Do you use FACEBOOK?
Many Japanese are now using FACEBOOK in addition to Mixi and Myspace. If you go to http://www.facebook.com/ and do a search for my name, you will find my FACEBOOK page. Let's be friends! I'm so surprised how many people I have reconnected with back in the USA and Europe in the last 5 days since opening my page again.

My performance schedule is a little slow for the next 10 days but, I'm excited about some new things that will be starting during that time. This week I will get back into classical trumpet playing on Tuesday. I'm having the first rehearsal for my new brass quintet. I'm so excited to do this project! Can't wait! On Wednesday I have a big band rehearsal and hopefully this week I'll be rehearsing my Quintet for a concert of Horace Silver music in Omotesando at the Kawai Piano hall on August 28. Its a joint project between Senzoku College of Music and Kawai. And finally this week, I'm going to start writing music again. It's been many months since I did and new compositions. I'm really looking forward to writing some new music.

昨日は、六本木ミッドタウンのTime & Style というショップでベーシストのStan Gilbert ( http://www.stangilbert.com ) と楽しいライブをしました。このTime & Style (http://www.timeandstyle.com/ja/shop_midtown.html ) には自由が丘にも店舗があります。そちらの店舗でも、ジャズのイベントプロデューサーであるMarco Mancini (JAZZNIN マガジン[ http://www.jazznin.com/ ]の発行者)に頼まれて2年前に演奏したことがあります。どちらも演奏しやすい雰囲気の良い所です。

トランペットとベースのデュオというのは、とても楽しいものにもできますが、と同時に結構大変でもあります。それぞれの曲のリズムとハーモニーにおいて、お互いを心から信頼できないといけません。でもStan はこれまで、あらゆる素晴らしいプレイヤーと仕事をして来たので、彼とのデュオは実際とってもやり易いのです。

ライブの前にMarcoと、デザインについてや、新しいテクノロジーがデザインと創造力にどんな影響を及ぼしたか、そして東京の美術館事情について非常に実のある会話をしました。私がワシントンDCで80年代に美術館で演奏していたことも話しました。ライブが終わって片付けをし、地下鉄に向かってミッドタウンの外に出ると、ミッドタウンの入り口前で、一人の女性がラフォーレミュージアム六本木で開催中の催しのチラシを配っていました。話を聞くと、今日と明日がその展覧会/コンサートの最終日だということ。彼女は、もし時間があるなら今これからそこへ連れて行ってあげるわよ、という。そこで、私達はタクシーに乗り込み、その場所へ直行したのでした。まさにシンクロ!思いがけない幸運!

何という気持ちのよいサプライズでしょう!それは、高麗恵子さん ( http://www.keikokoma.com ) といだきしんさん (http://www.idaki.co.jp/ ) の展覧会/コンサートでした。その場のフィーリングがどんなであったか、口では説明できませんが、私が経験した中でも最もクリエイティヴな経験の一つでした。

http://www.keikokoma.com/
http://www.idaki.co.jp/

今日(日曜日)の6時に再び最後のパフォーマンスを観に行きます。

この前の水曜にTokyo Art Beat の会社を訪ねました。この団体は、素晴らしいホームページ( http://www.tokyoartbeat.com )を作っておられ、東京横浜エリアの詳しい美術展情報を毎月アップしています。またTokyo Art Map という無料刊行物を発行していて、近郊にて無料配布しています。ウェブでダウンロードする事も可能です。この団体のウェブ( http://www.tokyoartbeat.com )か、私のホームページ上(http://www.neilstalnaker.com/tokyoartbeat.html)でもダウンロードできます。

最近水彩画を始めてみようかと思っています。自分が一体何をしたいのかよくわかりませんが、表現をするもう一つの道になると思って。パステルだって好きだし、油彩だってやってみたいと思ってます。完全に初心者ですが。アドビのイラストレーターとフォトショップも勉強しています。ポスターやチラシや名刺やウェブのデザインと写真を撮ることも私の情熱です。

今週は、Club 57 でのMusicBiz Nite ( http://www.musicbizjapan.ning.com/ )に始まり、Tokyo Art Beat 、音源東京 ( http://mixi.jp/view_community.pl?id=3463009 ) (東京の新しいミュージシャン団体です)の会合、横濱エアジン ( http://www.airegin.jp ) での最高の初セクステットライブ、金曜夜の六本木ヒルズクラブ ( http://www.roppongihillsclub.com/visitor/dfw/en/index.html )でのベーシストJeff とギタリストTodd Carver とのお仕事、Time & Style でのStan とのギグ、そしてラフォーレミュージアム六本木での高麗恵子さんの展覧会、ととても濃いものとなりました。

また、先週あたりにFACEBOOK ページを再開しました。皆さんはFACEBOOK使ってますか?多くの日本人が今ではミクシィとMyspace の他にこのFACEBOOKを使っているようです。http://www.facebook.com/にいって、私の名前で検索すると私のFACEBOOKページが見れます。お友達になりましょう!自分のページを再開したことで、ここ5日ほどの間に、故郷アメリカやヨーロッパの何人の友人と再びコンタクトがとれたか、本当に驚きです。

これから10日間ほどはスケジュール的には若干ヒマですが、この間に新しく始めることにワクワクしています。今週火曜に、久しぶりにクラシックの方もまたやり始めようということで、私の新しいブラスクインテットのリハーサルをやります。非常に楽しみにしてたんです、このプロジェクト!待ちきれません!水曜にはビッグバンドのリハが入っていますし、8月28日に表参道のカワイのホールで催される、私のクインテットのHorace Silver コンサートのためのリハも今週どこかに入れたいと思っています。これは、洗足学園音大とカワイのジョイントプロジェクトです。そして今週ようやく曲を書き始めようと思っています。最後にオリジナル曲を書いてからもう何ヶ月も経ってしまっていて、新しい曲を作るのが本当に楽しみです。

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