What a joy it was to see Sean Roe back in Urbanguild this evening - and for the first time in four years! And so much talent in tonight's show too! I was particularly impressed this time by two of the dancers: Misuzu and Chian. Watch out for them in the images and videos below. Mangrove Kipling Cozy (Colin Garvey & Yozy) みすず + 山崎昭典 … [Read more...]
Velvet Moon: Live Music & Dance @ Urbanguild, Kyoto; March 25th 2015
I'm very happy to report that our old friend Sean Roe will be returning to Urbanguild on March 25th as one half of the sound and video improvisation unit amallsのskcaj! VELVET MOON Vol. 115 DATE: Wednesday March 25th DOORS OPEN: 19:00 / SHOW STARTS: 19:30 ADVANCE TICKETS: 2000 yen with 1 drink / TICKETS ON THE DOOR: 2300 yen with 1 drink Here is the full line up for … [Read more...]
KYOTOGRAPHIE 2015
With thanks to Christie Petrakopoulou, here are some details of this year's Kyotographie festival of photography (with a little bit of jazz thrown in for good measure)... KYOTOGRAPHIE is a high-end photographic event that runs annually in Kyoto (Japan), for over three weeks during the height of the spring tourist season. With a unique approach in Asia to traditional … [Read more...]
Images from Sanka’s Winter Ritual
On January 25th I attended Sanka's Winter Ritual; a performance at Urbanguild by the mixed media collective Ensō Watt. Just as when I attended the Autumn Ritual in October, I was completely enthralled by the mounting energy of this show. It really is a treat to see talented artists from so many varied disciplines blending their abilities so successfully. Of course, it … [Read more...]
Sugar Army at Club Socrates, Kyoto; January 11th 2015
In a scattering of mikan oranges, I am briefly popping my head out from the warm kotatsu of oshōgatsu hibernation to bring you this important announcement. Flying in all the way from Perth, Western Australia, Sugar Army will play Live House Socrates in Kyoto on Sunday January 11th!!! Details of the show: Date: Sunday, January 11th Doors Open: 16:30 Show Starts: … [Read more...]
Jon Levy at the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
The other night we popped into the Ritz-Carlton hotel to see Jon Levy. Jon plays in the lounge there 4 nights a week from Wednesday to Saturday. As well as original numbers he also has a long list of popular tunes, both old and new for people to request from, so he is in fact a human jukebox. We had a great time picking songs for him to play, and for much of the evening we were … [Read more...]
Video from Bliki Circus – Sans Titre – at Urbanguild
It was so good to see Bliki Circus return to Urbanguild last week with their energy, talent and group dynamic intact. Here are a couple of videos to give you an idea of what these fine musicians are about, as they play "klezmer, tango, jazz, rock, and punk, and whatever else comes up". Good times. Keep up to date with Bliki Circus on Facebook: … [Read more...]
Sanka’s Winter Ritual: A Mixed Media Performance by Ensō Watt @ Urbanguild; January 25th
I am very excited to learn that Ensō Watt's Rite of Winter will be performed at Urbanguild on January 25th 2015! This is the third in Ensō Watt's series celebrating the 100th anniversary of Stravinski's Rite of Spring. I attended the Rite of Autumn in October and it was fantastic. Be prepared to be thoroughly immersed in a world of intense colours, poetry, music and … [Read more...]
Handel’s Messiah ~ The 50th Christmas Concert from Doshisha
Every year Doshisha University puts on a Christmas performance of Handel’s masterpiece, “Messiah”, at Kyoto Concert Hall and this year is the 50th! The annual All Doshisha Messiah Concert is hugely popular with members of the local community, as well as with the students, graduates, teachers and staff of Doshisha…. All the performers do their best to make it a Christmas to … [Read more...]
Bliki Circus Are Back on Stage at Urbanguild on December 18th!!
After a two year hiatus - Bliki Circus are back! Bliki Circus is an acoustic gypsy/punk group in Kyoto, Japan. Their music is reminiscent of traditional folk music from Japan, Eastern Europe and Russia, spiced with touches of Klezmer, tango, jazz, rock, and punk, and whatever else comes up. If you have seen Bliki Circus before, you know you are ensured a great night out! … [Read more...]
Shakuhachi & Piano Concert with Yoshida Koichi, Ikeda Ippei & Carmen Alvarez
Yoshida Nazarov Koichi is coming home to Kyoto! After two years performing music in Russia and Europe, shakuhachi player Yoshida Nazarov Koichi will return to Japan this January, and play his first performance at the legendary Zac Baran! Playing once again with his former bandmate, the jazz pianist Ikeda Ippei, Koichi has a fresh new batch of original tunes, traditional numbers … [Read more...]
tRace elements – The Final Kiyamachi Tour – Video & Photos from Tadg’s
Unfortunately, due to other commitments, Mewby and I were only able to attend one stop on Max & Ryotaro's final 10-bar tour of Kiyamachi. We enjoyed every minute of the set they played at Tadg's though. Here are some photos and finally a video of my personal favorite among all of Max's songs... See … [Read more...]
Up & Down the Ki’ – Two Extracts from Deep Kyoto: Walks by Michael Lambe
This month we have two extracts from Deep Kyoto: Walks. Both are from my own piece on a musical tour of Kiyamachi bars conducted by my good friends Mark (Max) Dodds and Ryotaro Sudo in late November last year. On Saturday November 29th 2014 Max and Ryotaro will again perform this tour for the tenth and final time, so a couple of short excerpts from my account seemed timely. In … [Read more...]
tRace elements – “Up & Down the Ki” – The 10th & Final Kiyamachi Tour
One night, ten bars, and a whole lot of foot-tapping tunes. UPDATE!!! 11/26 There has been a small change in the schedule. Max & Ryotaro will now start their tour on the corner of Kiyamachi and Sanjo and NOT in front of the old school! On Saturday November 29th 2014, Max and Ryotaro will return to Kiyamachi as tRace elements for their tenth and final ten bar musical … [Read more...]
