Roof Off-Tearing

From the Raku Three's concert last Saturday night. Our audience, though small, was enthusiastic, and I think we played better than we ever had before. Apologies for the feedback in the second and third numbers; we couldn't get the mike quite right again after our guest vocalist finished her songs. Enjoy!

To Paraphrase a T-Rex: "I Want to Plug My Band. Please Allow Me."

Sorry it's been so quiet 'round these parts lately...I promise, it's not because we've all been turned into Godzillas or superheroes over here. Things have been groovy enough, in fact, that a funky-ass concert is just about to break out:


I do, in fact, have plenty to say about many topics of interest. So, as a preview for the upcoming weeks of "Amazing Tales of the Gaijin Patrol," be sure to look forward to hearing about...

• * A trip to Beppu, the Las Vegas of Japan! Except instead of a desert, it's boiling pits of molten sulfur, and instead of gambling, it's taking baths!

• * A look back at a year of teaching kindergarten and having meetings.

• * An unflinching look at how information flows in the Internet Age and how it affects popular perceptions. With...video game jokes, probably.

• * Kit Kats!

• * And more!

See you at the show on Saturday! Like the man said, "Free concerts and your ass will follow." Or something.

Christmas Comes to Osaka

This is what I did last night (click to play, double-click to make it bigger):



Please ignore the out-of-tune cello playing. We'll be Stateside from December 17th, so if you're around the KC or StL areas for the next few weeks, give us a shout! Oh, and Merry Christmas.

Further Adventures in Shameless Plugs

Yes, once again those wily Raku Three are performing at Raku Cafe (what are the odds?), this time for your Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year/Kwanzaa/Emperor's Birthday festivities! Anyone and everyone is welcome for good vegan food, good beer, good music, and good company! Come and deck our halls...for free, no less!

See the flier for directions to Raku Cafe. Hope to see you there!

Today in Shameless Plugs

Just a last-minute plea for attention from anyone who might be in Osaka tomorrow (that would be Saturday, October 23rd): Jenn and I will be performing two sets of live jazz and blues at our home away from home away from America, Raku Cafe. Please enjoy this copy-pasted advertisement, free of charge!

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Yes, once again, Jenn, Harry, and Yutaka-san will be performing jazz and blues at New Raku Cafe in Shin-Imamiya! We've been some days in preparation; a splendid time is guaranteed for all! Bring your friends!

Yutaka-san - Guitar
Jenn - Vocals and Cello
Harry - Ukulele

From Shin-Imamiya Nankai: Take the North exit (near the Festival Gate exit), turn right and walk with the train tracks on your right and the large construction site on your left. Turn left at the end of the construction site and go straight to the first intersection (about 30 seconds). Raku is on the corner.

From Dobutsuenmae: Take Exit 1 or 2 and turn left to cross under the train tracks. Turn right, walking with the tracks on your left. Turn right on the first street after crossing the tram tracks (seriously, it's about a minute if that). Go straight to the first intersection (about 30 seconds). Raku is on the corner.

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Hope to see you there, true believers! Being on another continent is no valid excuse!