Mourning the passing of Michael Jackson, 70 dancers perform in front of Dotonbori's Glico sign

Translated from the original article at: http://namba.keizai.biz/headline/2267/

June 25, 2012

Performing “Thriller” in front of the Glico sign.

On June 23rd, the 4th event in remembrance of Michael Jackson's death was held on the Tonbori River Walk of Dotonbori, Osaka where participants proudly showed off their dancing.

The participants dance, cosplaying as zombies.

The "MJ Kansai-Let's Dance as Michael" event was organized across communities throughout various social network services. This year marks the first time the event was held in front of the glico sign of Dotonbori River Walk. The event was also put together to raise awareness for orange ribbon charities for the prevention of child abuse. An organizer commented: "I thought it was wonderful to be able to have the dance performed at one of Osaka's most well-known spots, before the glico sign. From now on, we hope to continue performing here every year."

On that day, 70 participants gathered to dance to MJ's music. Primarily being made up of inexperienced dancers, it's said they went through a crash course in training to prepare for the event. During the performance, participants cosplayed as zombies in the style of Thriller as they danced to the song. Additionally, they put on enthusiastic performances to Beat It, Billie Jean and Smooth Criminal. Travelling from Himeji City, members of the Michael Jackson Memorial Marching Band (Japanese site) participated, bringing a climax to the performances at Dotonbori over the weekend.

With the event being held at Dotonbori, large amounts of passerby’s stopped in their tracks, overtaken by the powerful sight of all the dancers. From the opposite side of the bank, people began clapping their hands to the music or applauding. A couple from Sakai City, vacationing in Namba said "Besides just hearing the Michael Jackson songs that we know, it was great seeing the dancers performing nearby." At the end of the event, an organizer called out to spectators to participate in and donate to charities. "Michael Jackson was someone who was highly interested in charity. Wishing to continue his wishes from here on, we would like everyone to participate in charitable activities."

Smooth Criminal

Thriller

Beat It, Billie Jean, kids performing Billie Jean

Michael Jackson Memorial Marching Band: Bad, Black or White

Original text:

道頓堀でマイケル・ジャクソンさん追悼－グリコ看板前で約70人ダンス

（2012年06月25日）

グリコ看板の前で「スリラー」を披露

大阪・道頓堀の遊歩道「とんぼりリバーウォーク」で6月23日、マイケル・ジャクソンさんの4回忌追悼イベントが行われ、参加者が自慢のダンスを披露した。

【画像】ゾンビーのコスプレをして踊る参加者

主催は、SNSコミュニティーなどで構成される「MJ関西 マイケルを踊ろう会」。今回は初めて、とんぼりリバーウォークのグリコ看板前での開催となった。子ども虐待防止運動「オレンジリボン」のチャリティー活動も合わせて実施した。主催者は「大阪の名物の一つであるグリコ看板の前で踊らせていただくことができてうれしく思っている。これからも毎年、続けていきたい」と話す。

当日は、約70人の参加者が集合し、マイケルさんの楽曲に合わせてダンスを披露した。ダンス未経験者がほとんどで、今回のために特訓を積んだという。中には代表曲「スリラー」のイメージ通り、ゾンビのコスプレをする参加者も。ほかにも「ビートイット」「ビリージーン」「スムースクリミナル」などの代表曲のダンスを熱演。姫路から「マイケルジャクソン メモリアル マーチングバンド実行委員会」も参加し、週末の道頓堀を盛り上げた。

イベントが行われた道頓堀では、多くの通行客が足を止めて、大人数の迫力あるダンスに見入った。対岸からは途中手拍子や拍手も起こり、堺市から難波に遊びに来たというカップルは「知っている曲が聞こえたのでのぞいてみた。間近でダンスを見られて良かった」と話した。最後にイベント主催者が「マイケルはチャリティーに関心が高かった人。これからもその遺志を継ぎ、慈善活動を行っていきたい」と話し、観覧者に活動への参加や募金を呼び掛けた。

At a Abeno Cues Mall event, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu commemorates the sale of her new single

Translated from the original article at: http://abeno.keizai.biz/headline/388/

April 8th, 2012

2500 gather for the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu event.

At the 3rd level Sky Court of Abeno Market Park(Osaka City Abenoku Abeno Kin 1), Kyary Pamyu Pamyu held an event on April 8th.

The popular Kyary Pamyu Pamyu at the event.

An event was held too commemorate the April 4th release of her second single, Candy Candy.  A capacity crowd of 2500 gathered.

On that day, a free live concert was held. Besides performing Candy Candy for the first time in the Kansai region, 5 songs total were performed, including Pon Pon Pon and Tsukematsukeru. Also announced is that Kyary will begin her first Solo Live Tour from Club Nanba Hatch (Japanese site) located in the ward of Naniwa.

In addition, those who purchased CD's were eligible for a hand shake event also held, where over 1000 people lined up.

In an interview before the event, Kyary said "I once again wore these clothes (from the video) to show my love to the fans" as well as "I like people who speak Kansai Dialect."

Original Text: 

きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅさん、あべのキューズモールでイベント－新曲発売記念で

（2012年04月08日）

きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅさんのイベントに2500人集まる

あべのマーケットパーク キューズモール（大阪市阿倍野区阿倍野筋1）3階スカイコートで4月8日、きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅさんがイベントを行った。

【画像】盛り上がったきゃりーぱみゅぱみゅさんのイベント

4月4日に発売されたセカンドシングル「CANDY CANDY」のリリース記念で催された同イベント。満員の2500人が集まった。

当日はフリーライブも行い、関西で初披露となる新曲「CANDY CANDY」のほか、「PONPONPON」「つけまつける」など5曲を歌った。きゃりーさんからは初のワンマンライブツアーを6月2日から「なんばHatch」（浪速区）で始めることも発表した。

併せて、CD購入者を対象とした握手会も催し、1000人以上が並んだ。

イベント前に行われた会見できゃりーさんは「自分の衣装を再現してくれているファンもいて愛情が伝わる」と話し「関西弁の人が好き」とも。

The visual and hearing impaired to perform Taiko on the 25th, celebrating the 5 year anniversary of Kanagawa's local disabled assistance center/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1202060008/

February 6, 2012

Members train on Japanese style taiko drums=At the Kaminoki Center of the Kanagawa District in Yokohama City

On the 25th, the wakuwakuwa-ku group (Japanese site) of the local disabled assistance center for the hearing and visually impaired (In Tanmachi, Kanagawa ward, Yokohama city) will perform at an event celebrating the location’s 5 years of activity. It will be held in the Isogo Public Meeting Hall of Yokohama city's Isogo District. "Wishing to offer entertainment to families and people of the area," members of the center are encouraged to spend every day in training, as they’re scheduled to perform Japanese taiko for the first time.

"Let's decide on the next pose to train," a lecturer signaled in sign language to the facility staff, as thirteen participants held a taiko stick sideways in their right hand, with their left hands stretched upwards. Training began near the end of December of last year, the first experience in hitting a Taiko drum for the members. "Being taught to "Take in the rhythm of the drums" while having no sense of hearing was bewildering for beginners," said Center Director Okada Kyoshi (58), looking back at the experience.

Each day, much time was spent training. Feeling the striking of the drum against the skin of their hands, those who couldn't hear could still sense the rhythm. Pressing their taiko sticks against a towel suspended in the air, those who couldn't see could judge the distance of their sticks in relation to the drums. "I want to learn faster," said a member, spending his time off training by himself. As he was smiling, Horie Shouichi (Age 59) said "Completing the song with everybody was fun." Performing the opening solo is Mihori Akio (Age 65) who said "Personally. I would like for many people to see our rendition of Hare Butai (A classic Japanese song).

The event takes place from 1:30PM until 3:30PM. The Taiko performance starts at about 2:20PM. Tickets can be purchased in advance for 1500 yen or 1800 yen on the day of the performance. For questions, the Wakuwakuwa-ku group can be reached at 045(313)1134.

Original text:

神奈川区の地域作業所が５周年で25日イベント、視覚障害者ら太鼓/横浜

2012年2月6日

和太鼓を練習するメンバー＝横浜市神奈川区の市神之木地区センター

視覚・聴覚障害のある人のための地域作業所「わくわくわーく」（横浜市神奈川区反町）が25日、開所５周年を記念したイベントを横浜市磯子区の磯子公会堂で開催する。「支えてくれた家族や地域の人々を楽しませたい」と初めて和太鼓の演奏を披露する予定で、メンバーは日々練習に励んでいる。

「次は決めポーズの練習をしましょう」。作業所のスタッフらが講師の言葉を手話などで伝えると、通所する13人はばちを持った右手を横に、左手を上に上げる。練習は昨年12月下旬から始めた。メンバーにとって、太鼓をたたくことは初体験。「『リズムを取ってたたく』と教えても、耳が聞こえないために最初は戸惑う人もいた」。岡田恭子所長（58）は振り返る。

練習は、多い時期でほぼ毎日。手で机をたたいてリズムを体に覚えさせ、タオルの上から机をたたいてばちさばきを身に付けた。「早く覚えたい」と休み時間に自主練習するメンバーもいた。堀江昭一さん（59）は「みんなで一つの曲を完成させるのが楽しみ」と笑顔を見せる。冒頭でソロで演奏する三堀明男さん（65）は「自分たちの晴れ舞台を多くの人に見てもらいたい」と話した。

イベントは午後１時半～３時半で、和太鼓の演奏は午後２時20分ごろ。チケットは前売りが１５００円、当日が１８００円。問い合わせはわくわくわーく電話０４５（３１３）１１３４。