A Favorite Singer So I GIF-T Her

Live House Dream

The place was shaking with loud rock and folks clapped their hands, while stomping their feet.

Because of the recent rains and passing typhoon, it wasn't as crowded as usual.

That made it a little easier, to get around with the camera so, I was everywhere.

Wanting to travel light, I only brought the Pentax K1 and a 50 MM prime lens.

The nine images used to make this animation were shot at f/2 1/800  ISO 6400.

Normally, I don't use ISO's in that high of a range, to avoid getting grainy photos.

But, it was necessary to get quick shutter speed under those lighting conditions.

Smoke on the Water

They were on the third set, shortly after 11 PM, when they did this number.

Deep Purple's, Smoke on the Water is probably, played by every rock band in Japan.

Aki sings blues too, in English or, Japanese. Take your pick.

Another favorite singer of mine, would be Willie Nelson but, I wouldn't hug the guy.

Aki's, a different story. I don't mind getting hugs from her.

She always, turns her face sideways when she grabs me and, I think I know why.

There's a diamond in her nose and, she may be afraid, I'll snatch it off of her.

Imagine, how many beers you could buy if, you hocked a genuine diamond.

Over 500 times, the shutter clicked on my camera last night.

An album on Facebook, will have some more of the evening's photos.

Each performer, I tried to get good quality images of, to post over there.

Even Aki's mom, was up there, singing on the stage. That was a surprise.

Before midnight, I had to leave, to meet some friends at a another location.

There's no telling, what time the Dream Live House finished up and closed.

About 2 AM, a flock of girls, with Aki, showed up at another bar.

It was a long, busy day, for me and, I knew I'd have to download the camera, early today.

So, I bid everyone farewell and staggered on home. Maybe, it was around 2:30 in the morning.

It seems, I forgot to ask if, the band would be playing live, again tonight.

While, the camera battery is being re-charged maybe, I'll stop downtown and see.

Here's Proof -- This Stuff Wasn't Just a Dream

It all started with an invitation to see this live band from Tokyo.

Most people, don't go out on Monday night but, yesterday was special.

It was Umi no Hi, a national holiday, in Japan.

 

The weekend, had me busy with photography, past midnight the last few days.

A gal named, Aki would be performing on stage.

If she wasn't such a darling, I would have stayed home last night.

She keeps flying to Tokyo, to sing and, we hardly get to see her anymore.

When she told me the door would be open at 7:30, I showed up at 7PM.

That gave me a chance to check the place out, before the crowds arrived.

The bar only seats about 65 people.

But, Aki is so popular 90-100 guests usually show up to see her.

And, when some fans, start dancing in front of the stage, she cracks up.

She is one heck of a talented young lady.

Trying to catch her eyes, while peeking through a camera view finder is hard work.

So, plenty of extra shots are taken, to make sure, I get it right.

Aki, gets hopping around on the keyboard, too.

It would probably be a good idea, to take 100 shots just to capture a dozen good ones.

While she was up there wiggling around, I noticed something.

The poor girl is running around with holes in her jeans.

But, she has a diamond, stuck on her nose so, I guess she's doing alright !

Happy Ocean Day -- Sea Day -- Umi no Hi (海の日) in Japan

This photo is the view, I saw, June 22, 2014 as I was leaving the Kerama Islands.

Today is sort of a national holiday in this part of the world.

Years ago, it was called Marine Day.

These days, Umi no Hi, Ocean Day or Sea Day are the proper titles.

Government institutions, schools and banks are all closed, for the holiday.

But, regular folks, like construction workers, are still out in the hot sun, doing what they do.

Japanese Holidays

 

With the busy summer schedule, I thought I might post some handy links.

It seems, these holidays sneak up on me and catch me off guard, regularly.

After talking with the wife, over breakfast, I realized why the beach was so busy last night.

People were camping overnight with their families, because they don't have work today.

Learn more about Marine Day at Office Holidays.

 To see all the holidays, celebrated in Japan, visit Japanese Holidays.

It's time for me to pack up the cameras and go celebrate Umi no Hi with some friends.

Ridea, is back in town, playing at a Live House !

Travel Photo: Nightlife in Koza City Okinawa

After spending the day checking out beaches, caves and other islands, it's time for a break.

It's been a few months since we went to Koza for a night of entertainment.

Tonight, a crowd of us will meet at a Live House.

We may end up sipping the local spirits, singing and dancing.

So, I decided to leave the cameras behind.

Maybe, I'll just take notes.

Just in case you don't hear from me in a few days, call the Koza Information Center.

Tell the authorities you're looking for the bearded American guy.

The one wearing yellow flip-flops.

They'll know where to find me.



Maw, We Better Dust Off The Dancin' Shoes !

Ridea's Coming to Town

It was such a thrill running across this poster, I grabbed it and stuffed it in my pocket.

Getting all the wrinkles out takes too long. I have to pass the word quickly.

Ridea, will be here, at the Live House December 26, 2012.

Me and Maw, we need to get our dancin' shoes ready, now.

That Sweetheart of a Gal is in Tokyo Somewhere

 

Those city-slicker folks got her playin' concerts, far away from here.

Poor girl, only gets to come back to the Ryukyu Islands on weekends.

She's gonna be a superstar.  I know it.

So, me and the missus are making reservations.

We're goin dancin' that night.

And, I'll see if I can get an autograph from Ridea.

Maybe, even get someone in there with a video camera. 

Those city boys probably aren't aware of this.

Rednecks know some smooth moves, too !

Just to be on the safe side, look for Ridea here.

RELATED POSTS:

Celebrating 750,000 Views at a Live House

Sometimes Shooting a Live Band Drives Me Crazy

In the Spotlight: Aki Yokohama at the Friendship Festival

ALSO, IF Y'ALL LIKE REDNECK STUFF OR, NEED SOME CAR PARTS

We even got a picture of my Dancing Queen in that department.

In the Spotlight: Aki Yokoyama at the Friendship Festival

Today I went to the Friendship Festival on a local USA Military Base.

Aki Yokoyama was the opening act for the day's entertainment.

That's Boss, pickin' the lead guitar.

Late last night, my boss (Mrs. RyukyuMike) said she got a phone call.

Aki and her Boss wanted me there to take photos.

She's a real sweetheart, that gal.  She even waved when she saw me.

We should find somebody who does videos and get her on You Tube.

She was the opening performer for some American Idols they flew over here.

Hah.  I bet those poor kids were sweatin' after they heard Aki sing !

She gets hoppin, singin and dancin around the stage like someone with their pants on fire.

And, the crowd went wild.  That's why I'm puting Aki Yokoyama in the spotlight tonight.

Right after she finished, I left the festival.  

There are over 400 more photos I haven't looked at yet.

The cameras are put away and batteries are charging.

Maybe, I'll see if the beer is cold and air conditioning is turned on at

THE LIVE HOUSE TONIGHT !

Sometimes Shooting A Band Drives Me Crazy (Photo Essay)

Here's the Live House I went to take photos at last Wednesday night.

Right close to the stage is where I like to set up and take a practice shot.

When they start playing and singing I have to be ready.

There aren't too many split seconds where anyone on stage holds still.

Watching the subject's eyes is what I always do.

The girl's eyes, I made my subject.  That's mostly because I'm a guy.

But this girl, she likes to jump around a lot.

Like a chicken that knows his head is gonna get cut off.

So, you have to really concentrate, if you want to catch her eyes.

It might take over 300 shots just to get a few dozen good ones.

After awhile it was driving me crazy so, I got away from the stage.

Over by the bar, you can smell the beer.  And just shoot the TV monitor.  Hah !

Then, when the band is ready to leave, catch them outside.

And, if they won't hold still there, here's what I do.

Get a hold of the boss man. He's the guy in the black cowboy hat.

THAT'S BOSS

He got most of the band members to hold still for a photo.

AND, QUIT DRIVING ME CRAZY !



VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR THE PHOTO OF THE DAY

Celebrating 750,000 Views at a Live House in Okinawa

What better way could a guy celebrate 750,000 blog views than this ?

Here's Boss.

He has a band and Live House not far from my bar.

So, last night after consuming way over the daily recommended minimum of beers,  I decided to go visit Boss's place.

Don't ask what possessed me to bring a camera along.  That's not recommended but, I did it anyway.

Boss is an alright dude who picks a mean guitar.

He lets me get right up on the stage where I can zoom in on the action.

That pretty girl is Aki.  She plays the keyboard.

She plays the guitar.

Plus she sings and dances better than anyone in town.

One of these days, I promised Boss, I'll go back over there with a tripod and no beers in me.

Then, do some professional shooting.  These photos were taken with my little CANON G12.

After I lost my balance and fell off the stage a few times, I took several more beer breaks.

Not wanting to let a good opportunity go to waste, I handed the camera to RyukyuRu.

He took 75 photos, or so, and I'm waiting for him to show up to get the files off my computer.

If we're lucky, he may do one of those MAP IT OKINAWA posts on this Live House.

I hope so, because, to tell the truth,  I don't even remember the name of the place !

750,000 views was a big event for me and I think, maybe I over-celebrated a bit.

Head hurts.

Stomach feels queasy.

Gotta go way up north and try to shoot a lunar eclipse tonight.

Think I'll go buy a few Ginger Ales.

Groan