Hello Everyone!
We’re getting ready for a busy August and September! Tune in Tokyo is headed in some exciting new directions, and we want to take you along for the ride. First up, we’re back at 2nd Street Jazz on Thursday, August 19th for Sakura Bomb!
Jrock returns to Little Tokyo during Nisei Week with our band showcase featuring a featuring a great lineup of Japanese-flavored rock, punk, and electro! The event will be headlined by LA’s own Lemon Drop Kick, a heavy-hitting hybrid of American and Jrock sound, fronted by Japanese singer Miyako! They’ll be joined by eclectic band Keshiki, straight from Japan, along with American J-Pop singing sensation and AX Idol winner Stephanie Yanez, and Indie-Electro act Nightmares for Robots, at Little Tokyo’s premiere destination for live music!
Sakura Bomb runs from 8 PM - 2 AM, ages 18+ will be admitted. There is a $10 cover (this includes a drink ticket worth $5 at the bar, ID policy will be strictly enforced. Sodas and non-alcoholic drinks are available). 2nd Street Jazz is located at 366 E 2nd Street, Los Angeles, California (corner of 2nd and Central in Little Tokyo). There is plenty parking available, but please make sure to check garage hours and street parking signs.
We’re shifting gears on Friday September 3rd with our K-Pop Meet-Up! We’re thrilled that the SM Town 2010 Tour is coming to Staples Center, and to celebrate, we’re throwing our own unofficial pre-party at I Love Boba the night before! DJs Tora, Leett, Del, and yours truly will be spinning Korean and Global Pop from 9 pm - 1 am. There is no cover, but be sure to patronize the shop with a drink purchase. You won’t be disappointed! I Love Boba has the best boba in Koreatown! It’s located at 1111 Western, Los Angeles, CA. If you’re going to be in town for the show, feel free to stop by!
The next night, September 4th, we’ll all be going to see SM Town, featuring Super Junior, Girls Generation, f(x), Shinee, BoA, and more! It’s already been a great year for K-Pop in Los Angeles, with appearances by Wonder Girls, 2PM, and everyone at the Korea Times Festival last May, including Kara, B2ST, and Lessang. We can’t wait to see all the awesome SM Entertainment artists appearing at Staples Center this September. Hope to see you there!
The weekend comes to a close with another cool global pop event on Sunday, September 5th. Our friends at Tokyo Style present DJ Suzuki Ami, and DJ Mayumi, spinning at the amazing club Vanguard in Hollywood! Join these very special guests from Japan for a night of pumping electronic beats. There will also be a fashion show! For more information on Tokyo Style: Girls Gone Bad, visit the official site. Pre-Sale tickets are available online.
DJ Del and I will be spinning the next weekend, on Saturday September 11th at Gallery Nucleus, for the opening night reception for Sweet Streets 2. We’ll be presenting the new Sweet Streets compilation, and will be dropping our own Tune in Tokyo set later in the evening. Featuring 6%dokidoki and more, this night of Japanese music and Harajuku fashion is not to be missed! Gallery Nucleus is located at 210 East Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801.
Don’t forget, J-Rock legends X-Japan are appearing in Chicago at Lollapalooza 2010 on August 8th! A special package is available for fans at X-Japan’s microsite at Jrock Revolution.com. X-Japan is blazing a trail into the U.S. music scene, following the big Yoshiki benefit and video shoot at Club Nokia earlier this month. Show your support by checking out X Perience at Jrock Revolution, and be sure to purchase the special package if you’re attending Lollapalooza! X-Japan is about to put J-Rock on the map in a big way!
Also in August, Anime Jungle welcomes legendary Japanese actor Daisuke Ban, the original Kikaida, for a special appearance and autograph signing in conjuncture Nisei Week activities in Little Tokyo. For tickets and more information, please visit Jungle’s official site.
Tune in Tokyo friends La Carmina and Its Akiko have had busy a busy and exciting summer! Be sure to check out their exploits, and read up on Japanese fashion, music, and pop culture trends on their blogs.
La Carmina hosted our Lunar New Year party at Kira Kira last February, and in addition to being an author of two books, has appeared on Andrew Zimmer’s Bizarre Foods, and is a regular contributor to CNNGo. Her official site is packed with information on Japanese fashion and offbeat culinary culture. This week, read up on how to find Jrock and Lolita friends, and find out about La Carmina’s cool project to celebrate Anthony Bourdain’s 100th TV episode!
Akiko is the new host of Jrock Revolution’s Bento Beatbox TV, and also covers all sorts of interesting things going on in Los Angeles, and in Japanese subculture at her “Its Akiko” blog. This month, find out more about the X-Japan fan package and Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential !
Finally, I wanted to draw your attention to a great clothing and accessory line, Nani?Wear, available exclusively from Gimme Anime. They’ve created a cool collection of products like totes, hats, and t-shirts that unabashedly celebrate being an anime fan. Their online store has lots of great anime collectibles, as well.
Thank you for supporting Tune in Tokyo! It’s an awesome time to be in LA for J-Rock, J-Pop, and K-Pop fans. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming events. Be there on August 19th for Sakura Bomb! It’s going to be great!
Greg Hignight
DJ and Founder, Tune in Tokyo
