Miyavi 20year Anniversary Tour

Photo Credit AXS.com

My YouTube channel wasn’t the only anniversary celebration to be had this year as Miyavi, a well known Japanese-Korean rockstar from Japan, was celebrating his 20 years as a guitarist and entertainer this year. People who may not be familiar with Jrock or the Visual Kei scene may recognize him in movies such as Maleficent, Unbroken, or the show Arcane. I haven't seen any of these yet.. so don't spoil it too much! ;)

The concert was brought to us all by Dell and their campaign “ #Youniverse”.

On a blustery October 17th, I went to his concert held at Cobra Lounge for the first time in my life and it was a splendid treat to experience his stage presence IRL. In the middle of the show, he asked a fan "What the fuck took you so long?!" Even though it wasn't directed at me, it was an extremely good and valid question. How does someone that had listened to his music and almost went to his concert years ago NEVER go to one of their favorite Jrocker's events? Ever?

Baffling. I know. 

I was hoping that he’d play a few of my all time favorites like Girls be Ambitious… and he did! I was elated as I thought that maybe he would only play current songs and may not go that far back in his discography. It was one of the songs my brother got for me that I enjoyed with my little sister sometime before high school. (My brother helped us get started and the hook up on some Jpop culture bits here and there...) 

Feeling the music start up and his husky voice reverberating throughout my being, the tears that welled up in my eyes whilst recording the song, a knot in my throat choking up my words as so many memories of being with my little sister and fawning over Jrockers and Jfashion and punk/metal aesthetics came flooding back to me. 

To be in the moment, being overtaken by the waves of Miyavi's music, and being bathed in soft, colourful lights, it felt like being revived from an earlier checkpoint in life. It felt a little lonely being there, as I would have loved to rock out with LicaMica... but it felt good to be around such energetic and vibrant people and being able to enjoy a Jrock moment with them. Maybe... I entered Jrock heaven again.... 

Thank you Miyavi Ishihara for an amazing night. I am glad I made an effort to come out the house and see you live. I look forward to watching the films you're in as well as your next concert. Take care and enjoy your tour.

☆

Nick Cave @ Mca

 

A man willing to risk it all for his art. That is the man I went to go see give a talk about his recent installation at the MCA. Nick Cave's talk has been my 3rd artist talk of the year, and this one called out to me the most. I came across a book with photographs of his body of work and I was intrigued. I liked the playfulness of some of his designs and his take on issues as well. His colourful forms and patterns was refreshing to come across after having instilled the mindset of realism and achieving high levels of detail was most important than the joy one can receive when making artist pieces.

Some of the take aways from this interview was that he believes in working with materials AND people that you trust is so important. Nick also likes to have moments in solitude at his studio even with a team of competent assistants. As time has passed, his art work is still created with found materials from outside. 

One aspect of his workflow that I admire deeply is his ability to jump into a project quickly without much preparation time or materials or the need to transport materials from his studio to an artist residency elsewhere. I am not sure the pace of his workflow, but to be able to not overthink the details so much surprises me. 

Have you seen Nick Cave's body of work before? Share your comments! I'd love to hear from you!

Uchi Con 2015

I decided to spontaneously make my way to my old stomping grounds to visit Uchi Con at the University of Chicago in Hyde Park. It was a relatively small convention, but there was a great turn out for the year!

Adorable Lolis

One of Amber's friends

I also met Missy Chan again at Uchi Con!

After chatting it up a bit with Missy Chan, Amber, and a few new people, I made my way into the Game Room.

Game room!

Saw one of my old high school buddies who went as Wario!

Amber's mutual friends surprised the HECK out of her with this super cool cake and also singing Happy Birthday to her in the game room. She was so happy and burst into tears!

I also got to play a dancing game here with my sister and Amber too! It was pretty fun! I got to do Gangnam style and also an older song that I can't remember the name right now!

My sister dancing... I was super surprised she didn't do a Michael Jackson song!!

I also took over the mic in the gaming room for a little bit. MOOHAHAHAHAHA! It was pretty fun doing silly commentary.

Me and Kevin Fair

derp

Birthday girl Amber groovin with Patrice

Snooth moves.. I think she was a former classmate too...

Selfie time with my friend's hat

 After seeing quite a few familiar faces from my college and high school days, getting in some dancing time and pictures, Crys and I headed downtown and decided to stop for a quick splurge on ice cream. Yes, ice cream in the winter time. The cold never bothered me anywayz...
She got Snicker and cookie dough ice cream, while I went with chocolate (duh) and mint choco chip!

Ice Cream time with my sister, Crys!

nomz

I couldn't make it to an after party though which sucked... but next time for sure!

Peace out Chocopies

Northern Illinois Jfashion Meet Up

I was invited to come out to Saturday's event that was hosted by Stellarkei from the Northern Illinois Jfashion Club at Mitsuwa and also Round 1 that recently opened up in Bloomingdale.

We chatted and conversed a bit more as we ate snacks and shared stories at our table. One of the ladies noticed I was knitting after I ate my lunch... something people who are into gyaru fashion aren't necessarily known for!

After eating, we got ready for photo ops to capture our outfits that we wore to the meet up.

Group Photo

Elegant mori kei

Get wild and be sexy

Kiana and Galaxxy looked way too cute! ;-;

Not gonna lie, This jacket was just too cute lol

I'll wear black until they make a darker colour.

Something's not quite right...

 Too kawaii to live, too sugoi to die!

Much better!

 Pastel Cuties

Dapperest fellas

After magazines were bought, lunch eaten, and pictures taken, we headed to the recently opened Round 1 in Bloomingdale to take purikura!
I was so excited to see these beautiful machines, I almost cried in excitement! Though it is not that close to Mitsuwa or Gameworks, or even Chinatown for that matter, these machines were a Godsend and have been long awaited for YEARS for Chicagoans!

Glorious!

"What is this contraption?"

They had matching Sailor Moon pendants!

When we had our fill of playing arcade games, trying to win cute plushies, and taking purikura, the rest of the group toured and shopped at various stores in the mall.

Despite the cold weather, it was an enjoyable day out meeting with other (Japanese fashion) and alternative fashion enthusiasts!

You can also check out a few more pix on my instagram here!

Chicago Alternative Fashion Walk

Group shot!
Sen,Eteria, Kevi, Kamilah, Kristi, me

Despite it raining on and off for the first hour of meeting up with a couple of people, the Alt. Fashion Walk/get together was pretty nice. There were many photographs being taken of the outfits, and quite a few people asked to take photos with us or of us!

Kevi

Kristi

Brittany

Sen

I couldn't make the parade/walk part of the Fashion walk because I went to visit some family for a few hours....

I met back up with the rest of the group at Water Tower. We went to Jamba Juice to chill out a for bit, chatting and a few of us sipping smoothies.

After we chilled at Jamba Juice for a little while, we split up. Brit, Kristi and I went back to my place after goofing around in Kmart.

Had to show Adam some love. LOL.

Chu-hu

I also had to take a pic with Nicki too lol. Maybe I should have copied her pose instead of one of her expressions??

Ciao ciao!