DJ SISEN & GPKISM PARTY, J-ROCK BANDS AT 2ND STREET JAZZ, HARLOW GOLD BURLESQUE SHOW, DANCES OF VICE TROUBLE IN TOYLAND.
While most of the world is snoring, fops and dandies are out doing what they do best — being 24 hour party people! Here’s a round-up of recent nigthcrawls, with help from La Carmina’s roving reporters in Tokyo, LA and New York.
Last Saturday, Tokyo’s Artism Festa raged from two in the afternoon… to five in the morning. As you can see from Yukiro’s photos, the spooks remain on top of their fashion game. Do you recognize the fantastical horned bride on the right? Yup, it’s your beloved DJ SiSEN! Yukiro says: “SiSEN was once again clarified as my god with the best outfit ever <3. His horns were to die for!”
Yukiro reports: “The performances at Artism Festa were very good. Aural Vampire played only their best songs. I didn’t arrive until 9pm and just missed SaTaN, which I really wanted to see (I’ve adored their style for a long time). Takuya Angel was there DJ-ing, and he and Chihiro had a DJ duel at the end. Selia was the guest singer in one of GPKISM’s songs; really nice harmonies when Ken’s bass voice went down and Selia’s up. Seileen (Selia and SiSEN’s duo) debuted some new songs and wore all white clothes.”
While in LA, the Adventure Team saw several J-rock bands play at Matsumoto’s 2nd Street Jazz. We had a grand time rocking out to Rusika’s set. Lemon says: “I enjoyed how well they connected with the audience. They didn’t take themselves too seriously and were very personable.” Ementhy concurs: “I really liked how much much they seemed to enjoy performing. Musically, it was everything you would expect to find in such a small venue, but quite surprising how well they sounded even with that small of space.” The hour-long set included “Cage” by Dir en Grey and a couple L’arc~en~Ciel songs (“Stay Away” and “Honey”).
Rusika has several upcoming gigs in LA; be sure to check them out. Isn’t drummer Alfred a J-rock/Visual Kei hairstyle chameleon? I wonder what color he’ll rock next..
Jazzminshroom, Atsuyuki Kono’s band, performed next with a new female singer. (Above is one of their signature melodic rock songs.) The new CD, “Livin’ in’ Caleuphoria” is now out — you can hear more tunes on MySpace.
Bordello Bar in downtown Los Angeles invited me to check out the Sunday burlesque show. My goodness — the space is amazing; the red seating and dramatic decor were made for Goth flappers (if there was ever such a thing!). The bartender tailored a cocktail to my taste (“manly liquor such as gin, rum or whiskey, with a touch of citrus, but not at all sweet.”) It was perfect, cost $10, and got me plenty tipsy!
The Harlow Gold burlesque troupe began with a peekaboo: gartered and high-heeled legs spreading and kicking behind curtains. Then a variety of sexy retro acts: 1920s dancing, hula hoop stripping, crooning into a vintage microphone. The corseted ladies never lost my attention; the show was a classy, well-conceived tip of the hat to old-time burlesque. Bravo! (You can watch Harlow Gold every Sunday night at Bordello.)
My NYC crew nightcrawled at Dances of Vice, “a world-renown monthly series of parties featuring a new fanciful theme every month mixed on top of a constant decadent 1920s theme (live swing band! Burlesque! Awesome hats!).” (Also check out my Halloween report here; photos above by Shichi.) The theme was Trouble in Toyland, “where daily dolls go missing, and the toy soldiers have gone quite deranged…” Once again, a surreal mix of music, fashion and foppery. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love stuffed animals worn as headpieces.
I’ve been churning out work for CNNGo. My latest articles are about Wolverine getting an anime manga makeover and DIY Asian designers: 10 unique handmade gifts you’ll be happy to give. You may also like my Who Mattered Most in Hong Kong 2009 profiles, a primer in Cantonese celebrity scandal and political drama. All of my articles are listed on my CNNGo contributor page, which you can bookmark.
Have you been on any good nightcrawls lately? What are your favorite local parties? (You never know… I might stop by one day!)
Song of the Day #260: Marlee – Independance Day
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LA CARMINA
64 Comments
Wow… reading this over… makes me feel exhausted. (<__<) And there's much more ahead… ahh!
Wow… reading this over… makes me feel exhausted. (<__<) And there's much more ahead… ahh!
I didn’t get home till 6am. Also its finals week, so I haven’t had the chance to recover! I’m still exhausted >.<
That’s how we roll… nightcrawling takes its toll… but it’s far more exhilarating than staying home alone… :D
Now THAT’S an awesome rhyme that makes total sense to me lol XDDD
haha!
I didn't get home till 6am. Also its finals week, so I haven't had the chance to recover! I'm still exhausted >.<
oh hey Carmina! that's great! thanks a lot!
we're playing at good hurt on 23rd.
come check us out if you're around.
sounds better this time for sure.
once again thanks!
Nyappy! o(≧∀≦)o
hey la carmina, thx for putting me on the list. i just checked ur website, what u do is very interesting. u live in hk?? btw, the next street concert is this friday, in case u can make it.
cheers
kung
thanks for the comment & link <3
can't wait to see u again !
It all looks fab and I wish I'd been to all of them! I'm trying to find out when DoV is on next Feb and March, so I can plan when to come to the US! Let me know if you find out dates :)
ah the 1920's…I've always thought burlesque was kinda've a graceful sexy…idk, ppl think I'm weird. lol
according to a quiz I took, a decade I would fit in is the 1940's…
& my gosh I luv yukiros hair & eyes! ^-^
also I checked out the “who mattered most in Hong Kong 09” article & it was great!
I just came here from Boing-Boing and I LOVE your blog. I'm subscribing to it in my Google Reader!!! Can't wait to read more of your posts :-]
That's how we roll… nightcrawling takes its toll… but it's far more exhilarating than staying home alone… :D
Thank you so much! It's a pleasure to meet you. :3
You may enjoy my Tokyo coverage here: http://lacarmina.com/category/tokyo-go…
as well as my Tokyo Club Guide, Shopping Guide, and silly YouTube videos. (There are links to these on the right sidebar.) Keep in touch!
Awesome! I won't be there, but hopefully others will see this post and come by!
I will for sure! I won't be in NYC in Feb/Mar (I'll be in LA) but I'll put you in touch with my friends!
Those were such lovely decades for fashion… pillbox hats, fringe, bow lips… love it!
Oh I'm glad you liked the article — I had fun writing it and learned a lot in the process. It's a great gig!
Love your work too! My family is from Hong Kong, but I am not currently living there… hopefully, I will be back in HK soon to visit. I will keep you posted — it would be wonderful to attend one of your street concerts!
Keep in touch!
*_*v
looks like so much fun ;o)
keep this up.
It is fun!
Loving all the outfits and man I wish I could have been there to P-A-R-T-Y! ^_^
sweet <3
I love gothic and gothic lolita fashion^^Your blog is awesome and I learned a lot from it.Have a nice day=^^=
Sayuri
oh hey Carmina! that’s great! thanks a lot!
we’re playing at good hurt on 23rd.
come check us out if you’re around.
sounds better this time for sure.
once again thanks!
Awesome! I won’t be there, but hopefully others will see this post and come by!
Nyappy! o(≧∀≦)o
hey la carmina, thx for putting me on the list. i just checked ur website, what u do is very interesting. u live in hk?? btw, the next street concert is this friday, in case u can make it.
cheers
kung
Love your work too! My family is from Hong Kong, but I am not currently living there… hopefully, I will be back in HK soon to visit. I will keep you posted — it would be wonderful to attend one of your street concerts!
Keep in touch!
thanks for the comment & link <3
can't wait to see u again !
It all looks fab and I wish I’d been to all of them! I’m trying to find out when DoV is on next Feb and March, so I can plan when to come to the US! Let me know if you find out dates :)
I will for sure! I won’t be in NYC in Feb/Mar (I’ll be in LA) but I’ll put you in touch with my friends!
ah the 1920’s…I’ve always thought burlesque was kinda’ve a graceful sexy…idk, ppl think I’m weird. lol
according to a quiz I took, a decade I would fit in is the 1940’s…
& my gosh I luv yukiros hair & eyes! ^-^
also I checked out the “who mattered most in Hong Kong 09” article & it was great!
Those were such lovely decades for fashion… pillbox hats, fringe, bow lips… love it!
Oh I’m glad you liked the article — I had fun writing it and learned a lot in the process. It’s a great gig!
I just came here from Boing-Boing and I LOVE your blog. I’m subscribing to it in my Google Reader!!! Can’t wait to read more of your posts :-]
Thank you so much! It’s a pleasure to meet you. :3
You may enjoy my Tokyo coverage here: http://lacarmina.com/category/tokyo-gothic-lolita/
as well as my Tokyo Club Guide, Shopping Guide, and silly YouTube videos. (There are links to these on the right sidebar.) Keep in touch!
*_*v
looks like so much fun ;o)
keep this up.
It is fun!
Loving all the outfits and man I wish I could have been there to P-A-R-T-Y! ^_^
Yukiro's green+black stockings! STEAL. that will go well with a zombie/ cat/ goth/ mischief/poisonous/ omg so much more OUTFIT :D
sweet <3
I love gothic and gothic lolita fashion^^Your blog is awesome and I learned a lot from it.Have a nice day=^^=
Sayuri
All of his outfits are phenomenal! I'll have many more pics with Yukiro coming up soon…
Yukiro’s green+black stockings! STEAL. that will go well with a zombie/ cat/ goth/ mischief/poisonous/ omg so much more OUTFIT :D
All of his outfits are phenomenal! I’ll have many more pics with Yukiro coming up soon…
Now THAT'S an awesome rhyme that makes total sense to me lol XDDD
Sweet! Awesome pix, thanks for the feature! Your friends were so adorable! Hope to see ya soon honey
haha!
Sweet! Awesome pix, thanks for the feature! Your friends were so adorable! Hope to see ya soon honey
That's so weird!
Alfred, the drummer, is a friend of one of my friends whom I've known since we were eight!
To think he'd appear on here… XDDD
hehe no kidding! Are you from Arizona?
It's funny – the Jrock / Japan fashion scene is a lot smaller than people think, even worldwide. A lot of people have turned up here… XD
That’s so weird!
Alfred, the drummer, is a friend of one of my friends whom I’ve known since we were eight!
To think he’d appear on here… XDDD
hehe no kidding! Are you from Arizona?
It’s funny – the Jrock / Japan fashion scene is a lot smaller than people think, even worldwide. A lot of people have turned up here… XD
Nah, LA. People get around, I guess. XD
He changed his hair again, by the way. It’s all silvery now. (He really is a chameleon, as you said.) ^_^
No, I’d have to agree it’s a lot smaller than people think. Or, at least, somehow, everyone knows each other… it tends to happen when Asians are involved. We all just… know each other. HAHA.
Do you ever go to the Tune in Tokyo parties? I’ll be around in Feb!
No, I haven’t been – what are they like? They sound interesting… ^_^
Oh, one thing, I don’t actually live in LA anymore. *Tear*
I moved to the East Coast to go to college in Massachusetts… and I’m going to be in London next year, so I guess I’ll have to hold off on the LA parties until I’m back there again!
But I’m definitely going to hit some Torture Garden events while I’m in London, so I’ll be getting my fetish parties on, at least!
Nah, LA. People get around, I guess. XD
He changed his hair again, by the way. It's all silvery now. (He really is a chameleon, as you said.) ^_^
No, I'd have to agree it's a lot smaller than people think. Or, at least, somehow, everyone knows each other… it tends to happen when Asians are involved. We all just… know each other. HAHA.
Do you ever go to the Tune in Tokyo parties? I'll be around in Feb!
No, I haven't been – what are they like? They sound interesting… ^_^
Oh, one thing, I don't actually live in LA anymore. *Tear*
I moved to the East Coast to go to college in Massachusetts… and I'm going to be in London next year, so I guess I'll have to hold off on the LA parties until I'm back there again!
But I'm definitely going to hit some Torture Garden events while I'm in London, so I'll be getting my fetish parties on, at least!
No, I haven't been – what are they like? They sound interesting… ^_^
Oh, one thing, I don't actually live in LA anymore. *Tear*
I moved to the East Coast to go to college in Massachusetts… and I'm going to be in London next year, so I guess I'll have to hold off on the LA parties until I'm back there again!
But I'm definitely going to hit some Torture Garden events while I'm in London, so I'll be getting my fetish parties on, at least!
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