First RENS show

Song titles: Once again, above. Terekakushi no Proresuwaza below.

Yesterday was my first show with RENS, a band from Makurazaki, a city near my town. We played two shows yesterday, the first at an event for a special needs home, and the second at an event outside of an art gallery. The band members are all 39 years old and all went to the same elementary and junior high together back in the day. It was really fun playing with them... in my first real show! We are practicing for a big show happening on Christmas eve, but I think there are a few shows before then.

As for the rest of the weekend, friday was a holiday and there as a big festival happening in the Kagoshima City. I got on a dancing squad to parade through the streets ad-libbing some sort of japanese dance... and getting served free shochu (sweet potato alcohol) along the way!

On friday night we ended up at a little music festival happening in the central park (don't let the name fool you, its about the size of a soccer field) with all kinds of dj's and bands playing. A highlight was a band from Amami Oshima island, a little island south of here. Ispired by all the great music, we headed down to rock out at a karaoke place.

Saturday night, ended up taking er easy and going to a movie, the first since I've been here.. at $20 per ticket you can guess why.. mind you i did enjoy some edamame during the movie which was certainly a first!

Some university students who were on our dancing squad

Each group has matching outfits and a dance routine.. some are better than others.. the girls below were amazing! we were something else...

Our group... finally done with dancing... it was about an hour and a half! The girl in the purple was the amazing singer from AMAMJAUBB, the band from Amami Oshima Island. The first show on Sunday, at a festival for a special needs home.