こんにちは!突然の連絡ですみませんが、今日は嬉しい お知らせを一つさせて頂きます。今度のゴールデンウィーク 中の5月4・5・6日に、「9条世界会議」というフェスティバル が幕張メッセにて行われます。そこでPeace Not War Japan が、「平和と音楽の関係性を考える〜音楽のパワーで憲法9条 を感じよう!」というワークショップを開くことになりました。
We are excited to announce that PNWJ will be putting on a workshop titled "Exploring the Connections Between Music and Peace," as part of the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War that is scheduled for the upcoming Golden Week (May 4th-6th) at Makuhari Messe in Chiba.
The workshop, scheduled for the afternoon of May 5th, will feature performances by an exciting lineup of local and internationally-based musicians who are committed to bringing about peace in our world, and will be followed by a panel discussion amongst the artists. Please find all of the details down below!
We are also seeking volunteers to help out with workshop interpreting, selling Peace Not War Japan CDs, and stage setup on the day of the event. Volunteers will receive free admission, as well as a free CD... please contact us if you are interested! We are also looking for folks to help pass around flyers to advertise the event between now and the 5th (we'll need your address to send you a stack).
The Article 9 conference itself will feature hundreds of seminars, workshops, and artistic performances, and is scheduled to be attended by peace activists and supporters from all around the world. For more info about the conference, and a full program schedule, see the official conference website here: www.whynot9.jp/.
(Music lovers take note: the opening concert on May 4th also features a number of fabulous performers, including the Ainu Rebels, Funkist, Futenma Kaori, Harada Shinji, Nataliya Gudziy, Kamebuchi Yuka, Kato Tokiko, Takahashi Chikuzan, and UA.)
We very much hope to see you all at this exciting event!
In peace and hope, The PNWJ Steering Committee (Kimberly Hughes, Miho Yazawa, Hiroshi Fukui)
~~~~~~~~~~~Please Forward~Thanks!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Global Article 9 Conference Workshop: Exploring the Connections Between Music and Peace
Date/Time: Monday, May 5th (National Holiday) 12:20 – 13:50
Place: Makuhari Messe, Chiba (International Conference Hall 3F, Room 304)
Organizer: Peace Not War Japan (www.pnwj.org, info@pnwj.org)
Please join us for a live show featuring a lineup of several internationally acclaimed musicians. The artists will then be asked to share their views and personal experiences regarding the contribution of music as both a political and a spiritual tool toward the goal of encouraging peace, and to consider the role that music can play to help protect Japan's Constitutional Article 9. The discussion will be emceed by radio personality Peter Barakan, who has a deeply nuanced understanding of music and peace-related issues, as well as the convergence thereof.
Performers:
Aska Kaneko (Multi-genre violinist and vocalist)
Ben Kemp & Uminari (Polynesian and Japanese acoustic fusion ensemble)
Likkle Mai & The K (Reggae vocalist/ guitarist)
Emcee:
Peter Barakan (broadcaster)
Fees for the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War:
May 4th (Plenary & Live Concert): ¥1500 (\1000 with advance purchase) May 5th (Symposium & Workshops): same as above (Conference is free for junior high school students and younger.)
Born in Tokyo, Aska Kaneko began playing the violin at age four, and started to perform professionally while attending the Tokyo University of the Arts. She has played in countless numbers of music sessions spanning numerous genres, and has released a total of 17 albums. She continues to receive accolades for her outstanding technique, rich musical expression, and playfully elegant style. Aska's most recent album is Ave (2007), a multi-lingual collaboration where she explores themes of peace along with several international guest artists. She also regularly facilitates children's workshops, and produces music for use in energy work. Her personal pursuits include researching the Mayan calendar, bodywork such as yoga and Tai Chi, and organic cooking. She lives with her husband, who is from the U.S., and their fifth-grade, Hawaiian-born son. Website: http://www.aska-aloha.com/
Ben Kemp & Uminari: Signed to independent Japanese label Suzuki Records, Ben Kemp & Uminari are creating a unique musical fusion as they forge new territory both musically and culturally. With their adventurous instrumentation that includes vocals, guitar, electric flute, cajón and fretless bass, the group features Ben's Polynesian-inspired ethereal voice and poetic lyrics, combined with Uminari's Japanese-inspired arrangements. The overall effect is a soulful, acoustic sound that is both soothing and haunting. The group has released three albums, and has toured twice in New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Website: http://www.benkemp.co.nz/
Likkle Mai & The K:
Accomplished reggae vocalist Likkle Mai, who runs her own record label "MK MuziK", continues to bring audiences her strong message of peace and love. Her second album "MW" received praise from various music magazines following its release in 2007, and a 7-inch single track "My Woman/Home, Sweet Home was released in January 2008 from the same album. Likkle Mai is presently working on a collaboration project with several other artists, as well as her own third album.
Born in London, Peter Barakan has lived in Tokyo since 1974 and has worked in broadcasting since 1980. His work has placed particular emphasis on introducing a wide variety of music from different parts of the world to a public that is often force-fed only what is commercially convenient for large corporations. His present radio programs are the "Barakan Beat" show at www.otonamazu.com online, which features a variety of world music; and "Weekend Sunshine," a weekly free form radio programme on NHK-FM. He also hosts the Japanese broadcast of the US news magazine show " 60 Minutes" and the weekly talk show "Begin Japanology "for NHK World.