On July 20 (Ocean Day), a fundraising concert was held for KAIR.
Performers included 2001 KAIR participant Keiju Nakajima’s band Eurasian Rung, ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) Josh, and local songstress Ai Miyagi.

In the moments leading up to the 6 o’clock start, lots of familiar faces started to come together at the venue. (here’s a pic of some people in front of the food stand that Rakuon Rakujitsu put up, selling potatoes and freshly baked pizza)
Shown here: Curator of Yoriiza, Ms. Kawano (center) and mother of Kamiyama, Kuniko Aihara (right), with Mariko Miyagi running the shop.

Keiju Nakajima’s wife and children helped Ms. Kudo run the ticket desk.

“Hi there, everyone!” says KAIR Chairman, Tetsuo Sugimoto.

Members of Eurasian Rung chatting it up before the show. From the left, Keiju Nakajima (guitar), Kinya (didgeridoo), Yukihiro (percussion).

Josh (cello)
(The two women must be Josh’s fans)

These people are also Josh’s fans.

And,

She came! Fan of Yoriiza for 50 years, Sachiko Minato.

“Um… Ms. Minato. The sun has already gone down, so I don’t think you need your hat…”
“And your clothes look like they’re going to slip off your shoulder…” says me.

“Nikolai! You don’t understand. I may not look it, but I was a great fan of Michael Jackson. I’m dressed like this today in his honor. This gold bracelet is the same as Michael’s. It cost (er-herm) yen, you know!

Now that you mention it, Michael always wore his hat on an angle, and he did often hang his jacket over one shoulder.
“If you’re going to see a concert, you’ve got to dress for it. Not only that, but I’ve got 800 CDs and records, with a big focus on Michael’s works.” says Ms. Minato.

I had only ever had the image of her doing traditional Japanese dance. I must apologize for my attitude…. (haha)

So many people came to see the show. (You can also see people on the second floor)

It started with a song by Ai Miyazaki.

In the back, you can see one of the vine works by 2008 KAIR participant, Karin van der Molen.

All the people from R-style came too.
(someone in the back is really living it up. haha)

I think these people came to see Josh.
Josh went home to America on the 22nd, so a lot of people came to say goodbye to him.

Lots of ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) also came to see the show.

Shino from Hacopro. Smile for the camera!

Thanks to Rika too for her help.

After the concert, we moved on to Kofuku-ya for a farewell party for Josh. Josh has done so much for us. Ms Kudo presented him with a gift to thank him.

The present was a wine stand from Ms Matsui’s shop, Somabito.

It was also Chalice’s birthday, so we had a birthday cake for her.

We shut off the lights and got her to blow out the candles. How many candles are on there I wonder?

“Yummy!”

“Thank you!”

It was 11pm before we knew it.

Finally, our usual group portrait.

Oops, cut off some people on the left…

Huge thanks to everyone who came to perform in the concert, and also everyone who came to the venue to help out behind the scenes!!