Open Mic at a livehouse called, Yukotopia Tokyo!

Sun, June 18 2006.

So, I arrived in Tokyo in the very early morning today. I came to the hostel K's House and checked my email...I found a mail from a poet artist Misako in Tokyo. Her mail said, "There will be a open mic that I am organizing on June 18, but I suppose you would be just arriving in Tokyo that day and wouldn't make it...But you can come for the next event we are planning if you like."

Oh my!! I emailed her back right away and found out the time and location for the open mic. It was starting in 2 hours!! I pulled my portfolio out from the backpack ang grabbed my handdrum and run down stairs. I found some people at the lobby and asked them, "Can you help me out? Where is Umezawa station? How can I get there from here? I just arrived to Tokyo."

I got the direction, hopped on a subway, grabbed a sandwitches on the way, and made it to the livehouse, Yukotopia. Their website is: http://home9.highway.ne.jp/yukos/yukotopia/

There were about 12 artists reading/singing experimental poems. A woman was playing a CD and reading her poem using the music. A guy was getting 2 key words from audience and made up an improvised story in a moment. There were some folks playing some wacky music and singing songs, too.

Later, my turn came. While I was waiting for my turn to come, I really registed not to plan anything ahead. I wanted to come up with an idea in front of audience. On stage, I came up with an idea to do an improvised drum conversation with audience. Audience "drummed" their table and communicated with my drum sounds.

At the end of the open mic, there was an amazing jam--anyone could grab a musical instrument (keyboard, drum sets, African drum, guitar) or microphone (for singing, reciting a poem, reading a cooking recipe, reading a business English guidebook, or really anything) and improvise as they got inspiration. I was mostly playing my handdrum. These artists were crazy bunch and really amazing! They were not afraid of taking a risk to do even the most ridiculous things (such as reading a "how to cook a chicken" recipe during this impro) !! There were many chaotic moments as it often happens during a jam, but there were some awesome moments that all this chaos became together and flowed. We felt really good.

This was very special for me. It somehow reminded me about a drum circle I loved when I was in Calgary. I really love jamming.

After the performance, many of us went out for a aftershow party, too.