Let’s hope for great weather during the rapidly approaching 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and that Jim Barker’s fabulous cartoon remains just that!

Jim Barker Cartoons & Graphics!

The FIRST ever Kyoto Fringe Festival took place on the Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June at the VasantaMala Indian Dance Institute in Kyoto, Japan.  Shakti confirmed that the Kyoto audience were rather different from the Tokyo audience.  Outwardly there was more of a wider age range from elderly 92 year old’s to younger children aged 6-7 years with parents constituting that in-betweenie age range.  Being slightly further south, the Kyoto weather was a lot better.

After performing at the 2009 Tokyo Fringe Festival, Marni Rice, the Chanteuse accordion player  took her show, De Joux Musique, to the first ever Kyoto Fringe Festival.  Accompanying her was the flamboyant Mika Haka with his show “Timaru” which also showcased at the 2009 Tokyo Fringe Festival at the end of May.

As well as managing and running the Kyoto Fringe, Shakti took to the stage with her show, “Eros of Love and Destruction”, a new creation to celebrate the first ever Kyoto Fringe Festival.

The Kyoto artists enjoyed their time in this unique ancient city.  Marni Rice enjoyed touring around the exquisite Japanese temples ringing the bells, whilst Mika visited all the fashion stores in downtown Kyoto.  Both enjoyed themselves in totally different ways and a superb first fringe festival was enjoyed by all.

It’s on to the Avignon OFF 2009 with The Garage International…

“Whether the weather be fine, or whether the weather be not…”,  Japan’s temperature varies from cool in the north to tropical in the south.  With cherry blossom season fluttered to the winds, two fantastic Japanese fringe festivals enjoyed a very successful run.  The first of them being…

The THIRD Tokyo Fringe Festival which took place over the last three days of May at the Shakti Studio in Tokyo.  With “Collaboration & Communication” as their theme, Shakti was in touch to confirm that all went very well indeed.  They received packed houses at each performance with an appreciative audience enjoying the multi-talented local and international artists. The talented line up included:

Marni Rice with her show, De Joux Musique - “Songs of an Immigrant: Tales from Paris”, (New York, USA).

Mikhail Tank – with his show, “Soul Photography”, a theatre of psychological performance art, (Los Angles, USA).

Mika Haka and his dynamic voice in his show, “Timaru”, (Christchurch, New Zealand).

Egiku Hanayagi and her group of creative dancers with their show, “Homage to the Earth”, (Tokyo, Japan).

“Shiva” Belly Dance Dojo with her show, “Oriental Belly Dance”, (Tokyo, Japan).

The massively strong, Fugofugo Yumeji and Munenori Sawa with their exciting underground wrestling show called, “Exit” which was a sell-out at the 2009 Adelaide Fringe, (Tokyo, Japan).

Andrew Bush’s documentary film about the Ninja called “Heart, Sword and Perseverance”, (Alabama, USA).

Groundplay Entertainment’s new short film about a foreigner living in Japan called “My Ex-Girlfriend’s TV”, (UK / Japan).

Mieko Nishimura’s beautiful Buddhist paintings called “Sora”, (Kyoto, Japan).

Mieko Misawa as Jungle Mom with her “BODY” graphic poster artwork exhibition (Tokyo, Japan).

And last but not least we have the two founders of the TFF, Shakti & Dwayne Lawler who not only direct, produce and run the festival but make sure to perform in it too!

Dwayne Lawler and Yoshiko Naruse showcase a 20 minute black comedy called  “Clown vs Girl” (Sydney, Australia).

Then there is Shakti with her energy giving show “Kundalini Yoga Workshop” (Japan/India).

And finally, Shakti and her semi-improv show “1001 Nights”, where the audience are invited to bring in their choice of music the night before (Japan/India).

Apparently the weather in Tokyo was terrible during the Fringe - pouring rain!  Sadly they were unable to use their rooftop bar to mingle and socialise with members of the public afterwords.  Nevertheless, nooks and crannies are always found and the artists mingled and socialised with their very happy audience.

Check out what happened at the Kyoto Fringe Festival tomorrow…

Round oval multi-coloured luminous eggs themed the launch of the 63rd Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme.  This exciting out of the box visual viral symbolizes anticipation of the Fringe - engage that imagination to find out what’s inside the egg!

Perhaps it also heralds an interesting observation - a beginning possibly; the most promising being, Kath M Mainland as the new Chief Executive of the Fringe Society.   Taking the reins after last year’s unfortunate events, there was considerably less raz at this year’s launch held at the EICC compared to last year.   We should be gratefull however, that with a recession in full swing, the Fringe’s programme stats are up!  A promising light at the end of the tunnel perhaps?   So sit back and watch the video, there’s great information to be gleaned and so much more interesting than a long read.  Eggs-actly!

It’s such a refreshing change to celebrate Burns by exploring one of the more fundamental influences of his life - his family.  After all, if it weren’t for family, what are we?  As part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 festivities, members of The Grants Braes Burns Club of East Lothian have uniquely championed the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns with an inspiring  tribute to “The Mother of All Burns”.

Written and directed by the acclaimed BAFTA award winning playwright, Andrew Dallmeyer, this superb  dramatic programme of song, music and verse celebrates the intriguing family connection of Robert Burns with the county of East Lothian.   As early as last year, this strong historical theme was also present in another of Andrew Dallmeyer’s much acclaimed works, The Battle of Pots ‘n’ Pans which premiered in Prestonpans and also at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

As The Mother of All Burns, Juliet Cadzow of Balamory fame superbly captures the spirit of Agnes Broun as she scales the depths of this character and resurrects those sunken sensations of a distant past.  She skilfully reveals to the audience a most fascinating individual, highly intelligent, albeit sadly illiterate who passed on to Burns the traditional songs and ballads that made her son the much loved and celebrated poet he is today.

As they say, no great story should be without great music and Coreen Scott’s beautiful voice, utterly joyful, fills the grand vaulted ceiling of The Great Hall at Lennoxlove, (the estate which Burns’ brother Gilbert was employed as Factor).  Coreen is a member of the lively folk trio, Laverock which I was lucky enough to see at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2007… and bought the CD too ~ just superb!!

The simple humanity of The Mother of All Burns is a superbly crafted piece of work.  Bob Mitchell & David Murray from The Grants Braes Burns Club are top-notch in their supporting roles which local audiences thoroughly enjoyed.  Hopefully this most refreshing of dramatic works will be seen again and again…

Article by, Shakti, Artistic Director, The Tokyo Fringe, The Kyoto Fringe and The Garage International.

The 1st Kyoto Fringe Festival will take place on June 6 and 7, 2009 at the VasantaMala Indian Dance Institute in Kyoto.

The intimate space will welcome the most daring and adventurous international artists who will have the challenge of communicating and collaborating with the residents of the ancient capital of Japan.

The First KFF will host Marni Rice (De Joux Musique)  with her lovely voice, accordion playing and story.  “Songs of an Immigrant:  Tales from Paris”  will be open the KFF.

It will be followed by wild and outrageous gay Maori entertainer, Mika Haka with his new show, “Timaru”. Tribal meets Las Vegas.  Mika is definitely one of a kind and is ready to stun the quiet Kyoto audience.

The final of the trilogy of shows is Shakti, a well known and loved personality and dancer in Kyoto which is the city where she was born.  Shakti is the first foreigner to receive the Kyoto Prefectural Government’s Arts and Culture Medal of Honour for her unique and innovative dance.

With 3 unique artists coming from New York, New Zealand and India/Japan, the 1st KFF is bound to awe and give the audience a taste of world art and culture.  The artists in return will be welcomed with the warm hospitality of Japan.  After the shows there will be a time for the audience to meet the artists and communicate with them.

Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, shall be hosting the most avant garde festival, the Fringe.

1.    What inspired you to become an artist, performer, musician, writer and dancer?

As a child I was performing my way into a special world – as an adult its now a space that is like a safe peaceful world.

2.    What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Tokyo and Kyoto Fringe Festivals?

Timaru to Tokyo and Timaru to Kyoto is about a tour celebrating my return to my home village in New Zealand / Aotearoa – named Timaru and then travelling to one of my favourites place in the world Japan to share the experiences of my home town in NZ to a non-English speaking nation – this is a voyage of discovery.

3.    What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

Tokyo Fringe 07 – it was a time of self discovery.

4.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

Funniest – being able to laugh at myself is the best – the worst is when I can’t laugh at myself.

5.    What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

Live life like there’s no tomorrow – that’s the best and I continue to live like that.

6.    What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

Being able to be an artist and a producer of my own work allows me the freedom of not having to grovel to different producers to be included in their TV, film or stage projects – I have true creative freedom.

7.    Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]?

Bob Marley – He believed in Love, Eartha Kitt – even at 81 she was still wooing them in NYC & Issey Miyake – to discuss pleats and 21_21.

8.    What is the best book or books you have read and why?

So many to tell you, I would fill your web pages…

9.    Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

I love salmon.
I love eggs.
I work out not enough and then too much.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

“Kotahitanga ma te rereketanga“- Unity thru difference – be different but be in unity with people who don’t think like you. Together we  make this planet not one group, but all of us.

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Check out more information about Mika Haka from his website, NZ Embassy website, Art-Search, UK Arts, Indie Store, YouTube, Gay NZ and the Amplifier Magazine.

1.    What inspired you to become an artist, performer, musician, dancer, writer, comedian, entertainer (please edit/add in how you would describe yourself here)?

I have expressed myself through art since early childhood, it’s a source of reconnecting to my spiritual roots, to recharging my own specific energy. It’s a natural gift that I chose to pursue.

2.    What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Tokyo / Kyoto  Fringe Festival?

Soul Photography is a show about creating Restore Points in one’s soul. When your computer crashes, you can press F8 and go back in time, I will explore how do something similar, in creating ‘Energy Soul Images’ within.

3.    What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

This is my 1st performance at a Fringe Festival. I am excited that I am going to Tokyo, to a culture I adore. My most recent show was last year and it took place in Los Angeles. The show was recognized by the Mayo.

4.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

The funniest moment was during a solo performance at UC Davis. I had a large sculpture of a cow on stage and when I stated something specific to the cow – the audience went into an uproar, it was such a surprise for me, it became a hit, something both mimicked and remembered.

5.    What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

I don’t believe in offering advice, I have come to a realization with my best friend Pj – that gifting perspective is the true gem.

6.    What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

I am proud to be a true artist, without boundaries or contracts. I would like for my art to be appreciated by those who may not have access or a reason to, as of yet.

7.    Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]?  And what culinary dish would you prepare?

I would invite Laurie Cabot, a good witch in Salem, Ms. Huston, a wonderful actress and a very special Rabbi, who is no longer with us. I would prepare Beluga Caviar sandwiches on freshly baked bread along with fresh squeezed Acai juice – as I am not much of a cook.

8.    What is the best book or books you have read and why?

My favourite books are Catcher in The Rye, My Life in Art by Stanislavsky & The Fushikaden by Zeami.

9.    Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs, I believe in magic, I believe in God & I highly respect the Shinto belief system.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

To destroy all diseases.

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check out Mikhail’s website, his MySpace and CD Baby web pages  and Twitter to learn more about him.

1.  What inspired you to become an artist, performer, writer and musician?

I consider myself a chanteuse-accordionist & theatre artist, which is to say I create pieces to play on stage with all of those elements combined.  I was surrounded by music as a kid, and loved old films. I would say Victoria Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin’s Daughter) most inspired me to create solo performance work combining disciplines.

2.    What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Tokyo and Kyoto Fringe Festival?

A personal story about being a stranger in a strange land, and how people in adverse circumstances find common ground.  Evocative and passionate songs from 1930’s Paris.

3.    What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

Montreal Fringe Festival, June 2008. It was great to be in a bi-lingual city where shows are French or English, and sometimes both. It’s completely possible to do a show in both languages and have an audience that will get the jokes on both sides.  It was a wonderful experience for me because as a result I created A bi-lingual script and premiered it in Montreal.

4.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

Some of these events are depicted in my show, because I like to expose the moments in life when “nothing is working” and you are trying your best. Failures. Mis-understandings and the like.

One of my worst experiences (at the time, although since has been one of my best experiences to have had) was when I was hired In a cabaret in Paris and although I could sing in French, I couldn’t speak very well and the owner insisted that I sing only one song and then “attempt” to speak French to the audience.  I guess you could say that was also the funniest, in retrospect.

5.    What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

Best Advice: “Create your own rules”. ( I have followed this).  And Worst Advice: Do what I tell you, because I say so!! (Every time I followed this, I regretted it.)

What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

I’m most proud of creating my solo show and touring internationally. This year I’m taking the show to Japan where I have never been, and France to premiere the French adaptation for a French speaking audience. I have also been invited to attend a Theater conference in Africa, and my goal is to tour my show in the French speaking regions.

7.    Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]?  And what culinary dish would you prepare?

Culinary dish: Shumai – hundreds of them.  (Japanese shrimp dumplings) which I really don’t know how to prepare, but it’s my all time favourite food.

James Dean – (Actor) to listen to the silence between his words.  Maria Callas – (Opera Singer) to hear her stories of going through a war zone to learn to sing at the Conservatory. Joe Kennedy (father of J.F.K) to see what approach he had in educating his children to be leaders.  Joseph Papp – (Creator and Founder of The Public Theater in New York.)  To ask him how he created a socialist cultural institution in the heart of a capitalist society?  Charlie Chaplain - (Film Maker/Actor) – To see what he had to say  about finding the truth in a story.

8.    What is the best book or books you have read and why?

Ancient theological books from various traditions.  I’ll never be finished with them, there’s too much to understand.

9.    Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?
I love hard core rock & roll, and raw self expression.
I always wanted to design shoes, because I can never find the kind I want.
I was born in New York City.
I cook a great Quiche.
I learned to play poker with my grandmother.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

Bring back the barter system to help restructure the world economy.

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For more information about Marni Rice, check out her website,  De Joux Musicque, MySpace and MySpace Group.

Article by, Shakti, Artistic Director, The Tokyo Fringe, The Kyoto Fringe and The Garage International.

The TFF (Tokyo Fringe Festival) commences at the end of May and offers you an interesting and a varied programme rarely seen in Japan.

We have an amazing lineup of artists from afar coming to share and communicate.  Here we are in Katsushika-ku, across the Arakawa (Ara River).  This is “Shitamachi”, the Fringe of Tokyo.   Asakusa with its charming little stalls and stunning Kannonji Temple is close by.  Shibamata, home of the famous movie star, Tora-san, is right by.

And in the midst of it is the small and intimate Shakti Studio.  Our theme is “Collaboration & Communication”.  We hope to bridge the gap between cultures, languages, art and people from all over the world.

Our exciting programme includes:

De Joux Musique -  “Songs of an Immigrant: Tales from Paris” (New York,  USA)
A tragic-comic auto-biographic tale of an American chanteuse who leaves her homeland with only an accordion and a handful of songs to discover the city of lights.  Marni Rice plays the accordion, sings and tells her story to you.

Mikhail Tank – “Soul Photography” (Los Angeles, USA)
Mikhail Tank has created a show where energy stored, can be re-accessed and infuse the soul with life. Prepare to be inspired and amused in Mikhail Tank’s theatre of psychological performance art.

Mika Haka – “Timaru” (Christchurch, New Zealand)
This gay Maori entertainer is one of a kind.  With a powerful presence and dynamic voice Mika will draw you into his world where Tribal meets Las Vegas.

Egiku Hanayagi – “Homage to the Earth” (Tokyo, Japan)
Creative Japanese dance performed by national arts award winning dancer, Egiku Hanayagi and her group.  This show will be also performed in Avignon in July.

“Shiva” Belly Dance Dojo – “Oriental Belly Dance” (Tokyo, Japan)
Belly dance has gained much popularity in Japan and one can see why in this exotic and lively show by Siva (Yasuyo Shibata) and her Belly Dance Dojo.

Exit – “Underground Wrestling” (professional wrestling) (Tokyo, Japan)
A sell-out at the Adelaide Fringe 2009.  Here is a chance to see this extreme hard core underground wrestling infused with martial arts in a tiny space. Featuring Fugofugoyumeji and Munenori Sawa.  Not for the faint hearted!

Andrew Bush Productions –“Heart, Sword and Perseverance” (Alabama, USA)
A documentary about the Ninja.  Who were these people actually?  What were their motives?  An insight into the Ninjas.

Groundplay Entertainment –“My Ex-Girlfriend’s TV” (UK  / Japan)
Groundplay is an independent film production company comprised of a dynamic group of individuals gathered from all around the world based in Tokyo.  This is their first short about a foreigner living in Japan who realizes that he can’t get rid of his ex-girlfriend’s TV without her help.

Mieko Nishimura – “Sora” visual art exhibition (Kyoto, Japan)
Buddhist painter, Mieko will display her colourful works of flowers and birds.

Jungle Mom – “BODY” graphic poster art exhibition (Tokyo, Japan)
Erotic and mysterious.  The 2 meter long scrolls will be hung outside the Shakti Studio from the roof balcony.

And last but not least we have the 2 founders of the TFF, Shakti & Dwayne Lawler who not only direct and produce and run the festival but make sure to perform in it in.

Dwayne Lawler – “Clown vs Girl” (Sydney, Australia)
A 20 min absurd comedy written and performed by Dwayne Lawler.  A nice comic relief in the festival!

Shakti – “Kundalini Yoga Workshop” (Japan/India)
Kundalini Tantra Yoga workshop focusing on using the breath as a powerful tool to generate energy and strengthen the body and mind.  To give you energy to go through the festival.

Shakti – “1001 Nights” (Japan/India)
An interactive performance which was a great hit in Adelaide.  The audience is invited to bring any music they want right before the show.  The dance will be created for you.  Every night - a different song, a different dance . . and so the story continues. . .

Dates:    May 29-31, 2009 (Friday – Sunday).
Times:  from 1:00- 8:30  (Check out The Garage International for details).
Place:      Shakti Studio (Katsushika-ku Horikiri 4-19-14 Tokyo 124-0006, Japan).
For information & reservation:  03 6822 3269  / TFF@TheGarageInternational.com

Shows are 1000-2000 yen each.  Purchase a TFF One Day Pass for 5000 yen which includes all shows on that day.  Relax over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at our rooftop bar between shows.

Meet the artists.

Communicate and Collaborate!