This coming weekends events presented by the Obvious circus.
Friday, March 11
Christchurch Rock Charity Event @ Taurus in Shinsakae from 19:00
The recent earthquake in New Zealand left so many people dead or injured, and even more homeless. If you have been looking for a way to help, RAN Magazine is once again bringing together a number of Nagoya’s most talented performers for a night of excellent music to raise some relief funds with the victims of this tragedy. Joining them on this night will be the Ghost of Matsubara, the Michael Wade Band, Bone Zero and Vinny Vintage. Afterwards, please stick around for the always fun DJ Babur, who will be spinning dance music until they kick him out! 1000 (1D)
Quest for the Rest vol. 16 @ K.D. Japon in Tsurumai from 18:30
Much like a child mixes together a bunch of random ingredients from the kitchen & somehow discovers a delicious treat; singer/songwriter Taka puts an eclectic selection of local musicians together to make a happy mistake for your ears. This time the traditional & sexual songs of Awoyagi Tsutomi, the faux-gaijin guitarist Jyonson Tsu & John no Son, a band who prefers lo-fo sounds & silence to music, are all in the mix. 2000 yen
Girls! Girls! Girls @ Gallery Psyche in Osu from 12:00
The Osu area is filled with secret treasures; side streets teeming with little shops & cafes you won’t normally find unless your being adventurous. It was on just such a daring romp that I came across photo & art Gallery Psyche, just a few blocks away from the temple. A quaint and unassuming art spot, Psyche offers artists & patrons alike 2 floors to share & enjoy all mediums. This weekend’s exhibit features talented women displaying a number of styles.
sarmale@night @ Sarmale in Shinsakae from 23:00
Moroccan DJx Youssef is bringing his eclectic collection of dance tracks from around the world to Nagoya’s only Romanian restaurant for a very unique night. Expect gypsy techno, Arabic house, Jamaican reggae, Latin dance & good ol’ American hip hop. All this great music comes on top of the already amazing menu that Sarmale offers. So, come for the delicious mamaliga, and stay for the dance party.
Nomihoudai Party Course @ Casablanca in Takaoka from 17:30
Sarmale’s sister restaurant is celebrating the glorious return of spring with an amazing deal on their exotic Moroccan food. Every Monday to Thrusday, you can get a 4 course meal plus 2 hours of all you can drink for a mere 3500 yen. On Friday, Saturday & Sunday, you will also get great food & drinks for 4500 yen, but it includes a belly dance show from 20:30. This is a great deal and your best chance to check out one of Nagoya’s most loved Arabian dining spots, but hurry. The special only last for a few months.
Under DEconstruction @ Brolo Café in Sakae from 17:00
The Gold Fingers art group is back with a show that features the works of 12 artists from 6 countries around the world. Organized by Italian photographer, Matteo Giachetti, there will be 3 new artists every 2 weeks until the end of April. This exhibit is the perfect opportunity to see some of the amazing art being made right here in Nagoya by both local & foreign artists. Now showing is the art of Carine Giachetti, Yuzuna Kishimoto & Milagros Kuga.
Dave’s Get F#&ked Friday @ Misfits in Imaike from 20:00
I popped into Misfits a few weeks for this drinking party, and, I must admit, my buddies and I had a fan-freaking-tastic time! Dave, Ian & the rest of the crew really now how to make anyone & everyone feel welcome! Which is the one thing you can always count on from the bad boy of Nagoya nightlife: everyone’s a Misfit here. All you can drink for 3 hours for only 1200 yen
Saturday, March 12
St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Osu Kannon from 12:30
This yearly gathering has everything you’d expect from a St. Patrick’s Day Parade and more. There will be Irish dancing, Irish music, Irish cothing, Irish setters &,of course, Irish beer! Always crowded on a Saturday, the Osu shopping arcade tends to get beyond capacity when you throw in several hundred more foreigners. So, get there early, get your face painted, get a good seat & get mé thar a bheith ólta! (how’s me gaelic?)
Parade After Party @ Shooters in Fushimi from 20:00
Once the parade is finished, you will have a number of places to head to continue the celebration. However, the number one spot this & every year is Shooters, just down the way from the parade site. The Guinness will be cheap (700 yen a pint), special Irish food will be available, and Irish Car Bombs are back on the menu. And if this North American approach to St. Patrick’s Day is unpalatable, find comfort in the traditional Irish music of Brian Cullen with guests Maria McNulty & Tom Fallon (he swears he’s got some Irish in his family!)
St. Patrick’s Day Party @ Red Rock in Sakae from 18:00
And if an Irish celebration at an American-style bar isn’t weird enough for you, Nagoya Friends are putting on their green at the big Red just behind the Chunichi Building in Sakae. You can get all you want to eat & drink for only 3000 yen. They will also be holding a contest with several fabulous prizes.
Rock That Boogie @ Club Upset in Ikeshita from 24:00
When the Tokyo swing band, Big Boy & the Jumpin’ Stars takes the stage with the Swamp Ratz, I imagine the cats & kittens in Nagoya Swings will be jump’n, jive’n & wail’n. ADV 2000 / DOOR 2500 (+1D)
Nagoya Metro Club @ LOVER:z in Shinsakae from 22:00
Nagoya’s most popular gay & lesbian party is throwing an Ides of March Ball… First St. Patrick’s day on the 12th and now this; I’m starting to worry that no one in this town owns a calendar. Regardless of missing the ides by a few days, Metro will still have fabulous drag queen shows & the hottest in dance music, just like Caesar would have wanted. Now, I am not certain if this is a toga party or not, but I guarantee wearing one would not make you stand out in the least! 2500 (2D)
The Rats @ Misfits in Imaike from 20:00
The Rats are bringing their spot-on covers of alternative rock classics like Nirvana’sSmells Like Teen Spirit & Pearl Jam’s Alive to the biggest little live house in Nagoya. Actually, that’s an unfair description of Misfits: everything they do is larger than life. After the Rats play at this already riotous establishment & the dust settles, I’m not sure Imaike will ever be the same! ¥500 music charge.
Three Kings @ Club JB’s in Sakae from 22:00
Dutch DJ/producer Shinedoe, one of the best queens of the mix, is holding court in Nagoya for one night only. Her minimal techno sounds are deceptively chill, with a strong underlying message: MOVE YOUR BOOTY! ADV 2500 / DOOR 3000
SMASH @ Club Mago in Shinsakae from 22:00
This monthly progressive house party features local-boy-done-good, DJ OGAWA and several others from his crew. If you’ve never been to Mago before, this one is a good place to start. ADV 2000 / DOOR 2500 (1D)
Daihachi Ryodan @ Tokuzo in Imaike from 17:30
This long-running rock band is returning to Tokuzo. And since they have been performing together for over 30 years, they’ve had quite a while to perfect their Latin-jazz-rock-reggae-psychedelic-enka-punk. They only do a few shows a year, so you better catch this one because no telling when the next one will be. ADV 2000 / DOOR 2300
First Step @ Domina, About, Sound Bar M’s in Sakae from 14:00
When I first wrote about this event for NAG MAG this month, it was free. Somehow, between now and then, they’ve slapped a “ADV 2000 / DOOR 2500 (1D)” price tag on it; which seems a lot to pay for 30 fresh DJs in their premiere gig, spinning multiple genres of music & trying their hardest not to screw up. Add that to the fact that part of the event takes places in M’s, which smelled like a toilet last I visited, and then I can no longer suggest this party for anyone.
Poison Show @ Shooters in Fushimi from 18:00
Local singer/songwriter, James Cloke has been extremely busy lately, hosting an acoustic live nearly every weekend for the past several months. This time out, they’re playing at whatever is left of Shooters after the parade on Saturday, with local musicians Michael Wade & Adam. And, as always, James’ band The Antidote will be there in all their awesomeness! 300 yen music charge
Monday, March 14
Fuji TV 2 Day Casting Call
This popular television network is looking for extras for an upcoming series, which is a sequel for a highly successful movie. I don’t have all the details, but I know they are looking for many different ethnicities for “United Nations type scenes.” The pay is 20,000 yen for 2 days of filming, and this includes a free lunch on Tuesday. For more information, please contact nagoyacasting@gmail.com.
Open Mic Mondays @ Misfits in Imaike from 20:00
Nagoya’s only English-friendly & weekly open mic is back! All levels are welcome to join the jam, and MISFITS provides the amps, mics, a drum kit and much more. All you really have to bring is your instrument… and perhaps a little talent.
Wednesday, March 16
Three-Tiered Hump Night @ Red Rock in Sakae from 20:00 – 23:00
The Red Rock invites you to get the woobly pot on with their new Wednesday drink-a-thon. The nomihoudai gets cheaper as the night goes on; from 20:00 is 2000 yen, from 21:00 is 1600 yen & from 22:00 is 1200 yen. And don’t forget their NEW half-price food menu during happy hour (17:00 – 19:00)! It’s a good way to bog in before you get off your face.
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