My First Otafest Aurora - Part 1

I must confess, it's been a three years since my last anime con. When I became a Calgary Events Examiner, I decided that now, I have an excuse to attend every music geek, pet geek and geeky geek event that I can squeeze into my schedule. So now, it IS my job and my duty to other geeks to go and report it! First up: Otafest Aurora. A huge thank you is in order (as well as full disclosure is required in these matters). I did purchase a general admission ticket and asked Gareth Lypka of Otafest Public Relations to let me know if anyone had a gala pass they had to get rid of. Well, one did become available and I was given a Gala Pass. どうも ありがとう ございました ("doumo arigatou gozaimashita") to the Otafest Staff for my reviewer's pass.

For those of you just tuning in, Otafest Aurora is a one-day Calgary anime convention. This year, 1,176 otaku attended the event on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at the U of C's downtown campus. That's twice as many as last year's anime con.

Otafest Aurora, formerly called "Otafest Lite" is a chibi version of the main Otafest Convention, held on the May long weekend. This is the second year that Otafest Aurora has taken place.

First Stop: The Otafest Aurora Vendor Room

When I arrived at 11 a.m., the Vendor Room was a happening place. There were 40 vendors at this year's anime con. It was a little cramped at times, so it was good to go a couple of different times.

My first stop was to say hi to Cindy, my classmate from the Calgary Japanese Language School. Her booth was extremely busy. Cindy-san said that didn't have a chance to get all her merchandise on the tables when the first wave of customers came.

I was good. Really good. I didn't buy much and I didn't break the bank. However, I did buy items that I know I'll get a lot of mileage out of.

At the Nerd Loft, I purchased a Shingeki no Kyojin Survey Corps patch. I was debating over whether to get the full set in anticipation of a SnK cosplay, but after speaking with several of the SnK cosplayers, decided that an Attack on Titan cosplay is beyond my time and abilities to put together.

I picked up a pixelated Charizard and Bulbasaur for a Christmas gift. Note to self, I must contact Chelsea Kerr of Pixel Clips to commission Volpix and Squirtle.

My biggest purchases were my Fullmetal Alchemist Watch set and my Otafest Aurora hoodie. I've wanted an FMA pocket watch for ages! It really didn't take much to convince me and the otaku after me to buy a set each. Arigatou, Random Array!

My Otafest Aurora Hoodie is so warm. It's perfect for a week like this one. Gareth said that the hoodies are American Apparel, so they are very good.

My final purchase was a fuzzy Domo-kun tote bag. A steal of a deal at $10.

Cosplay and More Cosplay

I saw some incredible cosplay throughout the day.  The fact that so many were hand made was simply incredible. These are some of the cool cosplay outfits I saw:

Travelling to Japan with Jessica Roh

Jessica Roh from Anything Goes, gave an informative presentation on 10 things we need to know before we travel Japan. In actuality, her tips are good for travelling anywhere:

1. Plan and prepare: Do your research. Ask yourself the W5 (who, what, where, when, why, how)

2. Get immunized

3. Be early for everything

4. Pack less

5. Protect your important documents

6. Learn key phrases in Japanese (or the native tongue of your destination)

7. Arrange for someone trustworthy to take care of things at home

8. Pre-book your accommodation

9. Book tours in advance

10. Document everything

This is just Part 1. Click on the following links to check out the rest of my first Otafest Aurora experience: Part 2 of My First Otafest Aurora | My Otafest Aurora Review on Examiner.com | My Otafest Aurora Photo Album

Getting Excited for Otafest Aurora 2013

It's been a couple of years since I've attended an anime convention in Alberta (life gets in the way of serious geeking out, sometimes). So I was quite excited to hear about some of the events planned for Otafest Aurora 2013 (formerly "Otafest Lite"), which takes place on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at the University of Calgary's downtown campus.

For instance, I don't recall there ever being a gala at this Calgary anime convention, complete with dinner and entertainment. With it costing $40 for the Otafest Aurora Gala, I have a feeling that there will be a good chance of geeking out with my contemporaries. The Otafest Mixer and Mingler and an Introduction to Ballroom Dancing are other new-to-me events.

Special guests Andrea Libman (My Little Pony, DragonTales, The New Adventures of Madeline) and Tabitha St. Germain (My Little Pony, Death Note, Barbie Thumelina) will be hosting a session on voice acting and will be available for autographs. My pals from the Nintendo cover band THWOMP will be performing and hosting a panel. The timing is wonderful, seeing as they are currently recording their latest album and will have new music and experiences to share.

There are also staple events for Otafest, Otafest Aurora and other anime conventions, such as the cosplay contest, AMV's, the vendor room, improv, video games and Otafest Idol. Then of course, there are anime viewings.

Tickets for this one-day Calgary anime convention are $20 festival admission and $60 for festival admission plus Gala pass.  For Otafest Aurora's complete schedule, map and tickets, head to Otafest's website. I'll be reviewing this Calgary event on Examiner.com. それを楽しみにしてください!

Highlights from the 2013 Calgary Omatsuri

The 2013 Calgary Japanese Festival - the Calgary Omatsuri - has come and gone. It was a splendid event, with a wide range of programming, entertainment and demonstrations to give attendees of a taste of Japanese culture, history and traditions. We could not have asked for a better day. It was sunny (most of the time) and it was hot on August 17, 2013.

As I mentioned in my last post, Omatsuri Entertainment Director, Kathleen "Irulanne" Boucher asked me to document the Japanese Festival and to interview as many performers as I could. It made for a long day, but I had a blast! たのしかった です。

I did a bit of an experiment with the recording. My gear for the day comprised of my GoPro Hero2 camera, my keitai (used as a wi-fi remote/viewing screen) and my Zoom H2 portable recorder (used as an external microphone). The fish eye effect was rather neat with the GoPro. I even managed to film while dancing the Tanko Bushi, although I got motion sickness from just watching the clip when I started moving the camera as a shovel. Not to worry, I didn't include that part in my vlog.

The interviews were great. I managed to interview Martial Simard (shakuhachi), Dave Rathnow, Roku-Dan Iaido practitioner and instructor at Shin Ken Kai Nobara, Midnight Taiko Kai, Mizue Asai-Kaufmann and Kaori Akiyama (koto players), Anything Goes, the Kotobuki Senior Group, two musicians from the Jpop and Anime Talent Show and finally, the Minyo Dancers from Lethbridge, They will form the next few posts.

I was quite sad to hear that the the sword making demonstration was cancelled. In hindsight, it would have been very difficult for me to cover that session AND all the programming outside.

The children's games, such as this one pictured below, sold out quickly:

Inside, there were several booths, showcasing Japanese handcrafts, tea, snacks and the Calgary Japanese Community Association's history project: Okage Sama De ("I Am Because of You"). Some of the events that took place inside included an ikebana demonstration as well as a green tea presentation.

Making its debut at the Calgary Omatsuri was the Shogun Grill Food Truck, run by the family that owns Foster's Bakery. The takoyaki was so flavourful and tender:

Gomen! I forgot to take a food porn shot of my okonomiyaki and my mochi balls.

All right, without further ado, here's my first vlog of Calgary Omatsuri highlights on my new otaku/geek awesomeness channel on YouTube, ChibiSamuraiTV:

Music by The Duke and Harry Connick Jr., A CJO Concert Review

Soulful sounds and funky grooves marked the CJO's final jazz concert of the 2010/11 season. The Calgary Jazz Orchestra played to a full house when members took to the stage Sunday, April 10, 2011 at River Park Church.

The first half of the programme featured the music of Duke Ellington, an American arranger, band leader, jazz composer and pianist from the Cotton Club era. The music of New Orleans actor, composer and jazz vocalist, Harry Connick Jr. comprised the second half. Connick Jr. burst onto the music scene with his soundtrack to When Harry Met Sally.

Opening Act Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School Jazz Band

The Jazz Band from Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School in Calgary, Alberta warmed up the audience with three numbers. They performed “Idiom '59 Part II” by Duke Ellington, “Blue Serge” by Mercer Ellington and “Orange Colored Sky” by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein.

Under the direction of Jonathan Bell, the E.P. Scarlett Jazz Band has performed at various festivals and competitions in Alberta. Most recently, they received the top award at the the 2011 Alberta National Band Festival.

Classic Duke Ellington Featured in the CJO's First Set

Drummer Greg Baker encouraged the audience to help set the tempo for the first number while the rest of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra members were getting ready. The group opened with “Play the Blues and Go”. This upbeat number featured solos by Gerry Hebert on clarinet, Shane Statz on tenor sax, Al Muirhead on trumpet, Dave Reid on trombone, Rich Harding on alto sax and Kodi Hutchinson on bass.

Special guest, jazz vocalist Hazel Proctor received a warm welcome. She came on stage to sing “Mood Indigo”. Proctor performed with the CJO at the December “A Perfectly Frank Christmas” concert. She sings with the Dixie Boppers in Calgary, Alberta and has performed at Dixieland jazz festivals throughout Canada and the US.

One of the highlights from the first half was “It Don't Mean a Thing”. This toe-tapping number featured many stunning solos. Shane Statz presented a weaving solo, while Kim Beachum delivered a fast and furious solo on trumpet. The fingers of each member of the rhythm section were a blur during their respective solos. Rich Harding's solo showcased his superb sense of phrasing. The song accelerated dramatically to the double bar line.

Other songs featured in the first set included “In a Mellow Tone”, “Solitude” and Ellington's arrangement of “In the Hall of the Mountain King” from Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite. “Solitude” put the spotlight on Gerry Hebert on soprano saxophone and multi-instrumentalist Dave Reid on euphonium.

Sultry Jazz, Witty Quips and the Music of Harry Connick Jr. Mark the Second Half

The CJO kicked off the second half with “Blue Light Red Light”, a medium tempo number which featured director Johnny Summers on vocals. While the second number was being introduced, a cell phone rang in the audience. “Go ahead and get it,” quipped Summers. “Buy low, sell high,” he added, which garnered a few laughs. Summers really shone in “Jill”. This number featured the rhythm section, as well as Shane Statz.

The programme wrapped up with a New Orleans funk number, “Mind on the Matter”. Special guest Spencer Cheyne joined Greg Baker on drums. Dave Reid's solo included a musical quote of “In the Hall of the Mountain King”. Pianist Egor Ukolloff delivered his funky solo with impressive technical fluency. Johnny Summers sang and later performed a solo on trumpet. Baker and Cheyne traded two's with the rest of the band. Bakers also added his vocals during the head. Other performed included “Last Payday”, “Spot” and “It Had to Be You”, which Connick Jr. sang on the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack.

There was a pregnant pause after the final round of applause at the end of the programme. It was if the audience was waiting for Summers to say something else, or for drummer Greg Baker to yell “Encore!” as he did at the ENTERTAINMENT! Concert.

“Now what?” asked Summers. Turning back to the band, he added that although the programme was done, no one was moving. Only then did members of the audience ask for an encore. “This is the freakiest encore ever,” Summers added. The CJO obliged by performing “Come By Me”. The audience rose to its feet in a standing ovation for several minutes afterward.

Calgary Jazz Orchestra Unveils Its 2011/2012 Concert Season

The CJO divulged its 2011/2012 concert season. Upcoming concerts will feature the music of Chet Baker, Billie Holliday and Frank Sinatra. It will also showcase music from Cuba.

Subscribers can buy season tickets on the Calgary Jazz Orchestra website for $85 prior to August 1, 2011. Subscriptions will go up to $90 after August 1. Single tickets will be available for $25 each.

About the Calgary Jazz Orchestra

The CJO was founded by director Johnny Summers in 2004. This concert featured Gerry Hebert, Rich Harding, Dr. Jeremy Brown, Shane Statz and Sarah Matheson on the saxophone. Hebert, Harding and Brown also played the clarinet on selected numbers. The trumpet section is comprised of Johnny Summers, Kim Beachum, Gordon Wilhelm and Al Muirhead. Brian Walley, Jim Scott, Mike Thomson and Dave Reid make up the trombone section, while Egor Ukolloff (piano), Kodi Hutchinson (bass) and Greg Baker (drums) form the rhythm section.

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra ended its 2010/2011 concert season by performing to a full-capacity audience on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at River Park Church. The concert featured big band jazz arrangements of music by the “Cotton Club King”, Duke Ellington, as well as New Orleans crooner Harry Connick Jr. The CJO's 2010/11 season has been an entertaining ride, with varied programming, well-played jazz and plenty of laughs.

Originally published on Suite101.com on April 13, 2011. Updated August 7, 2013.

Review of Johnny Summers – Piano Sessions Vol. 1 CD Release Concert

Calgary multi-instrumentalist Johnny Summers and friends delivered an intimate and passionate performance on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the University of Calgary's Rozsa Centre. The event was a CD Release Party to introduce Summers’ third jazz album, Piano Sessions Vol. 1.

The Calgary event also featured Chris Andrew on piano, Al Muirhead on trumpet, Jason Valleau on bass and vocals, Sheldon Valleau on ukulele and vocals and finally, Shane Statz on tenor sax. Johnny Summers performed on vocals, trumpet and flugelhorn.

Swing, Ballads and Blues Featured in Johnny Summers' Piano Sessions Vol. 1

The concert opened with "She Thinks that I Still Care". Unlike with George Jones' original country stylings, this interpretation was injected with a "hot summer's day in New Orleans" feel.

The dramatic pauses at the ends of key phrases set a playful tone to the number. The trumpet and piano solos were longer than they were on the album, giving Johnny Summers and Chris Andrew an opportunity to really expand on their ideas.

Between numbers, Johnny explained some of his inspirations for recording this jazz album.  Listening to great crooners such as Harry Connick Jr. and Tony Bennett, as well as instrumentalists Bill Evans, Chet Baker and Paul Blaine instilled the idea of an album featuring piano and voice. "That's beautiful to me," he said.

"You're extremely exposed," he divulged. Johnny added, "You have to have a good sense of time."

During the recording sessions, four additional songs were recorded, which didn't make it onto the album: "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland", "Look for the Silver Lining" and "Mood Indigo." The classic Christmas songs were bundled together in Winter Wonderland.  The other two made it onto Saturday's programme.

Jerome Kern & B.G. DeSylva's "Look for the Silver Lining" was made famous by Chet Baker. This medium swing song had a light, breezy feel to it.

Chris' solo was peppered with syncopated rhythms and impressive runs. In contrast, Johnny's solo on his brand new Yamaha flugelhorn was tender and warm, gradually blossoming into each a high point. Partway through, the groove became more animated and the two traded 4's.

The ballad "Maybe This Time" has been recorded by many artists, including crooner Tony Bennett. Johnny shared some of his memories of hearing Bennett sing live in concert. "He walks on stage...and you feel the electricity...When he sings, he fills you."

Johnny's interpretation was soulful and wistful, with an unhurried tempo throughout. That made the climax more impassioned. The piano shakes were performed in a dreamy fashion.

Jason and Sheldon Valleau of the band, The Polyjesters, lent their talents to "My Baby Just Cares for Me". This jazz standard by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn has been considered the signature piece of Nina Simone.

This medium swing number featured a soft, easygoing piano solo by Chris. The crescendo towards a soft, fermata in Johnny's trumpet solo was a short reprieve before the melody shot up to the instrument's upper register. The lyrics were delivered with a cheeky and humourous flair. The impromptu "doo-doo-doo" at the end of the tag was by Sheldon was a nice touch.

Variety, Extended Solos and Delightful Surprises at Johnny Summers CD Release Concert

One of the highlights in the second set was Nat King Cole's "I'm an Errand Boy for Rhythm". After a slow introduction on voice and piano, the mood shifted to a lively upswing. The interlude featured a rhythmic piano solo, followed by Al's elegantly shaped phrases. In contrast, Johnny's trumpet solo weaved and raced to the top with rapid runs. The trumpet dialogue between Al and Johnny was playful. At times, it sounded just like scatting. Other times, it sounded like a car race.

This interpretation of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo" had shades of Nina Simone. It featured solos by Shane Statz on tenor sax, Johnny on trumpet and Chris on piano.

The final song of the evening was a rousing performance of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues". One of the most delightful things about music is that you never hear the same performance twice. This was especially true in this case.

The piano intro was extended for the live performance, gathering momentum just as a train does when it pulls out. The sax solo was grittier, exploring the lower range of the instrument. In contrast, Al's solo was lighter and higher, much like birds chirping. Chris' solo featured a  healthy dose of "crunchy" chords and driving rhythms, while Johnny's trumpet solo spun and shot up - higher - and higher.

Jason performed a percussion solo on his bass before Johnny and Jason scatted. Jason's surprise trumpet-like squeal led to various instruments being imitated.

The entire audience rose quickly to give everyone a standing ovation. The ensemble performed one encore, "St. James Infirmary."

Six more songs were performed at the Piano Sessions Vol. 1 CD Release. Four more other songs were performed in the first set: "Dream a Little Dream of Me", "You Don't Know Me", "Going Home" and "Exactly Like You". The second half also featured "I Wonder, I Wonder" and "Simple Song".

Piano Sessions Vol. 1 Concert Review

From the opening line, the balance between the voice and piano and later, the remaining instruments, was nothing short of perfect. The ensemble made full use of the acoustics that the Rozsa Centre offers, delivering a crisp and clear sound. They definitively demonstrated that the album's Global Music Awards for Best Listener Impact and Best Male Vocalist are well deserved.

Technical proficiency, when coupled with artistry, is a winning combination. What more could a performer or listener ask for? Well, perhaps for the lead vocalist to not have strep throat, perhaps.

The live performance offered listeners different type of performance. Feeding off the energy from the audience and the ensemble can push a musician to new heights of artistry. This manifested on Saturday into spontaneous moments of brilliance that lead to new directions for improvisation. Yes, live was slightly different from the album, but just as beautiful in its own right.

About Johnny Summers

Johnny Summers is a Calgary-based multi-instrumentalist who performs jazz, soul, gospel, blues and almost everything in between. He's a singer and songwriter, as well as a trumpet and flugelhorn player. As the director of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra, he serves as composer, arranger and band leader.

Piano Sessions Vol. 1 is currently available on CD Baby and iTunes on March 16, 2013. Click here to read my album review.