AT LAST, MORE LIVE MUSIC IN FUKUOKA - Well, kiss of death Sue reporting on something that will undoubtedly close by the time this makes it to press; but , if it hasn't, get your boogying buns over there. A friend and I, and a grand total of about ten others in the audience basked in an excellent night of soul, R&B, motown and damn fine music. Detroit International consists of a four piece band and four vocalists of varying pitches and specialities who perform five sets, six nights a week. All the performers hail from Detroit and were brought over specifically for this gig. The four singers solo on songs that suit their specific talents with the other three harmonising; Tina belts out Aretha songs true to the priestess of rock, Michael croons, in a surprisingly high voice for such a big man, Steven and Tyrone provide the melodies and the more than competent band seal the whole package.The 3,000yen cover charge isn't such a disaster as it includes ´2,000 worth of food and drink vouchers, the drink sizes are generous and prices reasonable if your vouchers run out (400yen - beer, 700yen most cocktails) and you can settle yourself into the comfy couches for the whole evening ( 8.20 - 3.00 ) without that usual pressure to move on after the customary two hours. What amazes me is that they can approach the performance with such enthusiasm and professionalism even with a tiny week day audience. Well worth a visit and not worth my kiss of death, but there you go. Rumour has it that the show may close mid August although could return later in the year. 1,000yen for a great night's entertainment in club comfort makes this the bargain of the month.

Detroit International, Palladium, 8F Spoon Building, Nakasu Kawabata, ph: 282-9739
(SB)

Mary Leah At Roots
On July 6th God re-created not small Bolero nor big Bolero nor J-men nor half a dozen other incarnations but Roots band space. Yay, live music! I don't know what happened earlier in the evening, but when I arrived Mary Leah and her new (some of whom were rallied together in 24 hours ) band were ready to open with a jazzy, souly, rock meets South America set. A few expected first night glitches did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of Fukuoka's starved for music crowd and we had a blast. Paul White on sax, flute, vocals, and anything else I missed, overcame wretched health to provide a couple of admirable saxy, sensual numbers and Mary Leah, herself, really does have it, as shown particularly in her last number, glitches ironed out. A 500yen cover charge won't break the bank but, be warned, the drinks are a tad on the wee size and in (god, horrors) plastic cups - I thought I'd left those behind in puked on Sydney pubs. After the live music, disco was provided into the wee hours downstairs while hard core drinking, oh, sorry, conversation, continued in the newly renovated ( thanks J-Men management ) upstairs. No complaints.
SB

"It's the essence of being a Hakata Man" a friend of mine on the Higashi Nagare Yamakasa team told me before the race. While his comment made me feel even more select and privileged to participate in this ancient race of preserving good health, it didn't help me understand it one bit. First off all the Fundoshi is very comfortable. If it were easier to put on I'd wear it once a week. It does require someone to assist in the process of getting dressed. There was one strong pull that didn't feel good and resembled a wedgie from boy scouts, but after 3 minutes the discomfort faded and my voice was down to a soprano. The shoes are the most uncomfortable bits of the whole uniform, but given the choice of a few honest blisters and toe discomfort , versus being trampled by Japanese mod, I took the first option. The rope that is held around the support poles is necessary and THE most important accessory, the float feels like the under belly of a mechanical bull, with the rope being he only means of contact .

Carrying the float was painful - and even though I carried it for only five blocks, gave me a bump on my shoulder. that sticks out like Fuji-san. Even pushing the float was more gruelling than I had expected. 5 Km isn't that much of a distance, but during the race I lost all concept of time. It was, despite the pain, a lot of fun, I don't know where the money comes from, where it goes, what the winner gets - or almost any of the other things associated with the Yamakasa festival. A fellow gaijin I met during the race put it all down to male bonding - and after taking part, it is still the best explanation I can come up with.
Trey Burley

Shukosha to re-enter English Magazine market. Planning Shukosha, publishers of the hugely successful "Fukuoka" magazine and until recently publishers of "Radar" will re-enter the English language magazine market later this month with "Metro" magazine. With an initial design by Intercom, who used to publish Kyushu Journal and who also do the design for Fukuoka-ken's "Kokusai Hiroba" Magazine, "Metro" will start at 8 pages and will focus, we understand, on listings and information. It will be free, funding coming from the publisher and from advertising. Look out for it end of August, with a "taster" edition in early to mid-August.

Lord Muck wishes the very best of British luck to "Metro" publisher, Planning Shukosha, and the very best of Australian to its editor, Steph. Gartelman. GG.

Club Mac Hakata President Robert Chartrand described it as "worth a look but nothing special". The most exciting thing we found was in a Gomi pile on the way - an old Stylewriter printer still in good condition..

Bamboo Net's Nick Szasz had a stall at the exhibition and reported reasonable sales to Japanese of "Bamboo Net" starter kits.