Full-Moon Party Gallery
Plenty of smiling faces at Fukuoka Now's "Full Moon Party" at With The Style Fukuoka on Oct. 17th; six-hundred and thirty three in fact! Besides just being a good time, some good was done too. Two-hundred thousand yen was raised via a charity raffle by event co-sponsor, Thai Airways International. All of the money was passed onto "Yamato Kosei Center", a welfare facility for mentally handicapped children in Fukuoka. Raffle prizes included a pair of return business class air tickets between Fukuoka and Bangkok, fully inclusive tour packages, and twenty more prizes. Special thanks to Thai Airways International for their support of the event and for supporting Fukuoka City's community. Also thanks to Orapan for her elegant classical thai dance performance and DJ Mifune. Check future issues of Fukuoka Now or the website for details on our next event.

Oktoberfest Fukuoka 2008
The second annual Fukuoka Oktoberfest festival was a smashing success this year. Just an evening affair back in 2007, this year the two-day event kicked off with a sell-out crowd of 600 beer drinking, sausage eating merry-makers! The next morning, under a blue sky, "Family Day" drew about 2,000 people. Children played Oktoberfest games, while adults enjoyed pretzels, beer, German sweets and of course, beer.

Sunset Live 2008
Sunset Live 2008, the grand finale of the summer enjoyed 3 days of fine weather and over 20,000 people on the shores of Key beach. Over 80 acts performed on three stages... and it was BIG.
...and at the Fukuoka Now booth we were busy shooting amateur models searching for a model for an upcoming cover of Fukuoka Now. Click here to view them and vote for your favorite.

Harvey Leder at Billboard Live
Canadian artist, and veteran performer on Fukuoka's live music scene, Harvey Leder and a long list of other local musicians performed at Billboard Live Fukuoka on Aug. 16. Both stages were near sellouts. For more info on Harvey and his latest release, "Rock Bottom" contact harveyleder@hotmail.com

Welcoming the New Jets
It's that time of year when fresh recruits on the JET (The Japan Exchange and Teaching) program land in Fukuoka to begin their jobs as foreign language educators and cultural ambassadors. Our cameras caught a few snaps at the official welcoming party for this year's group of 43 newbies. Welcome!

Isla de Salsa 2008
The annual two-day outdoor music festival celebrating Latin, Caribbean (and now other genres of music) moved to a new venue near Momochi Beach this year. Saturday was a smashing success as a crowd of 2,500 enjoyed performances by 8 bands, including world-famous "La 33" and 100 dancers! Unfortunately, a sudden thunderstorm caused Sunday to be canceled. Access NPO Tiempo Americano's website for ticket refund details www.isla-de-salsa.jp.

Fukuoka Now's Fireworks After Party
334 guests, many donning yukata or jimbei, made their way down to La Boheme Qualita after the Ohori Park Fireworks Festival for a night of drinks and entertainment. Highlights included a kakigori-eating game and a best-dresser contest with prizes for the winners. The international crowd was also treated to a stunning performance by a dance group from Tiempo Iberoamericano.