Baby Announcement
Newlyweds Gamu and Jun Watanabe welcomed their son Kumbirai into the world on April 21st. Weighing in at 3,802g, he was the biggest baby in Toono Hospital at the time! The new family recently left for London – sayonara and good luck!
Philippine Independence Day Party
Fukuoka’s Filipino community gathered at Garcon on Sunday, June 10th, to celebrate the Philippines’ 109th Independence Day. Guests were served a variety of Filipino dishes and were treated to traditional dance performances, and rousing renditions of popular tunes! If you’d like to get involved in the Filipino community, contact Aurora at auroragonzales@yahoo.com
The Lion of Salsa
Who better to headline the Isla de Salsa festival this year than Venezuelan music legend Oscar D’Leon? Best known for his “sensual salsa,” D’Leon is not just a great sonero (singer), but a showman who has been feeding his Latin flavors to a hungry international crowd for over 35 years. A nine-time Grammy nominee, he has recorded 50 albums to date and has performed in over 140 countries. If you’d like to experience his “true Latin sound,” don’t miss this rare opportunity to see one of salsa’s living legends! Get your tickets before they sell out! For more info: www.tiempo.jp or call 092-762-4100.
Championing Human Rights
Join Amnesty International Japan’s new English language group as they begin hosting a monthly Human Rights Film series in July. Watch a human rights related film at the Asumin NPO Center in Daimyo every first Tuesday and join in the open discussion afterwards. Japanese subtitles will be provided when possible. More details on www.amnestyfukuoka.org.
Bye-bye to Inge and Iwashita-san
We were blessed to have had Inge De Leeuw (English Editor extraordinaire) and Tomoyo Iwashita (Manager/Sales guru) as members of the Fukuoka Now family. We’re very sad to see the both of them go – the best of luck wherever your travels may take you!
Infinity – and Beyond!
Congratulations to Ryan and staff on the opening of Infinity, a brand-new stylish and spacious night club in Daimyo. Visit it at 3F CEPA Bldg., 1-12-52 Daimyo. Tel: 092-711-8828
Jambo 2nd Anniversary
A warm African welcome was extended at Jambo Africa’s 2nd anniversary bash on Sat., June 16 at Ashok’s Bar. The party included a live African band, a dance trio, Kenyan food and even Tusker beer! Open daily from 21:00 till late. Tel: 092-526-5835
Hitting it Big
During the weekend of August 4 and 5, the Kyushu Cricket League will invite eight teams to participate in the inaugural Kyushu Cricket 8’s at the Ozeki Sports Ground in Kurume (09:00 ~ 17:00). Find cricket slow or uneventful? Think again – an 8’s game sees a lot more fast action and it’s the first time a cricket tournament of this size has been staged in Kyushu. Email: kyushu_cricket@yahoo.com
