Posted on by sanjotown

Chinese Square Dancing Wending Road Yuhui District Shanghai China 11-2-2025

I visited Shanghai China on October & November 2025
While walking with my camera near my hotel in the evening I hurriedly put my camera on my tripod and began taking pictures of people dancing


In China, square dancing 广场舞 is a common form of community exercise and socializing in the evenings. It has simple dance routines that everyone can participate such as working people, seniors, and even youth. In Shanghai I saw mostly women and men dancing. People seem to participate to get exercise and have some fun while moving in sync to the beat of music on street corners. When I was photographing people were dancing to traditional music but I understand that modern music is also incorporated.

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Your donation will assist the stability and growth of the photography blog. It will assist specifically with internet blogging fees and promotion, computer maintenance, photographic equipment, and some travel expenses. Please make a one-time donation. Thank You.

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$2.00
$5.00
$10.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Posted on by sanjotown

San Jose Taiko at the San Jose Obon Festival July 12-13 2025

“Side Angle Drumming” Saturday July 12 2025 performance
“Two Drummers” Saturday July 12, 2025
Close up of drummer Saturday July 12, 2025
Beginning of set Saturday July 12, 2025
Sunday July 13, 2025 performance
Beginning of Sunday set on July 13, 2025
Senior & Junior members of San Jose Taiko July 13, 2025

San Jose Taiko performance was the highlight of the San Jose Obon on July 12-13 2025.

The group used a large open space to perform and entertain a large and very enthusiastic audience both days.

The outside venue perfectly showed their performance energy, ability, and skill.

Taiko is a happy and joyous activity that can bring people together.

Special thanks to the San Jose Buddhist Betsuin and San Jose Taiko

All Rights Reserved

Home

https://taiko.org/

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Your donation will assist the stability and growth of the photography blog. It will assist specifically with internet blogging fees and promotion, computer maintenance, photographic equipment, and some travel expenses. Please make a one-time donation. Thank You.

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$2.00
$5.00
$10.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Posted on by sanjotown

Japanese Wind Chimes

Japanese wind chimes at a Saitama Prefecture road stop 2023.


Japanese wind chimes or furin 風鈴 decorate Japanese houses in the summer. They consist of three parts: the bowl or exterior, known as the gaiken, the bell clapper, zetsu, and the furin, the tanzaku, strips of colorful paper that hang and flutter in the summer breeze. Wind chimes originated in China through fortune-telling called senfutaku. About 1200 years ago, they spread to Japan and were used in Buddhist temples to ward off evil spirits. Today Japanese people use furins to create a sense of coolness to get through Japan’s hot and humid summers.

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Your donation will assist the stability and growth of the photography blog. It will assist specifically with internet blogging fees and promotion, computer maintenance, photographic equipment, and some travel expenses. Please make a one-time donation. Thank You.

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$2.00
$5.00
$10.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Posted on by sanjotown

Dr. Seuss at Albertson Halloween House SJ

 

 

Albertson Halloween House San Jose October 31, 2024

 

The Albertson Halloween House is an annual Halloween community-based project in San Jose. Around 800 to 1500 trick-or-treaters and their parents visit the house every Halloween. It originated in 2002 and has been continuing every year. The theme in 2024 was Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss of Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904-1991) was a writer and cartoonist of over 60 books. His most famous bestsellers were “The Cat in the Hat” and Green Eggs and Ham.”

 

https://www.albertzone.com/halloween/

 

 

 

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Your donation will assist the stability and growth of the photography blog. It will assist specifically with internet blogging fees and promotion, computer maintenance, photographic equipment, and some travel expenses. Please make a one-time donation. Thank You.

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$2.00
$5.00
$10.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Posted on by sanjotown

SoFA Street Fair San Jose

Indie rock band “The Forbin”
“The Forbin”

The SoFA Street Fair in San Jose supports and promotes local music and local musicians and artisans in the SoFA community. Twice a year in April and September, the event hosts a street fair of 80-100 bands on more than 10 stages in just 2 blocks. There are also a large number of artisans participating in the festival. The SoFA Street Fair originated in 1992 to highlight the arts and theater district.

https://sofastreetfair.com

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Make YOUR DONATION WILL ASSIST THE STABILITY AND GROWTH OF THE PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG. IT WILL ASSIST SPECIFICALLY WITH INTERNET BLOGGING FEES AND PROMOTION, COMPUTER MAINTENANCE, PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT, AND SOME TRAVEL EXPENSES. PLEASE MAKE A ONE-TIME DONATION. THANK YOU.a one-time donation

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$2.00
$5.00
$10.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Posted on by sanjotown

25 Years at SAP Center San Jose

sharks simone biles

 

25 years at SAP Center San Jose celebrates the performers and artists who performed at the Center during that time. Included in the mural are local ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi, popular singer Adele, norteno group Los Tigres del Norte from San Jose, gymnast Simone Biles, the San Jose Sharks, rapper E-40, and legendary singer Elton John. The San Jose mural was organized by Empire Seven E7, an contemporary art gallery located in San Jose advocating for local/global artists and painted by the Los Angeles based The Draculas who focuses on illustration-based projects that find inspiration in narrative.

https://www.empiresevenstudios.com/

https://draculasdesign.com/

Posted on by sanjotown

San Jose Japantown Immersive May 12, 2018

swing-dance-sj-j-town
Swing dancers at the Swingposium

The San Jose Japantown Immersive was a inspiring and entertaining community cultural celebration of the local performing artists, artisans, and businesses who live or work in Japan-town held on May 12, 2018. It was also the 45 year anniversary of internationally known San Jose Taiko. The event was also a way for the public to understand the history and culture of Japan-town and it’s people. The highlight of the event was the breathtaking Swingposium with Wesley Jazz Ensemble, Epic Immersive, and San Jose Taiko and the Finale with The Get Down Dance Studio, DJ Cutso, and San Jose Taiko. There were also a public art piece with art studio Arsenal, swing dance lessons, Nichi Bei Busan kimono photo booth, old black and white samurai movies, and LED uchiwa fan making.

http://www.taiko.org/japantownimmersive

Posted on by sanjotown

Yokohama Jazz Promenade 2017

 

 


Group performing near Sakuragicho Station in Yokohama

I attended the impressive Yokohama Jazz Promenade 2017 in October. The festival was held on October 7th and 8th and included over several hundred jazz performers. The event was immense and it included about 33 venues, 25 jazz clubs, professionals and amateurs, and foreign musicians. The Jazz Promenade Yokohama was started in 1993 by citizens and musicians in Yokohama. Every year over 120,000 visitors attend the popular music festival. Yokohama is also called “Jazz Hometown of Japan.”
http://www.jazzpro.jp

Posted on by sanjotown

2016 San Jose Jazz Summer Fest with Denise Donatelli

d-donatelli
Denise Donatelli, a Grammy nominated jazz singer from New York, performed at the 2016 San Jose Jazz Summer Fest on Saturday, August 13th. Her evening show took people completely from their routine to enjoy the moment at Café Stritch. She magically transported the audience into her world of music with her positive energy, charm and charisma. Some of Denise’s noted songs include: 1. Soul Shadows 2. When Lights are Low 3. Ocean 4. Big Noise, New York.
Denise’s history begins from Allentown, Pennsylvania where she learned classical piano at the age of four. Later she was influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, and Miles Davis. The members of her band include: Geoffrey Keezer, piano, Leonardo Amuedo, guitar, Carlitos del Puerto, bass, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, drums, and Walter Rodriguez, percussion.

Main Page


Article and photograph contributed by Yuki Yamakawa
Courtesy of Savant Records

Posted on by sanjotown

Red Baraat at the 2016 San Jose Jazz Summer Fest

red-baraat
Red Baraat, a skilled eight member band from Brooklyn, New York vigorously performed at the 2016 San Jose Jazz Festival on August 12, 2016. Some of the songs performed at the Festival included favourites Gaadi of Truth, Chaal Baby, and Shruggy Ji. They are directed by leader and dhol player Sunny Jain. The group has developed a worldwide audience because their music is very engaging, energetic, and brings people together. Sunny Jain classifies Red Baraat’s music as a combination of Brooklyn fusion mix such as North Indian bhangra, jazz, go-go (a funk style from Washington DC), funk, and hip-hop. Red Baraat members are: Sunny Jain (dhol), Rohin Khemani (percussion), Chris Eddleton (drumset), Jonathan Goldberger (guitar), Jonathon Haffner (soprano sax), Sonny Singh (trumpet), Ernest Stuart (trombone),and John Altieri (sousaphone). Please support and check out their music.

http://www.redbaraat.com/