I keep feeling like I'm in rant mode lately. The current topic is how Halloween celebrations have gotten so pathetic in Kagoshima over the last couple of years. Three years ago, there was a big dance party in the open space in front of Amu Plaza. Live DJ, radio personalities, lots of food and drinks tables, and make-up artists. It was a fun time. The following year, less music, no personalities, still food, drink and make-up tables. Last year, no music, no party, one make-up table, things shut down at 8 PM, but there was still a Halloween parade in the store for children on Sunday morning.
This year, the only thing on the weekend of the 26th and 27th was the Namaiki Voice Art Fair, which is kind of an amateur contest for artists, with judging and some stage events to introduce children to the artists, or something. At its heart, the fair was just a way to get people to buy paintings and jewelry, but from what little I saw, everyone was mostly window shopping. I hung around on Sunday just long enough to take 3 photos, then left.
The only thing Halloween-related according to the Amu events page is a 2-week shopping campaign. Spend a certain amount of money and you get entered in a drawing for coupons worth up to 15,000 yen ($135 USD, one winner). That's it. There's nothing even mentioned for a children's costume parade this time.
Nothing advertised where I could see it for a children's parade in Tenmonkan. There was a little bit in Maruya Gardens, mainly shopping sales, and something for kids (I didn't look closely for the details). Most of the advertised parties are on college campuses for university students, and a few bars in the red light district. On Sunday afternoon, I saw two university-aged girls with zombie make-up walking through Temonkan, maybe going to a bar or something, and one guy in a Spiderman outfit, walking with two friends not in costume.
Maybe something else will go on Oct. 31st night, but I'm not holding out any hope.
Sigh.
No comments:
Post a Comment