III MEF Band @ Koza Music Town

It's been a while since the III MEF Band  performed out in town for any event except the annual joint concert.  So it was a kind of special treat for my daughter to get to go see her daddy play today.

The crowd wasn't enormous or the set long, but it was still a good time.  The band had only been invited to play a few days prior when they got home from a camping exercise.  (Yes, even the band has to do "real" Marine work.)

It rained that day, so I thought the gig would be cancelled.  However, I was surprised to learn that the top floor of Koza Music Town is an indoor stage facility.  So, rain or shine, Koza Music Town has music available to the public!

That's really the entire purpose for this post.  If you'd like to see a group or performance at Koza and think the rain will keep you from doing so, go check the top floor and in most cases you'll be pleasantly surprised.  :D

III MEF Band Summer Concert

Every year, the III MEF Band hosts its summer concert for the public.  This years concert was held at the Okinawa Convention Center just adjacent to Ginowan Seaside Park.

The concert included everything from jazz to traditional music, quintets to the full band performances.  The band played, marched, and sang in the attempt to bring an enjoyable evening of music to its community.

Big Band @ Camp Hansen

The big band performed an awesome concert for the Kin town public in the local square just outside of Camp Hansen.  It was a great way for the Japanese community to interact with the local Marines in a positive setting.  Not to mention provide some good entertainment for the guys up North who miss out on the many happenings down South.

I was personally really glad I could park at the USO on base and walk over with O.  Sometimes finding parking out in town can be a real hassle.  And O made friends with a little Japanese girl.  They were super cute to watch dancing and playing O's little toy trumpet together.  :D

Big Band @ Koza Music Town

The band loves to do performances for the public as often as possible. Especially if the local Japanese community will be able to attend.  That is why they were honored to have their big band play at Koza Music town on Gate 2 street.

Koza Music Town is located on route 330 on the corner of Gate 2 street (I'm not sure the name of the actual road, but if you go directly out of Kadena's Gate 2 you are on it.)  Koza is another name for the city of Okinawa.  This particular street offers lots of shopping opportunities, food, and MUSIC!  Several parades and other special events happen here throughout the year.

1940's Swing Dance

The III MEF Band recently formed its own big band.  They debuted by hosting their very own 1940's Swing Dance at the Camp Foster Community Theater.  One of my fellow band wives was nice enough to babysit O so that I could attend.

The night was filled with the sounds of the 40's.  Couples tried their dance moves out on the floor (a swing dance workshop was held an hour before the event for those interested in learning the footwork.), the band played all the top songs, and guest singers and dancers wowed the crowd.  The local high school even provided baked goods and drinks for participants to enjoy.

The band is hoping to make this an annual event to remember.

Nago Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Matsuri)

The cherry blossom bloom on Okinawa a few months earlier than they do on the mainland.  Mostly because of our tropical weather and the fact that it gets warmer here much sooner.  As a result, the Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festivals) here on island also happen earlier in the year.

We've been on the island for a month now.  I was starting to wonder when I was ever going to get to hear my husband play again.  The band always seems to be busy, but they don't have many public events here on island.  So I was excited to finally go and see them at the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival.

O loves to hear the music but is also very curious.  So while the band played we checked out the surrounding stands and interacted with the people in the crowd.  It's a good thing we did too, cause we had to leave with the band shortly after the performance.  Hopefully next year we'll get to check out the festivities a little more.

Next year I hope to take a nice stroll up to the Nago Castle Ruins.  I hear they make an excellent place to observe the Cherry Blossoms (if they had not bloomed later than usual this year).  Apparently Nago Chou Park has some 20,000 Taiwan Cherry trees.

The festival also takes place in other parts of Nago (Sakura Park, the Nago Main Crossroad, and at Nago Fishing Port) offering local music and dance performances, a parade, vendors and games.

III MEF Band takes the stage.

The only Cherry Blossom Tree in sight that was blooming.  Apparently all the trees bloomed a week after the festival.