In his Olympic year, Oscar Pistorius steadily became an avid firearms collector, joining a gun-collecting club and purchasing a collection of firearms that included a .500 Magnum pistol and a civilian version of a military assault rifle.
When it comes to gender equality, Japan has never failed to disappoint.
Here's an open secret: Japanese men have a bad international reputation on the romance front.
SELLING WOMEN: Prostitution, Markets and the Household in Early Modern Japan, by Amy Stanley. University of California Press, 2012, 282 pp., $49.95 (hardcover) In the vast cultural landscape, Japan fascinates the mainstream with manga and anime, the martial arts, Zen and kimono. Of course, ...
Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa is back with a bang, becoming the first Asian player to score a hat trick in the English Premier League.
Rocky in Cinema Meets Symphony
* April 6
— Tickets are now on sale. Soundtrack from the film “Rocky” with highlight. Performed by Masahiko Enkoji (Cond) and Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra Tokyo (Orch). Orchard Hall, Tokyo, 2 p.m., 7 p.m., ¥7,500/¥8,500. Pia (P code: 187-991), Kyodo Tokyo (0570) 064-708.
Stephane Deneve Conducts Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra
* April 9, 10
— Tickets are now on sale. Performed by Eric Le Sage (Pf) for April 9 and Fumiaki Miura (Vn) for April 10. Suntory Hall, Tokyo, 7 p.m., ¥12,000/¥10,000/¥8,000/¥5,000. Su, E+, Pia (P code: 186-302), La (L code: 32508), Amati (03) 3560-3010.
Michiyoshi Inoue Conducts St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra
* April 20, 21
— Tickets are now on sale. “Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture” (P. I. Tchaikovsky) etc. Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, Yokohama, April 21, 3 p.m., ¥12,000/¥9,500/¥8,000/¥6,000/¥5,000. E+, Pia (P code: 183-595), La (L code: 31795), Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall Ticket Center (045) 682-2000. The Symphony Hall, Osaka, April 20, 3 p.m., ¥12,000/¥10,000/¥8,000//¥6,000. E+, CN, Pia (P code: 183-036), La (L code: 56976), ABC Ticket Center (06) 6453-6000.
La Folle Journee au Japon 2013
* April 26-May 6
— Classical music fest. Tickets on sale from Mar. 3 (10 a.m.) for Biwako, Mar. 6 (10 a.m.) for Kanazawa, Mar. 9 (10 a.m.) for Tosu, Mar. 16 (10 a.m.) for Tokyo, Mar. 23 (10 a.m.) for Niigata. Ryutopia (Niigata City Performing Arts Center)/ Niigata City Music and Culture Hall/ Enkikan/ Kyu Saitoke Bette, Niigata, April 26-28, Start times and prices vary, Pia, La, more details visit lfjn.jp/lfjn2013/ or call (025) 226-2563. Ishikawa Ongakudo/ Kanazawa Art Hall, Ishikawa and Hokuriku districts, April 27-May 4, Start times and prices vary, Pia, La, more details visit lfjk.jp/index.html or call (076) 232-8111. Biwako Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Shiga, April 27-29, Start times and prices vary, E+, Pia, La, more details visit lfjb.biwako-hall.or.jp or call (077) 523-7136. Tokyo International Forum and Tokyo Marunouchi area, Tokyo, May 3-5, Start times and prices vary, E+, Pia, La, more details visit www.lfj.jp or call (03) 5221-9100. Tosu Shimin Bunka Kaikan, Saga, May 5, 6, Start times and prices vary, E+, Pia, La, more details visit lfjt.jp or call (0942) 85-3645.
Barbara Frittoli Soprano Recital
* May 19, 21
— Tickets are now on sale. “L’esule,” “In solitaria stanza” “Il mister,” “Brindisi” (G. Verdi), “Meine Ruh ist hin,” “Taut n’est qui’images fugitives,” “Dors, mon enfant,” “L’attente” (R. Wagner) etc. Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, Tokyo, May 19, 7 p.m., ¥6,000/¥9,000/¥12,000. E+, Pia (P code: 186-828), La (L code: 32827), Tokyo Opera City Ticket Center (03) 5353-9999. Sankei Hall Breeze, Osaka, May 21, 7 p.m., ¥6,000/¥9,000/¥12,000. E+, Pia (P code: 187-852), La (L code: 54944), Sankei Hall Breeze Ticket Center (06) 6341-8888.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
* June 25-27
— Tickets are now on sale. Conductor is Charles Dutoit. Bunkyo Civic Hall, Tokyo, June 25, 7 p.m., ¥6,000/¥8,000/¥10,000/¥13,000/¥16,000/¥18,000. E+, Pia (P code: 190-117), La (L code: 34431), Civic Ticket (03) 5803-1111. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Tokyo, June 26, 7 p.m., ¥11,000/¥15,000/¥18,000/¥21,000. E+, Pia (P code: 190-529), La (L code: 34586), Tomin Gekijo (03) 3572-4311. Suntory Hall, Tokyo, June 27, 7 p.m., ¥8,000/¥12,000/¥16,000/¥20,000/¥24,000/¥29,000. E+, Ka, Pia (P code: 190-868), La (L code: 35729).
Grizzly Bear
* Mar. 5, 6
— Tickets are now on sale. Liquidroom, Tokyo, Mar. 5, 7 p.m., ¥6,000. E+, Pia (P code: 187-090), La (L code: 71481), Creativeman (03) 3499-6669. Umeda Akaso, Osaka, Mar. 6, 7 p.m., ¥6,000. E+, Pia (P code: 186-720), La (L code: 51362), Kyodo Information (06) 7732-8888.
Santana
* Mar. 11-13
— Tickets are now on sale. Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka, Mar. 11, 7 p.m., ¥11,100/¥12,100. E+, Pia (P code: 186-237), La (L code: 57595), Udo Customer Service (06) 6341-4506. Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Mar. 12, 7 p.m., ¥11,100/¥12,100. E+, Pia (P code: 186-145), La (L code: 79614), Udo Customer Service (03) 3402-5999. Tokyo International Forum, Hall A, Tokyo, Mar. 13, 7 p.m., ¥11,100/¥12,100. E+, Pia (P code: 192-051), La (L code: 78042), Udo Customer Service (03) 3402-5999.
Rita Ora
* Mar. 18
— Tickets are now on sale. Shibuya Duo Music Exchange, Tokyo, 7 p.m., ¥5,500. E+, Pia (P code: 193-256), La (L code: 79597), Creativeman (03) 3499-6669.
Rufus Wainwright
* Mar. 18, 19
— Tickets are now on sale. Matsushita IMP Hall, Osaka, Mar. 18, 7 p.m., ¥8,500. E+, Pia (P code: 187-208), La (L code: 52910), Udo Customer Service (06) 6341-4506. Shibuya Kokaido, Tokyo, Mar. 19, 7 p.m., ¥7,500/¥8,500. E+, Pia (P code: 186-871), La (L code: 70456), Udo Customer Service (03) 3402-5999.
Star Fes. 2013
* Mar. 23
— Tickets are now on sale. Music fest with Friendly Fires DJ set, Jazzanova feat. Paul Randolph, The Orb, DJ Kentaro, De De Mouse and more. Higashi Ogishima East Park, Kanagawa, 11 a.m., ¥3,500. Pia (P code: 189-823), La (L code: 74831), Zepp Live Entertainment (03) 5575-5170.
Punkspring 2013
* Mar. 28-31
— Tickets are now on sale. Punk fest with NOFX, Simple Plan, Lagwagon, Weezer and more. Zepp Nagoya, Aichi, Mar. 28, 29, 5 p.m., ¥6,500/¥10,500 (for 2 days). E+, Pia (P code: 190-464), La (L code: 46721), Sunday Folk Promotion (052) 320-9100. Kobe World Hall, Hyogo, Mar. 30, 12:30 p.m., ¥7,900. E+, CN, Pia (P code: 188-386), La (L code: 56284), Kyodo Information (06) 7732-8888. Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Mar. 31, 12 p.m., ¥8,900. E+, CN, Pia (P code: 188-636), La (L code: 73276), Creativeman (03) 3499-6669.
Ne-Yo
* Mar. 29
— Tickets are now on sale. Aichi Prefectural Art Theater, Aichi, 7 p.m., ¥8,500. Pia (P code: 193-280), La (L code: 47377), Sunday Folk Promotion (052) 320-9100.
Springroove 2013
* Mar. 30, 31
— Tickets are now on sale. R&B, hip hop, reggae, dance music fest with Ne-Yo, Avicii, T.O.K., Zedd, Inna and more. Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Mar. 30, 1 p.m., ¥10,500. E+, CN, Pia (P code: 188-699), La (L code: 73800), Creativeman (03) 3499-6669. Kobe World Hall, Hyogo, Mar. 31, 4 p.m., ¥9,000. E+, CN, Pia (P code: 188-389), La (L code: 56291), Kyodo Information (06) 7732-8888.
NOFX with Lagwagon/Old Man Markley
* April 1
— Tickets are now on sale. Shibuya AX, Tokyo, 7 p.m., ¥6,800. E+, Pia (P code: 194-742), La (L code: 72262), Creativeman (03) 3499-6669.
Public Image Limited
* April 2, 3, 5, 6
— Tickets are now on sale. Nagoya Club Diamond Hall, Aichi, April 2, 7:30 p.m., ¥7,500. Pia (P code: 188-868), La (L code: 46323), Sunday Folk Promotion (052) 320-9100. Osaka Namba Hatch, Osaka, April 3, 7:30 p.m., ¥7,500/¥8,500. E+, CN, Pia (P code: 188-853), La (L code: 57005), Kyodo Information (06) 7732-8888. Shibuya AX, Tokyo, April 5, 6, 7:30 p.m. (April 5), 6 p.m. (April 6), ¥7,500/¥8,500. E+, CN, Pia (P code: 189-232), La (L code: 75248), Creativeman (03) 3499-6669.
SonarSound Tokyo 2013
* April 6, 7
— Music and art festival with Actress, Darkstar, Karl Hyde, Sherwood & Pinch and more. Tickets are now on sale. Shinkiba Ageha/Studio Coast, Tokyo, 9 p.m. (April 6), 2 p.m. (April 7), ¥7,750/¥8,500 (D)/¥14,500 (for 2 days), E+, Pia (P code: 189-692), Beatink (03) 5768-1277.
The Wildhearts
* Apr. 15
— Tickets are now on sale. Shibuya O-East, Tokyo, 7:30 p.m., ¥6,800. E+, Pia (P code: 194-410), La, Creativeman (03) 3499-6669.
Clash × Gan-Ban Night Special featuring Vitalic
* April 20
— Tickets on sale from Mar. 2 (10 a.m.). Shinkiba Ageha/Studio Coast, Tokyo, 11 p.m. ¥3,500. E+, Pia (P code: 192-763), La (L code: 79045), Smash (03) 3444-6751.
Whitesnake
* May 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 10
— Tickets on sale from Mar. 2 (10 a.m.). Sunport Hall Takamatsu, Kagawa, May 1, 7 p.m., ¥9,000. E+, Pia (P code: 192-266), La (L code: 64353), Yumebanchi (086) 231-3531. Kagoshima Citizens’ Culture Hall, Kagoshima, May 2, 7 p.m., ¥9,000. E+, Pia, La (L code: 84573), Kyodo Nishi Nippon (092) 714-0159. Nagoya Civic Assembly Hall, Aichi, May 4, 5 p.m., ¥9,000. E+, CN, Pia (P code: 191-551), La (L code: 47034), Kyodo Tokai (052) 972-7466. Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, May 7, 9, 7 p.m., ¥9,000. E+, Pia (P code: 192-277), La (L code: 78242), Creativeman (03) 3499-6669. Orix Theater, Osaka, May 10, 7 p.m., ¥9,000. E+, Pia (P code: 192-316), La (L code: 56037), Kyodo Information (06) 7732-8888.
Tokyo Rocks 2013
* May 11, 12
— Rock fest with Blur, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream, Carl Barat from The Libertines, Tom Meighan from Kasabian and more. Tickets on sale from Mar. 16 (10 a.m.). Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, 12 p.m. ¥12,500/¥23,000 (for 2 days). E+, Get Ticket, Pia (P code: 1 day: 188-358/ 2 days: 780-453), La (L code: 1 day: 78734/ 2 days: 79455), Tokyo Rocks Office (0180) 99-3411.
One Direction
* Nov. 2, 3
— Tickets on sale from April 20 (10 a.m.). Makuhari Messe, Chiba, 5 p.m. (Nov. 2), 4 p.m. (Nov. 3), ¥8,000/¥9,000/¥15,000 (incrude merchandise). E+, Pia, La, Creativeman (03) 3499-6669.
