With each year comes the blending and hybridization of different types of music. African tribes team up with electronica DJs, an Asian influence infiltrates Western beats, and Indian or Latin tempos permeate through pop music. If crossover trends of the past few years are anything to go by, 2007 is likely to see a boom in the fusion of more art forms.
Such a fusion will take place Jan. 20 when the two-floor event space Shibuya Universal Society (formerly Shibuya Underpass Society) cohosts “Crossroads.” The event brings together electronica DJs, live performances, visuals and art installations under one roof.
On the SUS’ main basement floor, Seco, organizer Josh Child of Rotation Productions (promoter of the minimal techno event Real Grooves at Yellow and the Chicago house night Solid at La Fabrique), welcomes Pier Bucci, a Berlin-based Chilean and frequent visitor to Tokyo. Bucci will play a live set of cutting-edge electronica and will be joined by DJs John Connell, Aquira and others spinning a variety of funky, minimal tracks. Tadaomi Shibuya will be doing live painting.
On SUS’ second-floor lounge, Respekt, Patrick Oancia, among others, will play ambient electronica and down-tempo beats. The second floor will also stage a performance by renowned belly dance artist Mishaal; a hip hop-influenced contemporary dance performance by Gori; and crystal-projected visuals using prisms and computer-generated effects.
The highlight of the night will most likely be the “yogic arts” performance by Duncan Wong, who grew up in California surrounded by martial arts such as dojang (Korean martial arts). Wong honed his skills while traveling China and India and was later exposed to Thai massage and other healing methods, all of which he integrates into his yoga.
His practice spans over 20 years and his teachings extend across the globe, having taught Madonna and Sting.
“Crossroads” takes place Jan. 20 (7 p.m.-5 a.m.) at Seco/Respekt, Shibuya Universal Society, 1-11-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku (tel. [03] 6418-8144). Tickets are 1,000 yen. For a map, visit www.yogajaya.com
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