Whenever I go out on stage to perform at Rainbows End I sometimes hear kid's yell out "Look, Power Rangers!" or "Transformers!" or whenever I'm doing some roving around the park kid's come up to me and say "Are you a Power Ranger?" and I always think to myself "Really?! Do I really look like a Power Ranger?"
Below are some comparison photos:
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Do we really look like them?
I also recently realized that our make up is similar to the Transformers logos, I think it might of been Transformers inspired... No wonder we get called we look like Transformers. (Kids really do have big imaginations!)
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Also when I first saw my team mate Shao Lai's Fei Cha costume I immediately thought it looked liked Vegeta's Saiyan Uniform:
A lot of Jugglers ask me questions about props such as "What clubs do you use?" or "What size balls do you prefer?"
I know that jugglers are always keen on finding out about what equipment others use. So, I have written this post to answer your questions!
Q. What Balls do you use for practice?
A. I use DX Chroma 62mm from Beard.
Q. What balls do you use for performance?
A. DX Chroma 62mm and Original Hand made Russian Balls made by my friend Anatoli Miagkostoupov (Vladik's father) who is a Russian Juggler/Acrobat.
Q. What rings do you use for practice?
A. Mr. Babache 33cm rings.
Q. What rings do you use for performance?
A. Mr. Babache 33cm rings.
Q. What clubs do you use for practice?
A. Henry's Pirouette Circus (Old set with worn out decorations)
Q. What clubs do you use for performance?
A. Henry's Pirouette Circus.
Q. What clubs do you use for pass juggling?
A. I use Beard Trans Euro Clubs.
Q. What torches do you use for practice?
A. Mr Babache Discovery Torches (Great for beginners)
Q. What torches do you use to perform?
A. Henry's Nite Flite Fire Torches.
Q. What knives do you use to perform?
A. I don't do much knife juggling, But I use Mr. Babache Scimitar Juggling Knives when I do Street Shows.
Q. What hats do you use to practice and perform with?
A. I use Straw Hats that my friend got for me from an acrobatic school in China. My hat juggling is more Chinese/Mexican style rather than European.
Q. What are the Orange Bounce Balls you used in your latest video 'Komatsubara Entertainment 2'?
A. I used Spaldeen High Bounce Balls also known as 'Pinkies' they can usually be found at sports stores.
If you have a question that's not posted here, Comment below so that I can answer it for you.
It's been awhile since my last blog post, I have been busy with all sorts of things happening in my life but I will try my best to keep this blog up to date from now.
I have a few projects I want to work on and share with you all. This will be the place where I will first announce them.
But for now I would like to let you all know on a video project I am currently working on called 'Komatsubara Entertainment'. Yes, The name sounds familiar but I couldn't come up with anything so I just decided to go with this. Let's think of it as my very own version of Gatto Entertainment...
For those that didn't know about this you can catch up with episode 1:
Episode 1 is basically an introduction to what sort of juggler I am. Show casing a few of my favourite tricks.
And the latest episode 2:
Episode 2 is a show case of a few ring tricks + Footage of an attempt of a 7 ring pull down.
I'm thinking of changing things up a bit from episode 3 and onwards, Maybe adding a theme to each episode or having special guest appearances by other jugglers.
What do you guys think of the episodes so far?
What are some things you would like me to include in future episodes?
It's been awhile since my first blog post of 2012 I posted back in January.
I'm currently in the middle of enjoying the New Zealand International Comedy Festival that is happening right now.
I've also had the honour of being the 'Person who pushes the buttons to change and cue the music' for the one and only The Boy With Tape on His Face at the Comedy Gala that opened the festival.
Tech rehearsals at the Aotea Centre
The view from the sound desk at the Comedy Gala
Currently I have booked to go see 10 shows during the festival.
Below is the list:
Apr 27 - Comedy Gala (Work)
May 06 - Le Comique
May 07 - Terry Alderton
May 08 - The Boy With Tape on His Face 'More Tape'
May 10 - Rhys Darby 'This Way to Spaceship'
May 11 - Late n Live at The Classic (TBC)
May 13 - The Best of the Billys
May 15 - Jarred Fell 'FREAK SHOW'
May 16 - The Boy With Tape on His Face 'More Tape'
May 18 - Late n Live at The Classic (TBC)
May 19 - Fuse Circus 'Revolver'
May 20 - Last Laughs
Happy New Year everyone, We have finally entered the Year of the Dragon!
The dragon is one of my favourite animal (Well, More like Mythical creature) and have been looking forward to this year.
Toshikoshi Soba (Year crossing noodles)
Alot has happened in 2011...
In January, I went to the World Buskers Festival and watched and met many international street performers and visited Christchurch for the first time, It was a beautiful city that made me want to come back.
Me leaning against the Cathedral
In February I did a number of charity performances to raise money for the Christchurch Earthquake relief, I was devastated when I heard on Facebook/Twitter about the massive quake, I was there just a month ago enjoying the Buskers festival...
In March I performed at the annual 'Japan Day' event in Auckland and got my name called out wrong, Just before I went on stage the MC (Japanese Lady) introduced me as 'Komatsu Kouji'
In April I performed in the Heart Children Variety Show along with Andre Vegas, Punk the Clown and many other NZ performers, Provided pre-show entertainment for Takapuna Grammar School's Musical, Helped Sam Wills (The Boy With Tape on His Face) create a life size QR Code on Symonds Street (I had the plan sheet and called out the numbers, Sam filled the numbered slots with Tape, Then I filmed the end scene), Performed in a nation wide talent quest at the Royal Easter Show and made it to the Grand Final, and did some work for the New Zealand Comedy Festival.
Me dressed as a Chicken at the Classic Comedy Bar
Me as 'The Asian Boy With Tape on His Face' at the Visa Comedy Gala, New Zealand Comedy Festival
In May I performed along with other local Magicians in a Variety show my friend Mark Robinson organized and re-visited Christchurch and stayed with the Circus Aotearoa crew for 4 days. I was able to catch up with most of the people I met in Christchurch from my first visit in January.
In July I performed at the Love 2 Japan fundraising fiesta for the Japan Earthquake fund and also performed as a guest at the Westlake High School 'Chinese Night'
In August I helped organize the Child Cancer Variety Extravaganza and did the poster design, and also performed at the first ever Auckland Circus Convention that was organized by the Blingling Bros and the Auckland Circus Community.
In September I went to see Zirka Circus new show in Rotorua & Taupo and also started preparing for our new contract at Flaming Phoenix Entertainment.
In October I did heaps of work for the Rugby World Cup and also was able to meet Piper Mckenzie again. He is the performer that inspired me to Street Performing (I saw him perform at the 2009 Auckland International Buskers Festival)
Lisa & Piper, They can both spin suitcases on their fingers
In November our contract with Flaming Phoenix Entertainment begun and started performing at Rainbows End Theme Park every weekends and school holidays and also performed at the Auckland Farmers Santa Parade.
Photo By: The Blingling Bros
And finally in December we did some filming for the Rainbows End TV Commercial, Did some training with Michel Cardenas who is the Tempo Juggler from Argentina currently performing in the Magic Circus of Samoa and spent Christmas with my Flaming Phoenix family.
The Rainbows End TV Commercial, Currently airing on New Zealand Television
Christmas dinner with our Flaming Phoenix Family
2011 has been an amazing year and looking forward to what 2012 will bring!
And guess what? First gig of the year was today!
I was in a very small backstage area full of clowns and somehow ended up juggling 5 Mini Onions on stage for the first time. More about that later...
Thanks for reading my first blog post of the year and thank you to all my friends, family, and fans for all your continuous support throughout the year
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Flaming Phoenix Acrobats Power Rangers
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