The Show
January 2006
On Sunday night December 11, one of the hottest rock and roll bands in Japan hit the stage live at B-9 club in Kumamoto city.
Voice Sin Direction was in peak form at B-9 club. Dressed in all black, the four members entered the stage causing their fans to
rise shaking their heads to the music. As the drummer sat down, she began to play a short solo piece warming up the crowd. Just as
the crowd was warming up, the 3 guitarists came on stage in an electrifying performance.
The first guitarist came on stage first appearing to be calm until he strapped on his guitar and began jumping around the stage.
The crowd was instantly bobbing their heads to the beat. Then, the second guitarist hit the stage with the tips of his spiked hair colored
pink to further keep the crowd entertained. By the time the third and final guitarist came on stage, the crowd was already in the grove of
the music, but his appearance seemed to round a perfect sound for the 4 member band.
Hitting the stage with so much energy, Voice Sin Direction sang their first 3 songs with no interruptions. The crowd was so
moved, the fans were moving closer and closer to the stage not missing a beat. At the end of the third song, the band took a brief
moment to speak to the crowd. In a loud earth shaking voice, one of the guitarists shouted the group’s name—VOICE SIN
DIRECTION. The room trembled from all the clapping and whistling from their fans. Introducing the next song, the fans braced
themselves for another energetic performance.
The fourth song started off as a sort of slow melody, but within a minute or two the guitarists let out a loud roar quickly picking
up the tempo of the song. As I looked around the crowd, I noticed the fans still enjoying themselves, but looking even more, I noticed
some other newcomers who were obviously there to cheer on their friend’s groups, now rising slowly to cheer on Voice Sin Direction.
More and more people were standing and shaking their heads to the rock and roll beat of the band. About halfway through the song,
the three guitarists began positioning themselves in the center of the stage and then put on a synchronized show of the members
playing and moving the guitars. This synchronized guitar playing and moving got the crowd further and further engrossed into the
music. The timing couldn’t have been better planned. Old and new fans were now gathered at the front of the stage pointing at the
band members and motioning to the members to keep playing. The guitarists also motioned to the fans to keep bobbing their heads
to the beat and for more and more fans to come closer to the stage.
Although the drummer was in the back, she was not forgotten. During short breaks in the songs, she would raise her sticks in
the air sometimes pointing to the fans letting them know she saw them.
After the show, the members walked amongst the crowd shaking hands, receiving and giving hugs to fans and taking pictures
with their fans.
When Voice Sin Direction is in a town or city near you, I strongly recommend running down to the ticket office, buying a ticket and
getting to the venue early so you don’t miss their eye opening stage entrance.
Visit Voice Sin Direction on their homepage to learn more about the band, or contact us at The Point to learn schedules and
dates of upcoming appearances.
Christmas in America
There is every race and religion in America, so Christmas in America is different with every family.
Some Americans do not celebrate Christmas for various reasons. Probably the number one reason is because of religion. Jewish
Americans do not believe in Christ so they do not celebrate Christmas. Instead Jewish Americans celebrate Hanukkah. Some African
Americans do not celebrate Christmas because Christmas is not widely celebrated in Africa where African Americans are originally
from. Instead some African Americans celebrate Kwanza, an African celebration.
Since Christmas is a Christian holiday, it can not be celebrated in most schools. Every American should have an equal education
and this means people can not be separated by race or religion. Everyone attends school together and since all races and religions
go to school together, the school can not force students to celebrate Christmas. There may be some children of another religion such
as Baptist, Orthodox or Jewish. If their families do not believe in Christmas and do not celebrate this holiday, the schools can not force
the child to celebrate the holiday. Since it is impossible to make everyone happy in school and not exclude any student, Americans
schools do not celebrate Christmas. Christmas is only celebrated at home. In fact, in most American government buildings that have a
Christmas tree, they can not call it a “Christmas tree” but have to call it a “Holiday tree” because Christmas has the word “Christ” in it.
For those American families who do celebrate Christmas, every family celebrates it differently.
The idea and spirit of Christmas is “A time of giving.” Christmas is always celebrated with ones family. Usually the whole family,
grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands and children gather at one house for a huge dinner.
Before Christmas day, family members go out buying presents for the members in their family. It doesn’t matter what the present is,
but Americans try to think of the person they are shopping for and what they like or dislike. The present is taken home and wrapped. A
card is placed in the card that says “To: XXXX From: XXX” For adults, the person who really bought the presents name is after “From”
on the card. Since children believe in Santa Claus, the card will say “From: Santa.”
Children’s presents are hidden in the house. If the house is small, the parent might hide the presents at a brother’s or sister’s
house who has no children. Presents for adults are also hidden somewhere in the house. Christmas eve is when the parents get all
the presents and put them under the tree once the child has fallen asleep.
Christmas Day, the children wake up and usually stay in their pajamas and go to the living room. Parents and children gather
around the Christmas tree and begin opening presents. It is more fun for the children to run around the tree looking for their own
presents. When they find a present with their name on it, they can open it. Adults, such as husband and wife usually wait until the
children open all their presents and they exchange presents.
When I was a child, I always celebrated Christmas with my family. I would wake up Christmas day and me and my sister would go
into the living room. We would wait for our mother. My mother would put on the radio playing Christmas music. Then we would open all
the presents. While we were playing with the new presents, my mother would cook a special Christmas breakfast. About 2pm, my
sister and I would start getting dressed. About 3pm we would go to my grandparent’s (Father’s parents) house. They only lived about
20 minutes away by car. Growing up in Boston, Massachusetts, there was usually a lot of snow on the ground, so some years it would
take about 30 or 40 minutes by car. Once we arrived wearing our nice clothes, we would greet everyone in the house which was
usually my uncles and aunts and grandparents. Slowly, our cousins and more uncles and aunts would begin arriving. My grandfather
would be in the living room watching the football game with his sons (my uncles). My grandmother and my aunt would be in the kitchen
preparing a huge special dinner. Usually the dinner were 2 huge turkeys, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, rice, corn, other
vegetables, sweet potato and apple pies. Usually there were about 8 pies because my family is very large. Family is still arriving all
day. While the meal is being prepared, the family is walking around the house talking to everyone since we haven’t seen each other in
a long time. Some people are in the living room. Some people are in the basement playing pool and talking. Some people are in the
kitchen talking to my grandmother while she is cooking.
About 6pm, everyone would gather in the kitchen and sit down and eat together. My grandfather would say a special grace and then
everyone would begin eating and talking. Since there were 3 tables, there was a lot of talking and eating. About an hour or two later,
everyone would go to the living room and sit around the Christmas tree. Every adult would take turns one by one sharing why they are
thankful. After everyone is finished, my uncles would begin handing out presents. Since there were usually about 30 children and 20
adults, it was not possible for the children to run around the tree. Instead my uncles would hand out the presents to everyone. We
would open the presents and keep our presents in a pile so as not to mix them with someone else’s presents. When we were
finished opening all the presents, we would clean up the wrapping paper. Then we would walk around the house like we did when we
first arrived playing or watching tv or playing pool or playing with our new toys. Since some of my uncles were married, they would leave
with their wife and go to their wife’s family's house.
Now, I am an adult and my family lives all over America, it is almost impossible for everyone to gather for Christmas. Instead, we
only buy presents for any child in the family. If we can not make it for Christmas celebration, we will mail it to their house, but they won’t
open it until Christmas day. As for the adults, my family believes everyday is Christmas. This means, if I need a coat in September,
someone in my family will buy it when I need it. The same goes for everyone in the family. If someone is shopping and sees
something a person in the family might like, they will buy it then and give it to the person. As adults, we do not believe in Santa Claus,
so it does not make sense to wait for Christmas especially if it is someone we need and could use now.
The most important thing to remember about Americans, is not all Americans celebrate Christmas. Also, for those who so celebrate
Christmas, all families celebrate differently. For example, one of my American friends celebrate Christmas by having a meal from a
different country every year. One year they might eat Chinese food, Another year, maybe it will be Indian food. They choose the country
the beginning of December.
Sometimes friends are alone on Christmas so someone might invite them to spend Christmas with their family.
New Years in America
New Years Eve in America is usually spent with friends.
Some people go to nightclubs to celebrate New Years Day. Since so many people want to go to various clubs, it is usually
necessary for people to make reservations at the club sometimes a month in advance. Reservations are usually made after
Christmas. People will call the club and make reservations. The reservations only make sure the person can get in the club and
sometimes for a small bottle of champagne to celebrate New Years. People will start to arrive around 10pm. The evening will go as
normal such as the DJ playing music, people drinking and talking to other customers. At around 11:30pm the club staff will begin
handing out small bottles of champagne. Once everyone has their bottle of champagne, the staff will tell everyone every 10 minutes it
gets closer to midnight…..11:30...11:40….11:50. When it is time for the countdown, the DJ will stop playing music. The staff will either
put on the TV to watch the countdown or have a big clock in the club so everyone can countdown together. When everyone starts to
countdown...10, 9, 8….3,2.1 HAPPY NEW YEAR, at midnight, everyone opens their champagne at the same time and shouts, “HAPPY
NEW YEAR!”. Friends hug each other and sometimes male friends and female friends kiss each other on the cheek wishing them a
happy new year. Sometimes strangers will hug each other as well. Male strangers may shake hands and say, Happy New Year.” Men
may buy other men a new year drink. Females may do the same thing. Females may buy male strangers a drink or hug and maybe
kiss them on the cheek. Usually everyone is very friendly and is very happy about the new year so it doesn’t matter what someone
does.
Others like to celebrate the new year outside with a lot of people. In New York City, people go to Central Square which is downtown
to celebrate new years. There is a huge ball that lights up that is lifted on a very high pole. The ball sits on the top of the pole until the
countdown. People begin going to Central Square around 10pm and talking to strangers there making new friends for the new year.
When it is time for the countdown, the ball begins slowly moving down the pole. The ball begins moving at 10. The ball should be in
the middle of the pole when everyone says, “5”. When everyone says, “1”, the ball should be at the bottom of the pole. When it hits the
bottom of the pole at midnight, it will light up and everyone will say, “HAPPY NEW YEAR”. Then, everyone begins hugging and kissing
wishing others a Happy New Year. Usually parties in nightclubs and outside end when the sun comes up, around 5am or 6am.
Although celebrating new years is done with friends in America, the main reason is to make new friends for the new year. All new
years parties have lots of people. With so many people who don’t know each other, it is the perfect place to make new friends. When
new years parties are over, people usually stay in touch with the new friends they made at the party. It is like making new friends for the
new year. Everyone wants to celebrate the new year and since everyone doesn’t work on New Years Eve, it is perfect to make new
friends. When new friends meet again they have a topic to talk about which will be the time they met at the new years eve party.
Every person in America celebrates New Years differently. Some people celebrate with their religion. Some people celebrate with
their families and friends. There is no 1 way to celebrate New Years.
American Traditional Wedding and Reception
Most brides-to-be have always fantasized about their wedding day. How wonderful and beautiful it can be! Determining the type of
wedding ceremony is a decision that should be made by both the groom and bride. People decide their ceremony because of their
personal preference and religious beliefs. If they both have similar religious backgrounds, this decision may be easier. However, it is
important and should be discussed so that both feel comfortable. If they are of different denominations, they may mutually agree on
one religious wedding ceremony, try to combine ideas from both, or create their own ceremony.
Usually the bride and groom decide on the place and type of wedding ceremony they want to have. They have to decide on the type of
flowers, food and suit and gown to wear. The groom usually picks his best male friend to be his “best man.” the best man holds the
ring during the ceremony and stands next to the groom during the whole ceremony. The bride usually chooses her best female friend
to be her “bride’s maid.” The bride’s maid stands next to the bride during the ceremony and holds the ring. There are also 4 or 5 or
how many the bride wants, other brides maids who stand next to the bride’s maid during the ceremony.
The groom gets to the church early and greets people as they enter the church. The bride always goes to a special room where no
one is allowed to enter, especially the groom. It is considered bad luck for the wedding if the groom sees the bride before the
ceremony, so everyone makes sure the groom never sees the bride before the ceremony.
As with your ceremony, the time goes by quickly, and it is a good idea to make a timetable, your caterer, musicians, and
photographer. Of course, this is no guideline to help maintain a smooth flow of events, but making a schedule is a good idea. Most
receptions last from three to five hours.
Wedding pictures are taken, if they weren't before the ceremony. Guests start arriving, mingling, and getting something to drink.
Music has begun. Receiving line is formed, guests pass through. Guest book is signed, and table cards picked up, if any. Hors d’
oeurves or finger food are served. Buffet is announced or guests are seated, if you are having a sit down meal. Wedding party is
seated and served. Food is served to guests. Best man proposes the first toast. Any speeches are made by the bride, groom or family.
First course is cleared from head table. Bride and groom have the first dance. Guests may follow on the dance floor. Tables are
cleared. Guests may mingle or dance. Musicians announce cake-cutting ceremony. Cake is cut and served. Dance music resumes.
Bride throws bouquet. Groom throws garter. Bride and groom change into going away clothes. Rice, birdseed or dried rose petals are
given to guests, if not placed on table earlier, then tossed on the bride and groom as they run to their car. The bar closes, music stops
and guests start to leave. Parents gather personal belongings and gifts.
The main goal of the reception is for the two families , bride and groom’s, to have a chance to talk and meet everyone. Families are
expected to walk around and talk to members of the other families to become friends. It is also important to know who is in your new
family so if you see them again outside you can say hello.