The following is the definition for the word "karaoke" along with some information about the word [taken from the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Online]:
(karaoke, anglicized kærk, kærk) [Jap., f. kara empty, void + ke(sutora (f. Eng. orchestra).]
A form of entertainment, originating in Japan, in which a person sings the vocal line of a popular song to the accompaniment of a pre-recorded backing tape, and the voice is electronically amplified through the loudspeaker system for the audience; also, the audio (and video) equipment used for this. Freq. attrib., esp. as karaoke bar, music.
1979 Sunday Mail (Brisbane) 23 Sept. 33/1 The ‘Karaoke’ (literally ‘empty orchestra’) bars are popular with Japanese office workers. 1982 Japan Times 11 July 10/3 The Japanese consumer electronics industry is now cashing in on the sing-it-yourself boom... The Electronics Industries Association of Japan has no official production or sales data on karaoke equipment. 1983 McAllen (Texas) Monitor 30 Oct. 8C/1 Karaoke music is recorded on cassette, 8-track tape, laser video disc and compact digital disc... The rock scorings closely duplicate the original hit recordings, with just the vocal missing. 1985 RANDLE & WATANABE Coping with Japan 58 Karaoke songs are usually lyrical and sentimental. 1987 Daily Tel. 30 Mar. 17/7 Karaoke is important as a ‘lubricant for human relationships within the company’. 1990 Independent 24 Apr. 27/8 The brewers are now introducing Karaoke into selected pubs on a trial basis. 1992 Premiere Jan. 59/3 (Advt.), This new combi player plays hundreds of karaoke music video song titles, hits from the '50s through the '80s, all with on-screen lyrics.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
What is the Rogue Festival?
Some of you who I may have told about the Rogue Festival might be wondering what it is exactly. Every year in Fresno's Tower District around late February to early March, there are various performances that include (though not limited to) live bands, dance routines, and one-act plays.
Typically referred to as fringe festivals throughout the rest of the country and the world, I believe this is the eighth Rogue Festival here in Fresno, and it has become the largest one of its kind on the West coast.
The first time I ever heard about it, I believe, was in 2003, when poet/friend Tim Z. Hernandez told me about his one-man show, Skin Tax: Diaries of a Macho. I didn't get to see it, which is unfortunate, as I heard it won an award for Best Solo Performance.
However, I did see a performance in 2007. I forget the gentleman's name, but the name of the show was Are Ya Dating? It was a rather humorous solo performance about a man's experiences in the dating world.
Earlier this year, my wife Stephanie and I did a performance where she sang jazz covers and I read some of my poetry to music. It was originally titled "A Siren Sings, a Postmodern Psalmist Speaks," though we condensed the title to "The Siren and the Postmodern Psalmist." (Our website is still accessible at http://sirenpsalmist.blogspot.com.)
This year, I will be doing a solo performance relating to the karaoke scene. Hopefully you will find it amusing and let others know about it. Please be sure to check back here regularly for new information relating to the show and the Rogue Festival in general.
If you are interested in learning more about the Rogue Festival and the other great acts available, please visit http://www.roguefestival.com.
Typically referred to as fringe festivals throughout the rest of the country and the world, I believe this is the eighth Rogue Festival here in Fresno, and it has become the largest one of its kind on the West coast.
The first time I ever heard about it, I believe, was in 2003, when poet/friend Tim Z. Hernandez told me about his one-man show, Skin Tax: Diaries of a Macho. I didn't get to see it, which is unfortunate, as I heard it won an award for Best Solo Performance.
However, I did see a performance in 2007. I forget the gentleman's name, but the name of the show was Are Ya Dating? It was a rather humorous solo performance about a man's experiences in the dating world.
Earlier this year, my wife Stephanie and I did a performance where she sang jazz covers and I read some of my poetry to music. It was originally titled "A Siren Sings, a Postmodern Psalmist Speaks," though we condensed the title to "The Siren and the Postmodern Psalmist." (Our website is still accessible at http://sirenpsalmist.blogspot.com.)
This year, I will be doing a solo performance relating to the karaoke scene. Hopefully you will find it amusing and let others know about it. Please be sure to check back here regularly for new information relating to the show and the Rogue Festival in general.
If you are interested in learning more about the Rogue Festival and the other great acts available, please visit http://www.roguefestival.com.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Confessions of a Karaoke DJ
The first in his “Things to Do in the Central Valley” trilogy, local poet Gregory Ramirez plays Carlos, a DJ whose anecdotes of wild Friday night patrons may make you laugh, sing along, and even help fill his tip jar.
Rating: PG-13 (Depends on what he has to confess)
Cost: $3
Friday, February 27, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, 6:15 p.m.
@Spectrum, 608 E. Olive Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728
LATECOMES ADMITTED
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