REVIEW 5: MIE & KEI DO PHILLY---SORTA!

On August 5, 2007, I had a chance to get an up close and personal taste of what an anime convention is like when I attended the TAKII (The Asian Karaoke Idol Invitational) that was held here in Philly and was flat out amazed at what the experience was like. The show, ran by D-Chan (Damien Christopher) included all sorts of amazing events, such as lots of video games, including a contest, a cosplay contest with fans dressing up as characters from their favorite anime shows, and a singing contest where three talented ladies sang songs from anime shows----IN JAPANESE!! That wowed me more than anything else at the convention. Even more, during that contest which was done a la American Idol, I was onstage as a judge with two other people, one a girl who made like Simon Cowell (British accent and all) and made snide remarks to the contestants. I thought that was kinda cool.

But the highlight of the event (to me anyway) was the Pink Lady Comedy Tribute in which two performers in frilly dresses (one being D-Chan) came on the stage and did a set of Pink Lady songs including "Wanted", "Pepper Keibu" and "Carmen '77"----IN JAPANESE!! That I didn't expect but thought was remarkable, just like the karaoke contest, heck, "Mie" and "Kei" even had the dance manuevers down pat. Made me wonder which was tougher for the performers to perfect, the singing or the dancing. Speaking as someone who couldn't dance if my life depended on it, I'd probably have an easier time with the singing, and I have enough trouble with English! On top of that, "Mie" and Kei" did a rendition of "Boogie Wonderland" from the debut episode of Pink Lady & Jeff, and, if that wasn't enough, there was even an appearance by a faux Jeff Altman who came onstage and played the goof.

And throughout it all, I enjoyed the heck out of the performance as I knew going in that it was going to be done mostly for laughs, and the performance didn't at all disappoint and I enjoyed it immensely. I let D-Chan and Carmen L. know how I felt after they finished. Bottom line, I had fun watching them ham it up. At the end of the day, isn't that what Pink Lady is all about? Having fun? Oh, yeah, "Mie" and "Kei" will return for the 2008 TAKII convention. I've already marked my calendar, so I'll definitely be there when the "girls" return to Philly!

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