UNICEF -Hand in Hand- Central Meeting

2006 marked the 28th Anniversary of UNICEF's 'Hand in Hand' charity concert, held on December 23rd. Among the many celebrities included the ambassador of the Japanese UNICEF association Agness Chang, singer and song writer Ryu, stage director Amon Miyamoto, singer and actress Sonim, famous sumo wrestlers, professional bowlers, and the Japanese representative of Miss International. For the pre-stage event, the chorus of Christmas is... and a classical hula show was performed. Christmas is... is a charity song in the a piece of water album in which more than one-hundred artists, including miyavi, worked together to create. Profits from its sale will be contributed to UNICEF. Families and couples who enjoyed shopping for Christmas gathered in front of the stage in the center plaza of Ebis Garden Place, and cheered and clapped to children's cheer leading and body builders' presentations.

The first attraction was Sandii, who was also featured on a piece of water and who drew everyone's attention with her traditional costume. Sitting down at a Hawaiian drum set in the center of the stage, she began to play and sing while Hula dancers who wore yellow Hawaiian costumes then appeared as well. Performing traditional songs and dances, their every movement was a picture of grace. Beside the stage to the right, street artist YORKE., who appeared in Christmas is...'s promotion video, gradually painted with various sprays and paints on a large piece of plywood. Capturing the the images from the music and the atmosphere on the wood, the finished piece was as tall as the artist himself.

The Hula dancers left the stage and the female singers featured on a piece of water took their places. They were model and singer Seira Kagami singing in English, singer Lisa Cristobal Miyake singing in Tagalog, singer Mai Charlotte singing in French, and singer and song writer Megumi Kawabata playing guitar and singing in Japanese. The intro of Christmas is... started, and singers sang their own part in English one after another, adding on the melodies gradually until the chorus was in full force with their lovely voices by the end. While YORKE. kept painting beside the stage silently, the young singers looked fresh, and Sandii gave strong performance.

In the Christmas season when towns are illuminated by beautiful lighting displays, people share time with their loving family and friends. On the other hand, there are people who feel down and are alone. I really hope the warmhearted message of this song; 'Let's try something for somebody, even just a little thing!' reaches not only these people, but also people all over the world.


Many thanks to a-head records.