Chrismas Party 2003

Year by year, it seems as if Christmas party time arrives earlier and earlier. What this proves is that the regulars of Little MANUELA are getting older. It is now our custom to hold the Christmas party on the Emperor's Birthday, December 23rd. Also, this year, "Party's Party" which takes place every even month, was held jointly with the Christmas party.

When it came to Christmas parties, the rule was that Sawada-san acted as the MC, but this year, an aberration. He is not ill or anything. Just that he has gone off to Hawaii, regardless of his friends who have converged on Little MANUELA.

So, here's Shozo Sugimura, alias Sugi-chan who took over as the MC. Of the 50 or so guests attending, those who do not sing count less than ten. All the rest sing or dance or play, or have one act or another, so to be the MC is a big job.

The MC has to think of the order and other things to run the whole party smoothly. Great job, Sugi-chan!


MANUELA BAND FOR THE PARTY
The accompaniment, from left to right, by the Messrs Makino, Shiraishi, Nakata, Oosumi, and Oohashi.

 
Kana G Turned Loose.

This is the 4th year as COO of Hokuriku Broadcasting Co. for Shiraishi-san, so he makes phone calls, calling himself "Kana-G" meaning he is the "Jii(old man) from Kanazawa". Since he used to show up nightly at Little MANUELA, he really looks forward to his occasional return to Tokyo.

 
All Alone Am I
 
 
 
Suzuki-san
Long time, no see
Tokugawa-san
His true taste can be appreciated only by the most sophisticated
 
 
 
With Miyao-san
"Jail House Rock" in honor of Sadaam Hussein
Tomura-san
He sings with a resonant voice.

Costume time

Kubota-san
Your hand is protruding!
Ootomo-san and the OZ SONS
What an angelic chorus!
Kotori
Velma from "Chicago"

MANUELA's Christmas is incomplete without costumes.
Inumaru-san as a Police Chief and a rag picker is a legend.
"Baka-Tono"(Silly Feudal Lord, a TV character) was around, too.
Tradition lives on.

"If we're gonna Masquerade, better make it good."
"Nah, it's turning out to be a Charade, better quit."

"Hey, Beauty!"
"'Course, I'm Mikko Yoshida!"
 
OK, the real one.

Attraction Tap Dance
Trio ONO, Oohashi, Nakata and Oakada's tap dancing.
For encore, the same dance twice.
Tap Instructor and Choreographer

PANORAMA SCENERY
What's drawn everybody's attention? Dunno. Maybe the tap dance?
The verse of "White Christmas" by Ootomo-san's narration.

Everybody Sings!
Yanai-san, former Japanese ambassador to the US.
Katsue Yoshida san
Nagao san
How many times has he had to do hara-kiri?
Noguchi-san
He's a regular of "Twilight Open"
Hattori-san
"Diana" is his favorite.
Kuga-san
"Only Love" every night
Ikeda-san
Enomoto big sis
Enomoto li'le sis
Nakayama-san
Practicing "kiyomoto (a style of Japanese dramatic singing)"?
Ootomo-san
"New York, New York"
With OZ SONS for the back chorus.
There was supposed to be a big stage with this in September
Ohashi-san
was tired but sang.

CHORUS EN MASSE
   
Manuela Sisters
First time in 9 months.
Now that Kayoko is back in full swing, watch out, everyone!
Now-A-Ladies
No one's taking a shut-eye.
Is the photographer that good?
As usual
As always

We sang, we ate, and we drank to our heart's content.

Murayama-kun prepared all the cuisine. How many delicacies were on the menu?
They were all delicious, and served smartly and well, the service was superb.

      Back Stage(next-door club)
MANUELA Staff
Tons of shots taken by Kubota-san, the self-appointed official photographer for Little MANUELA has arrived, so the pick of the prize-winning pics are added now.
 
 
Christmas Party, 2002