In Tokyo, Golden Week will be magically transformed into Rainbow Week, in celebration of LGBT pride. Tokyo Rainbow Pride will kick off the start of a weeklong string of festivities and events, and will be held today, Sunday, April 28th at Yoyogi Park Outdoor Stage area. The pride events start at 11am, where there will be over 25 booths hosted by LGBT groups in Japan, queer businesses selling rainbow goods and more, and an “International Row” where 9 countries’ embassies and tourist offices will exhibit queer life around the world, and excellent LGBT travel destinations.
The stage program starts at 11am. Parade starts at 12:30pm.
Let’s get the party going in Yoyogi Park together with a wide variety of performers!!!
Live Broadcasting on USTREAM!
We are working on setting up live broadcasting on USTREAM. If you cannot come to TRP, why don't you enjoy TRP on USTREAM?
* We apologize that not all performances are available for live broadcasting because of performers' preferences.
| Program & Performance Schedule | |
| 11:00-11:10 | Opening: Greetings from the Emcees and Steering Committee |
| 11:10-11:20 | ★ Nijigumi Fights |
| 11:20-11:25 | Floats Introduction |
| 11:25-11:45 | ★ Maki Nomiya & BIBA |
| 11:45-12:00 | ★ ARAJUJI |
| 14:00-14:10 | Participating Booths Introduction |
| 14:10-14:40 | Speech |
| 14:40-14:50 | ★ Harp and Soul |
| 14:50-15:00 | ★ Men⇔Dy |
| 15:00-15:10 | ★ Nicho Hello |
| 15:10-15:20 | ★ NSM48 （Nagoya Sexual Minority） |
| 15:20-15:50 | Tokyo Rainbow Week Presents |
| 15:50-16:00 | ★ Rachael D'Amour |
| 16:00-16:10 | ★ Die Schwarze Frau |
| 16:10-16:20 | ★ Fab Academy 「Sassy Girls」 |
| 16:20-16:30 | Event Announcements |
| 16:30-16:40 | ★ Kim Bianca |
| 16:40-17:00 | ★ Jay & Gospel Friends |
| 17:00-17:20 | ★ Ataru Nakamura |
| 17:20-17:30 | Finale |
Special Guests
Maki Nomiya & BIBA 11:25～
Nomiya made her major debut with her song “Pink Heart (Pinku No Hato)” in 1981. She was a vocalist for the band Portable Rock and became a representative figure in the New Wave music scene of the 1980s. In the 1990s, she joined the band Pizzicato Five and garnered tremendous popularity in Japan and beyond as an icon of Shibuya culture. With her unique presence and voice, Nomiya is currently active in many areas beyond music, such as culture, art and fashion. Her theatrical performances have also been gaining prominence in recent years. In 2011, she re-released her debut album with additional bonus tracks in celebration of the 30th anniversary of her debut.
Ataru Nakamura 17:00～
Transgender singer Ataru Nakamura made her major debut at age 21 in 2006. Her song, “Song for Friends (Tomodachi No Uta)”, which she wrote at age 15, was a great hit. She performed at the NHK Red & White Song Battle (Kohaku Utagassen) in 2007 and won the Best Record Award at the Japan Record Awards in 2010. She is a talented artist who has many live performances. It was because of TRP’s slogan, “Towards a society where everyone can live a life true to themselves,” that inspired her to perform at Tokyo Rainbow Pride.
MCs
Kim BiancaMC16:30～
Bianca is a singer, song writer, an entertainer and a writer. She started dancing while at college and worked as a choreographer all throughout Japan. She performed mainly in clubs, and suddenly she started to appear wearing a kimono and bondage gear. She became popular, like a “Japanese Madonna” and “Sex Icon” due to her gorgeous and artistic performance and sense of music. In September 2008, her performance was praised very highly by Ai Iijima, who was a Japanese media personality, writer and actress who passed away at the end of 2008.
Esmralda MC
A drag queen born in 1972. Esmralda started to perform as a drag queen from 1994, and performed at events and appeared in the media. In August 2002, Esmralda obtained the “Heaven Artist” license in Tokyo.twitter：@esmralda001
Stage Performers (in order of appearance)
Nijigumi Fights 11:10～
Nijigumi Fights is a gay idol group started in 2009. Their main activities include appearing at events and recording their own original songs. They recruit new members periodically, and currently over 70 members all around the country from 1st to 6th generation are on the books.
ARAJUJI 11:45～
Arajuji perform Acer, a kind of dance which is popular in Okinawa. Our goal is no less than to enjoy dancing together with everybody. We hope to show you a rainbow-like dance where our various-colored members surpass their various differences and come together as one. Stay tuned!!!
Harp and Soul 14:40～
Harp and Soul are a four-woman indie/pop unit formed in 2012. They started performing music that they themselves liked in live music clubs where their workmates gathered. Singer-songwriter, Aimee Blackschleger, is a talented artist who worked on many songs for commercials, computer games and anime. Unique lyrics beyond your imagination and beautiful melodies are the hallmarks of the songs she creates. Singer, Hikari Duncan, has captured the hearts of many guests at live concerts and bridal events with her deeply soulful singing voice. Percussionist, Gisappe, is a drummer who came into the field of rock music after starting to learn the drums at age 13. In this band, she plays a box-shaped drum called a “Cajón” which originated in Peruvian music. Harpist Kaoru Arai creates her own characteristic colors and atmosphere using the grand harp and Irish harp.
Men⇔Dy14:50～
Men⇔Dy began writing song lyrics at age 8 and gave first live performance at age 9. Prompted by the experience of belonging to the editorial department for an information magazine while enrolled in middle school, Men⇔Dy began radio and emcee activities.On a project for an information magazine, Men⇔Dy created the first CD while enrolled in high school. Men⇔Dy began activities under the name of Men⇔Dy in 2007 and launched new album “Fragiler” on 3 February 2013.
Nicho Hello 15:00～
Nicho Hello has been active for 2 years based on the concept that “Gays can be idols too”. Under the demon tutelage of Nicho Hello P, the members face the challenge of tough tests every day. Nicho Hello is a multi-talented gay idol group who has recently been in charge of the idol group Bis’s choreography and also made a joint appearance with Morning Musume, which is the main branch of Nicho Hello. Now Nicho Hello is planning to hold its first live performance next May with new members who were chosen from 20 to 30 candidates from all over Japan last January.
NSM48 (Nagoya Sexual Minority) 15:10～
For us, performing on the stage in Yoyogi park is like having our concert in Tokyo Dome★ We will put on an energetic performance full of the joy of being able to perform on the stage of our dreams and the heartfelt feeling of “it’s okay to be ourselves”! We’re still on a learning curve, but we’ll liven things up with “that song” that you all know!!
Rachel D’Amour15:50～
Has been active at a wide range of events since the early 1990s, from underground club events to all types of artists’ live performances. She has also appeared in many PVs and live performances. Her words to live by are “If I can live my life as I wish, nothing would make me happier.” In recent years she has also broken into the DJ industry. She is a master of all genres, from Latin to Japanese kayoukyoku. For 2014, she will play the main role in the movie Welcome to the School of Beauty.
Die Schwarze Frau 16:00～
Born in 1670, Die Schwarze Frau was accused of being the Witch of Darkness several years later, burnt alive at the stake, and reborn to the current era in 2012. She is now on the journey to get back at such stupid human beings. Her name in German means ‘woman in darkness’. She is a gothic-style diva dressed up in splendid clothing who attracts people with uptempo, dramatic and very emotional expressions, mysterious dances, and lip synch. The theme of her show ‘Monochromic Schizophrenian Showdown’ is ‘collapse of schizophrenia of monochrome.’ She usually performs at various gothic or subcultural nightclubs in Tokyo.
Fab Academy 「Sassy Girls」 16:10～
A group of 7 students of KIKE who have been practicing dance regularly for 2 years. They dance to street sassy hip-hop jazz and performed at several parties and events in Tokyo. They are always popular with the audience and have a fabulous charisma together. They are also fully produced (hair, make-up and costumes) by KIKE.
Jay & Gospel Friends16:40～
Jay is a talented singer from Cebu Island, Philippines. He mainly sings soul, jazz and gospel but he also sings other genres as his voice has a wide range with 4 octaves. His songs are well-known in TV commercials in Japan. So far, he has performed with many other singers such as Stevie Wonder, Akiko Wada, Hideki Saijo, Tatsuya Ishii, Tokiko Kato, Taro Hakase, Marlene, Ken Hirai, etc.Floats
- Registration to walk in the parade starts at 9:30. The first 250 people for each float who register will receive a ribbon to walk with their chosen float.
- We offer support in Japanese, Chinese, English, Korean, and sign language.
[1] Happy Pride！
Pride is a universal term used to describe LGBT parades all around the world. Along with Happy Pride, let’s all high five and celebrate the parade!
Ribbon red
[2] FTM GRAMMY TOKYO
FTM GRAMMY is an event with a DJ and dancers, with FTM as the lead act. At TOKYO RAINBOW PRIDE 2013, we will be putting together a float that values everybody’s identity by saying “we want to live free!” GRAMMY DJs will be putting on a club-like performance and it’s going to be hot! People all over the world will be there, unique in their sexuality. Definitely come along and enjoy this huge party. Make some noise!
Ribbon yellow
Music We will mainly play popular electro pop and electro like Lady Gaga, Avicii and Zedd! We will try our best to play the sort of tunes that everybody knows and that bring a happy atmosphere!!
[3] Nijigumi Fights
This is a float from the gay idols, Nijigumi Fights. We invite those who know and love us and those who’ve never heard of us to come sing and dance along with us and enjoy the parade!
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[4] All Be Friends Beyond Sexuality -"All Human Mix"-
No matter if you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or straight, we are all friends who respect each other’s individuality. Go-go dancers representing all kinds of sexualities will help us bring this parade to life.
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Music Nijiiro Fights’ original songs are of course those of Morning Musume. Let’s go full throttle with idols’ tunes, starting with Hello projects’ songs!
[5] EROS
EROS is a women-only party held on the first Saturday of every month! All our wonderful staff are waiting for you at “Royal” in Kabukicho! EROS is here to support all women!
Ribbon navy
Music We’ll play tunes to the image of strong, majestic women! We’ll have some sexy ones too! Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Madonna!
[6] BUSU Party -Enjoy the BUSU-
You think that BUSU is a terrible word? Not at all! We call each other BUSU, not to hurt, but to heal. BUSU parties are nothing but fun, open events that anyone can enjoy! So everyone, come along and enjoy being BUSU with us!
Ribbon pink
Music All J-Pop setlist! We’ll feature loads of uplifting, cheerful tunes. ayumi hamasaki, Amuro Namie, Genki Rockets, Johnny’s, Perfume, Tanaka Yasutaka, FUNKY MONKEY BABYS, Kana Nishino!!
[7] Under the Rainbow Flag -"Flags of Pride"-
The Rainbow Flag is a symbol of all sexual minorities. All of us will be holding a giant rainbow flag and walking in the parade. Let’s all enjoy this display of unity!
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[8] NSM48 Floats
This is a float from the group Nagoya Sexual Minority 48, shortened to NSM48! The NSM48 float will be using the music from the idol group AKB48 to help get this parade going! Even if you’re a little shy, come along and you’ll be having fun in no time ★
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Music Jampacked with tunes by 48 groups such as AKB48! Let’s walk and dance round Shibuya and Harajuku to the sound of 48, the pride of Japan! I want you!!
[9] TOKYO GAY NIGHT
This a float from TOKYO GAY NIGHT, the largest event in Japan where gay men can come and meet each other, held on the first Saturday of every month at Shinjuku Christon Cafe. On the night of the Parade, Ageha is also putting on a show! Day and night, let’s all party!
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Source: 1, 2, 3