The Ramen Crew heads to Oaktown, CA for a large Toyota AE86 Corolla meet.
Ramen Crew @ the Slide Your Ride’s 86 Festival 2013
September 26, 2013 by 3 Comments
Pebble Watch Review
July 5, 2013 by 1 Comment
[Pebble Watch]
My Pebble watch finally arrived! For those who don’t know, this watch is an e-ink display watch which communicates via bluetooth with a smart phone. It rose in popularity due to its interesting design blowing past it’s Kickstarter goal by BIZZZZZILIONS of dollars.
Not being a watch person for many years, I was intrigued by the project and succumbed to its siren’s calling. I backed the watch in May 2012 and waited. And waited. And waited until it arrived. It’s finally in my hands and here’s some quick thoughts!
Package:
The box was made out of cardboard and had an easy to remove pull-string. Inside was the watch and USB charge cable. That’s it – nice and simple. Reminded me of Apple’s minimalistic packaging.
[Packaging]
Watch:
If I had to describe the watch, I would categorize it as a sporty looking watch. The e-paper display looks good in the daylight and the night time. It has four buttons, up / down / select / back, and a section for the magnetic charge port.
[Menu System]
Introducing the Cosplay pop outfit: the Super Dolls
April 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
What happens when you put together a World Famous Cosplayer, a World Cosplay Summit Grand Champion, and Cosplayer/Singer/Voice Actress together? You get the – Super Dolls featuring Alodia, RiE, and Fujaara with their first single: “アジアの変身（Asia no henshin)” The album drops May 2013 in the Philippines and June 5th, 2013 in Japan.
Spotlight #9: 2012 Japanese Classic Car Show
October 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
On September 15th, 2012, the annual Japanese Classic Car Show (JCCS) took place in Long Beach, California. The show features classic JDM rides like Toyota’s AE86 and cool Datsun cars from a bygone era. Here’s a video highlight of what took place at the event. Videography and editing by Richard Sze for Project 760 Productions.
Contributed by Ray Nagar, Executive Producer, Project 760 Productions
Spotlight #8: Behind-the-Scenes with Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco
October 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Retrenders visited Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco to catch a glimpse into the intense planning and preparation that took place months ago for the upcoming 20th anniversary show, “Las Pinturas de Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo en Movimiento” (The paintings of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Movement).
Ensambles, a premier Mexican folk dance company in San Francisco, has been presenting the art, dance and culture of Mexico on stages and venues in the Bay Area and abroad throughout the last 20 years.
The company, led by artistic visionary, Zenón Barron, will be presenting its capstone performances at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco and at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park.
The cast of Ensambles is over 35 dancers strong, with training in multiple dance disciplines. The special presentation will bring together the dance company and three of the Bay Area’s finest traditional musical groups: Vinic-Kay (La Gente y el Canto), Cascada de Flores and Los Compas.
Show schedule:
November 3, 2012 – 7:30pm – Herbst Theater, San Francisco
November 17, 2012 – 7:30pm – Spreckels Performing Arts Center, Rohnert Park
Tickets can be purchased at City Box Office
For more info, see: Ensambles and Cascada de Flores
Contributed by Al Morales (aka greyluvr)
Host, Retrenders Spotlight
Spotlight #7: Comedy Bodega
September 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Retrenders Spotlight stopped by Esta Noche nightclub in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District for Comedy Bodega, a weekly comedy fest that brings local and national talent to the intimate stage.
For the last seven seasons, on every Thursday at 8pm, Esta Noche has opened its doors to Bay Area comedy seekers…completely FREE OF CHARGE.
Retrenders pinned down host and producer, Marga Gomez, to discuss what makes Comedy Bodega an attractive platform for many Bay Area comics.
Flashback: ThunderCats (1985)
September 21, 2012 by 4 Comments
Sooo…the 80s had some great cartoon series! Enter ThunderCats, the American/Japanese animated television series that brought a band of animated wild cats, Lion-O, Cheetara, Panthro, Tygra, WilyKit and WilyKat, and Snarf.
DC Nation’s Batman of Shanghai
September 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Cartoon Network’s DC Nation in the last few months have been showing short clips of Batman set in Shanghai. The animation is spectacular with nonstop action and awesome animated movement for all characters.
Produced by Chinese animation studio Wolf Smoke, they created this three part adventure which places Catwoman, Bane, and the Dark Knight himself in 1930’s Shanghai for an all-out battle of thievery and heart-pounding kung fu! Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3L45lW6Hi9w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PBn3pfE4W8k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MpBUP3brSgU
— Contributed by Karen Jang
8-Bit “Never Gonna Give You Up”
September 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
So last week we gave you a Mad Men version of the Rick Astley…dare I say “classic?” If that tickled your fancy and are always on the look out for different versions of that heart-swooning song, may I present an 8 bit version?
Don’t pretend you didn’t like it.
++++++++
By Contributing Blogger: M. Do.
Spotlight #6: The Art of Junko Mizuno
September 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
ALHAMBRA, CA. Known for her “cute noir” art style in Japan and in the States, Junko Mizuno is an underground artist that has been featured worldwide on television and in print media. We caught up with Junko at Gallery Nucleus for her exhibition on Hansel & Gretel. Listen to Junko in her own words on her art and career by Project 760 Productions’ Richard Sze.
Make Music with Incredibox
August 28, 2012 by 1 Comment
I found a new timesuck. Incredibox is an amazing website where you can create your own music by selecting various melodies, beats, effects, and choruses together to create a unique and distinct musical piece of your own. The best aspect of the application is that you can visually see all your additions at work by dragging and dropping various icons representing each desired effect onto the avatar. You can then record and share your creation with your friends and see among which of you is the most musically inclined.
Spotlight #5: Ozomatli
August 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Retrenders Spotlight took in the eclectic rhythms and musical tapestry of L.A.-based, Ozomatli, during part of the City’s summertime Stern Grove Festival.
Feel Good Film Festival 2012
August 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A film festival that makes you feel good, the Feel Good Film Festival 2012, took place in North Hollywood, CA on August 3-5, 2012. Here are the highlights from the festival brought to by Azure Lorica and Project 760 Productions:
Titan Books: Lenore – Swirlies
August 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
When I was passed Swirlies, a collection of Lenore comics by Roman Dirge, I was thrown into a nostalgic memory of years past. I was introduced to Lenore by a friend 10 years ago and I was quite captivated by the cute undead girl with her various quirks and morbid humor. Before I even opened the book, I was a little worried about how I would find the comic now. Oftentimes our present selves become disappointed with items of our past, outgrowing material we had cherished due to changing tastes or even just due to age. I remember the last time I cleaned up around the house, I found a stack of old comic books that, upon reading, I discovered that I no longer found them funny or interesting. I was quite saddened as I realized that they didn’t mean anything to me now other than childhood memories so I passed them off to someone younger who would appreciate them.
The Humanae Project: The Ultimate Pantone Chart
August 14, 2012 by 1 Comment
Brazilian artist Angelica Dass is attempting to catalog a “chromatic inventory” of all possible human skin tones in her Humanae Project. She takes an 11 x 11 picture of an individual, and matches it to a similar shade in the Pantone color classification system. Rather remarkable and simply mesmerizing.
626 Night Market
August 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment
PASADENA, CA. The 626 Night Market brings a popular Asian icon to Pasadena while supporting local businesses. Based on popular night markets in Taiwan that sell snacks, fad foods, and a wide range of consumer goods, the Southern California rendition of the event attracted visitors from all over Southern California for the second time in 2012 to experience a taste of Asian culture. Get a glimpse of the 626 Night Market on SPOT, brought to you by Project 760’s Joshua Sean Solomon.
San Diego Comic Con 2012 Photo Gallery
July 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment
San Diego Comic Con 2012 came and went, but here’s a photo gallery recap of the various happenings at the ‘Con by our Guest Photographer and Friend of Retrenders, Winky.
Is That a Plane in Your Pocket?
July 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Pocket Planes Title Screen
Nimblebit, the team that brought you Tiny Tower, is back with a new game called Pocket Planes. Instead of managing a tower, you’re in charge of managing an airline.
If I had to classify this game, I would place it in the time management style of games. It starts you off with a plane and a couple of airports and your job is to move passengers and cargo from one airport to another while maximizing profit. As you make money, you expand your airline with more planes and airports.
Fortaleza Airport
Creative Photography from La Souris sur le Gateau
July 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
La Souris Sur Le Gateau is a French photo-retouching company that creates playful images using commercial photography. They combine various photos together to create a creative and whimsical image that can’t help but bring a smile to your face. La Souris Sur Le Gateau has worked with various clients such as Volkswagen, Playstation, L’oreal, and Nissan, just to name a few.
Flashback: Don’t Go (1982)
July 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
“Don’t Go” featured a catchy, melodic and synthesized tune for the British New Wave band, Yazoo. It was released in May 1982 as the second single from their debut album, Upstairs at Eric’s.
Women’s Nike Dunk SB High Heels
July 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Women no need to suffer on formal nights anymore! We can dance the night away in these Nike Dunks without the stinging blisters! We can now finally slow dance on the basketball courts if the need arises.
LEGO’s First Haunted House!
July 10, 2012 by 1 Comment
This September, LEGO will release this highly detailed set. Costing $179.99 and consisting of 2,064 pieces, it features 6 minifigures including Haunted House staples such as a glow-in-the-dark ghosts and a zombie chef.
The Next Big Thing: Target + Neiman Marcus + 24 Designers
July 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Get ready guys and gals, Target AND Neiman Marcus will be collaborating to bring together a holiday collection that will be available at both retailers, in-store and online. Of course, all items are limited edition. The collection drops on December 1st.
The Japanese Singing Note Toy
July 8, 2012 by 3 Comments
Japanese toys are innovative, unique, and just plain weird! But hey, what’s life if it’s not spontaneous? So, what did our favorite engineering friends come up with this time? It is the cutest and weirdest instrument ever!! See how it works! The man in the video is Novmichi Tosa, the inventor of Otomatone – this wacky new instrument sweeping the nation. It follows a scale and comes with musical notes and everything!
“The Star Wars That I Used to Know”
July 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Here’s a rather opinionated spoof of the Gotye hit, “Somebody That I Used To Know” – of course, totally Star Wars style.
Johnny Moreno
Edward Ballar
GuestContributor
Ramon Angel
Al Woo
Stephen Jang
SW biko
Retrenders 