February 1, 2014
Club Metro - Metro Daigaku
By: Keita Kitagawa, Miho Hosotani, Takuma Osawa
Club Metro was opened in 1990, and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2010, now making it one of Japan’s oldest clubs on the club circuit. Since its opening, Club Metro has focused on the music media, and the dream and things that artists try to communicate through their art. Of course, it is not always easy to build a club culture, especially in Japan, and without the customer’s empathy, this could not be realized.
Today, in contrast to Japanese society in the past, we can gain a certain understanding and sense of value about “Club Culture” or “Subculture”. Since its 14th anniversary, all Metro staff have been in step with a new experiment to include exposure to art, movies, literature, and even Maiko culture. Through this, Metro hopes to open up a ”space” to transmit a wider vision.
Besides music, the main function of Club Metro is to serve as a meeting place for lecturers and researchers. It is a place where you should not feel bound by the outside world and where you can enjoy a variety of entertainment forms as well as original performances.
In the spirit of philanthropy, they also host many charity and community events, such as:
7th of July 2013,
Drums 4 Drums:
A Fundraising Event in Aid of People in Rural Kenya
Drum and Dance performances, DJs, Great food and good friends.This was a fundraising event to help women and kids in rural Kenya, who have to make long trips just to get water for their families every day. All proceeds from the day were donated to help purchase Q-Drums, a rollable water drum that can easily transport up to 50 litres of water at a time. Please check out these cool drums on the Kopernik website. http://kopernik.info/
April 28th, 2013
Across the Universe: An international party
The purpose of this party was to expand friendship and respect among as many people as possible, as we are all of the same community of human beings. Many Kyoto University of Foreign Studies international students attended along with Japanese students.
The main music played was 70’s and 80’s disco, R&B classics, soul, black music style…etc. A DADAKAKA concert and DJ entertainment from DRAGON EARTH by Japa-Jamaican brothers: Dragon (Alex Tatzuma) and Earth (Hieroglyphic I poetry) was the highlight of this gig. In fact, they are the Club Metro owner’s sons, and Alex is a Kyoto University of Foreign Studies student! Besides all this, the event offered an international youth fashion show corner, where international students dressed up in their home country’s fashion and walked the runway to hip-hop sounds.
It is possible to reserve this place for concerts, parties for old boys’ or girls’ associations, or for the after party of wedding.
Students Party
- Price Plan:
It costs ¥ 60,000 (5.5hours) More than 5 bands / groups (+¥10,000)
¥500 (one drink minimum)
(It is possible to extend the time period if you pay an additional fee, but for every 30 minutes of extra time taken, a fee of ¥5,000 will be charged)
* If you want to select this plan, you will need to produce a current student ID card.
- Equipment Rental
Guitar amps×2 / Bass amp×1
Microphones×10, DJ set ,/ Mixer and lighting effects.
Drum kit ¥3,000
Private Party
- Price Plan:
It costs ¥80,000(5.5hours) More than 5 bands / groups (+¥10,000)
Free Drink plan ¥3,000(3hours)
Buffet plan ¥1,000(4-5dishes)
Buffet plan ¥1,500(4-5 dishes + hors d’oeuvre + dessert/fruit)
- Equipment Rental
Guitar amps×2 / Bass amp×1
Microphones×10, DJ set / Mixer and lighting effects.
Drum kit ¥3,000
Gallery Space
It is also possible to rent the space as a gallery for exhibiting photos ,paintings, art work ,posters and so on, and …. Its FREE!!!
Access to Club Metro
- By Kyoto City Bus and Kyoto Subway:
From Kyoto Station subway station take the Karasuma line train to Marutamachi Station. Next, take a 204 City bus eastbound to the Marutamachi /Kawabata stop , and take a short walk to Club Metro.
- By trains:
From JR Kyoto Station, take the Nara line train to Tofukuji Station and change to the Keihan line. Next, take the Keihan line train northbound and get off at Jinguu Marutamachi Station . Club Metro can be found at exit #2.
References:
http://www.metro.ne.jp/ Club Metro Web Site (last visit on 10th January, 2014)
Interview with Alex Tazsuma, Club Metro owner’s son and Kyoto University of Foreign Studies student (On 2nd January, 2014)