Hasselblad

I recently checked out a recent Hasselblad event with Jing Jiang and got to play with all the great equipment, including the latest 50-megapixel death machine :-)

Van Ho Ba meets the end

The image of me playing trumpet about a year ago in Hanoi has now become an icon for the Van Ho Ba, a group that's just had it's last gig.
Photography by Bethany Bauman
Remixed by Kate

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee lives forever at Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong

Mik Nawooj video interview

New video interview (remixed by me) of the Ensemble Mik Nawooj for those doubters of older forms of music dying. These guys rock!



Facebook users click here if you can't see the video.

More info:

Former Dentonite and University of North Texas alumnus Chris Nicholas joins with Korean composer JooWan Kim (aka Mik Nawooj) in California for a a new take on music-making which truly blends classical music with hip hop and other popular forms. Chris Nicholas is a featured soloist in their chamber hip-hop opera (or as I like to say "hiphopera") titled "Great Integraton." JooWan Kim was formerly managed by Jazz legend Ahmad Jamal who helped Kim secure a lifetime endorsement from Steinway & Sons Piano Company. Utilizing social media and their musical talents, the group is fundraising to perform a touring full version of "Great Integration" complete with dancers from the Pushdance Company and various Jazz and classical musicians including MC Kirby Dominant.

myspace.com/ensemblemiknawooj
Facebook: Great Integration
motionfest.org
motionfestblog.blogspot.com
pushdance.org

video and audio content used with permission in association with Ensemble Mik Nawooj and MyDentonMusic.com

video by Michael Goodier
additional video by the Push Dance Company
Remix by Michal Garcia

Thanksgiving in Asia

These are the images of yesteryear's Thanksgiving celebration with coworkers and fellow filmmakers at Bigfoot Entertainment on Mactan Island, Philippines. I must say, turkey has never tasted quite this good! Up above (L-R) Lori, Keith, Katie and Daphne.

Lori and Daphne have some silly wide angle fun!

Katie and Mark pose with Jenni Trang, the 1st AD for Tears from Afar.

Gaffer Brad Draper, Daphne, Mauren, and Nick group hug for the camera.

Konstanze, John (very new at the time) and Daphne in a candid moment :-)


John Sabato poses with Sunny.

Justin Cronkite enjoys a drink at Abaca.

Brotherly cinematographers: Steve and Ken

Halloweiners

Last Halloween was a blast at Tiki bar in Cebu, Philippines! We all dressed up, played music and listened to comedy by Richard Hearsey. There was even a Sarah Palin Impersonator!


Tara & Tabatha as vampiresses!Lori, Lawrence, and Daphne


Some guy dressed as a triangle warrior. Hey, at least we know he's not a square! HA HA....ha.
Denisse and Ben
Myself and Rick Robinson

Taiwo dressed as something - Mr. Bond?

"I'm Chris...I eat people"

Oso Closo: First sounds in Hong Kong

Today, I received in the mail Oso Closo's new album "Today is beauty's Birthday." Those musical geniuses in the bands also happen to be marketing geniuses and were able to raise the funds for their albums through presale albums that are signed. My eager ears are already listening to their tunes and I'm diggin' it the pace and surprises here and there with the strings section, wailing guitar solos, and modern yet nostalgic vibe. The funny part about the album is the legalish disclaimer on the actual CD: "Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited by law, but honestly, if you want someone to have this, and finances are an issue, just copy it. Just promise that you'll come to a show next time we're in town. Thanks."


Photographed on Henessy Road in Hong Kong SAR, China

Li Xiaochuan Quartet in HK

Just a few images from earlier Pegasus News / My Denton Music story featuring the Li Xiaochuan Quartet.

I'm huge on twitter

Twestival HK was a success, raising over $30,000HKD for charity. Enjoy these photos and my facebook album of the event. You can also follow these and other images on my twitter account @michalgarcia which is the main reason I stopped blogging for a month. I was still blogging, just micro-blogging.

Robocop Camera

I put together this camera setup for the Hong Kong Twestival - it's a ridiculous bunch of metal, two flash units and a pocketwizard for synchronization. This thing is so heavy it's practically a medieval weapon, or maybe the evil robot in Robocop. I'm looking forward to the images!

back in the Pegasus News

I recently wrote a feature for My Denton Music that's been featured on the Pegasus News front page. My Denton Music is a Texas music site in a town with a disproportionate share of amazing music. Pegasus a few months back jumped at the chance to syndicate content from My Denton Music as a constantly interesting source of stories. Have a read and enjoy the images I also shot for the story.

"I didn't even bring my dancin' shoes"

Snarky Puppy meets a groovy Octogenarian!

25 years old, and more awesomeness to come!

I turned 25 years old today, and am very happy to have become a part of the Hong Kong community. I have many more goals and feel I'm on the right track because of this: I've learned how to create meaningful relationships. I care about people and want them to be able to enjoy life as much as I do. That is why you must view this wonderful animation by my fellow photographer friend Li Fan:



Enjoy!

Be a part of Rock History.

After reading a well-written and inspiring Denton Record Chronicle article by Lucinda Breeding I put a few bucks to the Oso Closo Second Album Fund Drive. This Denton band makes awesome, creative music that must be spread to the ear drums of many nations. Oso Closo's website is also very cool and extremely functional. Double Kudos for hosting an epic concert on my birthday at Hailey's in conjunction and MyDentonMusic is streaming it live on the internet - that's great news because I'm in Hong Kong and quite geographically challenged.


Denton Record Chronicle article suggested by music enthusiast Sarah Crisman via her twitter feed.

Declare Independence / The New American

Björk says:
"Declare Indpendence!
Don't let them do that to you!
With a flag and a trumpet Go to the top of your highest mountain!
And raise your flag!
Higher! Higher!"

The United States of America is a country and an idea, hence:
The New American looks toward diversity as common ground. The New American works toward a sustainable way of life. The New American is peaceful and passionate, open to ideas and innovation yet firm in their beliefs. The New American is not proud of oneself, but proud to empower others. The New American is a global citizen. They need not hold a United States passport in their hands, but simply an idea in their mind, truth in their speech, and actions to complement their noble intentions.



Bjórk has well-guided passion. I do ask of you blog readers, how effective do you perceive her to be?

Jason Levi's new blog

The blogosphere is such a wealth of information because it's made by a collective of niche bloggers that offer niche readers and regular folks a new way of looking at their specific problems, ideas, goals, dreams etcetera. One of my new favorites is that of Jason Levi, a trumpet player and author and entrepreneur - and this list continues. Jason's new blog is awesome because it dispels the myth that a person can only be good at one thing. Quite simply, the reason why people are only good at one thing is because someone limited them from their potential, probably by saying "What are you going to be when you grow up" rather than having a more open idea of life and saying "Never grow up and do everything you want to do."

[photo above is from the Addison Jazz Festival a few years ago at a performance of the UNT One O'clock Lab Band]

Fair Dinkum on CNN

For the last 3 months, I've had the pleasure of being part of an amazing dragonboat team in Hong Kong called "Fair Dinkum." At the Stanley races, CNN featured our team at the beginning of their report on the races. I don't appear but all my friends do.
Gimme a hoo-ha!

Be What You Are

I was very pleased to come across a friend's graphic design site previously unfinished, now filled with exciting projects and assorted sweets for your ocular nerves. Bethany Bauman and I used to kick it back in 'Nam (that's Hanoi, Vietnam for the rest of y'all) just over a year ago. Now Bethany has moved to one of my favorite cities in the whole world: Austin, Texas! Give her some love by visiting her site and enjoying her cool portfolio.

(Thanks for including me in the links section BE!)

"The prodigal daughter has returned!"

Sarah Renfro visited Denton from New York and my photography was featured in the Pegasus News once again, through a syndication of MyDentonMusic.com - check out the article here. Listen to Sarah here.

National Geographic

Out of the blue a colleague sent me a revised version of a mock-ad we did at the University of North Texas. Here it is! Design by Greg Poszywak, photography by me.

My Snarky Puppy photography and interview in Pegasus News

When I was last in Texas, I did an interview of Snarky Puppy that has now been featured in the Pegasus News in alliance with My Denton Music. Check it out HERE. Pegasus included the audio interview.

1000 friends on facebook

I hit 1000 friends on facebook after using it since November 2004. Feel the power of social media! Facebook's been excellent for scheduling many appointments, parties and other gatherings in the past 5 years of my life. Just yesterday, I spent the day in Hong Kong with a fellow exchange student from Japan - we both lived in Australia 6 years ago. Last summer and this Christmas, I stayed with friends who have moved to New Jersey and I also photographed a Texas artist in New York. I also coordinated a number of photographic, writing, and recording projects in Texas - from Asia. I use facebook to syndicate this blog and make my posts more relevant. Some of my family has recently joined facebook. It is an interface in which I connect to people who I care about, and I am thankful for it.

Sarah Renfro eaten alive in Brooklyn

I want to write many, many words about Sarah Renfro's New York television appearance and her new live album available through her myspace page but this is all I will say: Watch the video (above) and enjoy. Listen to the live album Eaten Alive for a very entertaining and deeply personal set.


Sarah sings and plays keys, ukelele (not violin) and kalimba.
I photographed the album cover.
$10 on the album, a bag of popcorn and a dill pickle will give you hours of glee (and pain).

*Concertos not included.

Fire Dancing on Lantau

About once a month, a motley group of friends gathers in Pui O on Lantau Island to celebrate the coming of the full moon. They eat, play drums, laugh, and dance with fire. Yes they do!