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

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 Van Ho Ba hits Tay Ho!

This is what's hip this Saturday: The Van Ho Ba and Dhoopstick. Dhoopstick. That's a funny name. I guess so is the Van Ho Ba, but it all gets lost in translation in Hanoi, so who cares! The VHB refers to themselves as such: "The Van Ho Ba can be described as an unstoppable groove machine." I'd agree, and I'm itching to play trumpet (and Euphonium) with them again next time I visit Vietnam.

Food for thought

'Food for thought' is a new business in Viet Nam out to empower street kids to become employees and leaders in the hospitality industry. Having done a very small amount of development work but being associated with those that do, I am especially excited about this particular project because it is one in which egos have been put aside to truly concentrate on the purpose of empowerment. Empowerment is the quintessentially important aspect of sustainable development and eventual self-development within a country. It is Abraham Lincoln's notion of "teach a man to fish."
On egos: It is much too easy within an business, NGO or aid program to see oneself as the great savior of an exotic people. To effect any real change, we must see ourselves as global citizens, put aside our egos, and help a friend in need. The world is your neighbor. Social groups as Rotary, Lions, and Optimist clubs usually are the best at using their skills to create positive change.
Respect.
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Here's more detail on the organization from their site, fftfoundation.org:
"'food for thought’ brings together 5 star luxury and street kid poverty. The hospitality industry needs well-trained, enthusiastic and committed staff. Street and disadvantaged young people need education, training, and a chance – a chance to fulfill their potential, a chance to build a career and a chance to embrace a brighter future. ‘food for thought’ provides comprehensive hospitality training in a real-life environment for young, marginalized and disadvantaged kids. When they complete the 18-month training programme and have perfected their skills in our ‘food for thought’ training restaurant, these young people graduate to find secure long-term employment in local 5-star hotels and restaurants, enabling them to lead independent, productive & successful lives."

The Van Ho Ba strikes back

The Van Ho Ba is still out on the loose in Ha Noi, Viet Nam even after my leaving last year. Ok, ok...I'm just a trumpet player, but it's great to see something I kinda helped start continuing on. Recently, they had a few of my photos from a few months ago published in______________ as they've been playing the usual Ha Noi festivals and gigs after taking on a few more personnel. Hey guys, pop on some robes and announce the Viet Nam leg of a Polyphonic Spree tour! That'll get us some more gigs. he he he, I kid I kid!

Carbon Market

By far, my favorite market in Asia is Carbon Market in Cebu, Philippines. That's really saying a lot after seeing some awesome places in Ha Noi, Danang, Saigon, Phnom Penn, Luang Prabang, Siem Riep, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo. On assignment for Bigfoot Entertainment, I photographed the beautifully grungy market and its people. I'm told it's very dangerous there (especially to go alone as I did this time) but I found most people to be extremely friendly. My latest trip there was for a fashion shoot. More to come. Oh yes.

Editorials

Today, I've been in the Philippines for 1 month! woot! Funnily, I just received a 2-page editorial I've been waiting for to post. Looks like it takes moving to another country to keep up on my last country's publications. These are from Vietnamese magazines as photographed for Contraband and Things of Substance at the Intercontinental Hotel, Ha Noi. Photoshopping and graphic design (on ads) by Bethany Bauman. Model: Kristen Allerton. Above editorial is from Tư vấn Tiêu & Dùng Magazine. Thanks so much to Trang for sending these all the way from sunny Ha Noi, Viet Nam!


This ad and editorial are from The Word Magazine, Saigon


The last editorial is from Sức Mạnh Công Nghệ Magazine.

You can watch a video and read other posts about this shoot here and here.

Back in Texas

I'm back in Texas, but here's a better peek at that shoot I mentioned a while back:



This is a short & sweet look at a shoot for Australian fashion labels "Contraband" and "Things of Substance."

Shot at the Intercontinental Hotel (Ha Noi, Viet Nam) for Contraband's spring and summer line.

Music by the Thad Jones - Mel Lewis orchestra remixed by jazz arranger/composer John Guari
Video by Bethany Bauman (aka "B") and Michal García
model: Kristen Allerton

Below are the stills featured in the video. Enjoy!

BEcause, BEcause, BEcause, BEcause, BEcause!

BEcause of the wonderful things BE does! Bethany Bauman is a (super cool awesome) graphic designer living in Viet Nam and she created the program/poster/ticket designs for this weekend's performances of The Wizard of Oz - put on by the Ha Noi (not Kansas) International Theatre Society. So turn that frown upside down Toto, you'll be back to the cornfields before you know it and BE will be designing something new and exciting.

Here is her work from the show:


Check out her site at www.BE-what-you-are.com



Bethany made a unique ticket for each performance:






...and one last precious parting shot of our dear Toto:

The Van Ho Ba(nd)

- Insert caption here -

This is The Van Ho Ba, groovin' the socks off the crowd at the 2008 AusCham Big Day Out (at the Ha Noi American Club). Pictured above (L-R) Michal García (me!), Hannah, Lónan Ó Briain, Malcom Duckett (latin percussion) hiding in the back.
Photography by Lien Deweer.


Sean Tangey, in a pensive moment.


Emma Burns, our main vocalist showing us all "what it is!"


Our show on the 23rd is for a great cause, and at a beautiful venue!

¡Vina México!

Hoy es el Cinco de Mayo, and that means fiesta time for Mexicans whether in Mexico, America, or Viet Nam. Today celebrates the battle of Puebla in 1862 against the French. It also means that for one day I prance around with a sombrero on my finger and pay homage to the ziploc ads of the 90s. But seriously, if you see the frito bandito (pictured above) he's wanted - dead or alive.

Tonight we will visit the village of Santa Poco and battle El Guapo - it's "The Three Amigos" starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short. Clip below:



If you're caught up with fictional stories about Mexico, here's a gory one for you. Check out the new book Skull Rack from Doctor Ron Braithwaite.

Hanoi International Music Festival

Celebrating 10 years of the Minsk club in Vietnam, the Hanoi International Music Festival brought in some groovy bands. Great music flowed from Both Cheese, Peabody, James Harries, Stylish Nonsense and Ngu Cung stole the show. The shot above features the lead singer of Ngu Cung, all other shots are of Peabody.





lens flarin' it up!

Daluva

Discover Daluva - Wine, Tapas, and events in the Westlake district of Hanoi, Vietnam. Daluva was recently opened and featured in this month's "Feed Me" section of East & West magazine. This set of photos I took for Daluva's advertising and to decorate the walls of their cozy establishment.


Nem, one of the delicious tapas at Daluva and a Vietnamese specialty. True to my previous food photography, I promptly had a taste once the work was finished. It's yum, and my favorite tapas dish is the spicy Italian meatballs.


These are a few of the regulars from Westlake out for a drink. Daluva had the novel and tasty idea to throw two opening parties and an art exhibition in the first days. After about 5 weeks of business they have a solid customer base that far exceeded expectations. There's even a place for kids to play upstairs (and I know this because I never want to grow up).


...and a parting shot: red wine, white wine. Alone together.
Seriously, this place is good.
Daluva. mmm...

Do you live an Inter Continental life?

March. I started off strong this month by shooting the Spring line for the Australian brands Contraband and Things of Substance at the Hanoi Intercontinental Hotel. This is your sneak-peek into the shoot.


more to come!

feeling Krabi

In my recent travels though Viet Nam, Malaysia & Thailand I've begun taking a number of cityscapes. I'm especially impressed by the night lights (and architecture) of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur (below) and most highly impressed by the electric personality of Melanie Dunn (above).


Also in KL:


Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam - aka "Saigon"