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.
-
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!

One Year and going strong!

Today, I've been blogging for one year. Hooray! Here a shots from Carbon Market to celebrate!

...And you helped me get here. In this year, there has been an exciting shift between countries and people I have met and become close to. I made a number of goals and reached them: published in magazines, shot for Fashion TV and am working at a film production studio. I also returned to Asia and found I really like it but do miss my Texas roots. I want to thank all my family and other friends that supported me during this very transitional year for me and a strange different thank you goes to those that have made my life a positive (or negative) challenge to overcome. If I didn't have character before, I certainly found it!
Now the next challenge has arisen - finding another job in the next two months. Offers, ideas, and encouragement are very welcome.

Hair & Makeup: Sally Paganoni
Wardrobe by Cherry
Models: Tara Elizabeth and Tabatha Nielsen
Shot Tuesday November 18th by Michal García





This year I was in Texas, New York, Mexico, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. It would be nice to settle for just a little bit...

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.

The end of an era

A few days ago marked the end of an era. Until I lived in Australia, I never wore flip-flops. Since then, I rarely wore a pair that lasted more than a few months let alone traveling with them across the globe. The flip flops pictured above were on my feet in Colorado, Texas, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Japan, New York and the Philippines. The real transition is that they have bridged my university and professional career. And so, my dear chanclas were given their last walk in the monte on my way home in Cebu, Philippines and I paused for a brief emotional moment. It was the second time (perhaps the first was graduating from UNT) I've told myself "This is the first day of the rest of your life..."

Below are a few shots of the magical summer with the UNT jazz repertory ensemble in Crested Butte Colorado:


I'm pretty much jumping off a cliff in this shot. Not endorsed by the University of North Texas.


Portrait of Blackwell and self-portrait all at once.


Whiffleball rocks! (but not everyone rocks at whiffleball)


We're so excited!


Hiking. Oh yeah.

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!

look mom...I'm on VTV!

The benefit gig the Van Ho Ba played at the Green mango was filmed by VTV in Ha Noi, Viet Nam and televised on the international section of their news broadcast. They interviewed a number of the band members including myself. I'm told VTV will be using my interview later on (and other band footage) for a feature on expat living. Please note the awesomely sexy instrument I'm playing at 1:23. That's a Euphonium, and along with trombone those are the best instruments ever invented in the history of mankind. Now chill, and enjoy a few photos after you've watched the video.


Mark is caught in a timeless pose, photography by Lien Deweer.
There was a large crowd (200+) at the Green Mango that night and over $3,000 USD were raised for Myanmar aid. Last three shots, photography by gablad.com

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:

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!