Pacific Beach Natsu Matsuri - 7/23/2010

I drove by and saw this happening at the Pacific Beach Hotel parking lot and I found out it's the Natsu Matsuri or Summer Festival. On Friday, I brought a wide angle lens and flash. I couldn't get the photos sharp because of the darkness and the flash was kinda too harsh (ARGH!!). However I was able to get some wide shots. I decided to bo back on Saturday and used the 50mm F1.4 lens. The shots were a lot better, especially with use of the available light. My first shots seemed dark and a bit grainy. I caught the performance by Bruce Shimabukuro who also plays the ukulele, like Jake Shimabukuro (not sure if they're related).
There was Taiko performance and bon dance from 7:30pm til it ends at 9pm.
In the hotel lobby, they were selling masks and toys for the kids.
There were also small game booths outside.
They urged everyone to participate in the bon dance saying "very easy, same move, over and over again...great for exercise."
A Taiko group performed both Friday and Saturday night.
A group of bon dancers also joined in the dance.
On Saturday, the 50mm lens really brightened things a lot. It didn't even seem dark at all. I recognized Dazz at several bon dances. He helped MC on Saturday's performances and dance.
I was able to get more sharper image being able to shoot at higher speed. It really made a big difference.
I shot mostly w/ available light w/o using a flash.
I even tried it in this dark lantern lit area. There were all kinds of authentic Japanese food. They made fresh Takoyaki.
They also had Okonomiyaki. It got darker so I had to use a flash.
There were grilled corn and squid.
It smelled really good.
There were also Yakitori.
The dance ended at 9pm with a final performance. The festival runs every Friday and Saturday night thru August 28.