COMMUNITY ACTION: A bigger place for Shichigahama in Plymouth

Local resident Christine Bonfilio is proposing an idea to the town of Plymouth to raise awareness about our sister city relationship with Shichigahama, Japan. Currently, our town only maintains a display case in town hall dedicated to the gifts that Shichigahama has presented us over the years. Christine’s idea proposes a larger space, with more information available on Shichigahama, the history of our relationship, and Japanese culture in general.

Christine recently conducted a survey on public awareness of our 25 year sister city partnership. “Less than 10% of the people I asked knew about our relationship…It’s sad.”

Christine hosted an exchange student from Shichigahama in 2004. She visited Japan in 2005, and again in 2013. “I've been [to Japan] with my family since my host sister traveled here 11 years ago. It’s near and dear to my heart”

Shichigahama has embraced Plymouth on a community level. The coastal town in Miyagi prefecture has even built a replica of the original First Parish Church in Plymouth. The building holds information about Plymouth, and the history of our sister city relationship. It serves as part of their community center area and tourist destination.

Christine’s proposal is under review by the town. We should hopefully hear more news soon!

Pictured: Christine and her host sister Ayumi Ogino, in Shichigahama.

Event of the Month: Plymouth Let's Go Benefit Show!

Plymouth Let’s Go is happy to announce our first event! On May 2nd, 6 local bands are playing at 3065 Live in Wareham, MA to raise funds for Plymouth Let’s Go. The proceeds will be used for future programming, educational materials, and other fun stuff! The event will feature cosplay, which means attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite comic book, movie, video game, and pop culture characters. There will be a photobooth to take pictures, which will be shared online. The event will also be streamed live on the internet via YouTube, so that people from all over the world can view the action. Groups in Japan, Singapore, and other parts of the USA are already planning to tune in!

The bands who are playing range in styles from punk, metal, to surf-rock. They are all members of the local music scene, and have banded together to support the mission of Plymouth Let’s Go to share culture between Plymouth and Japan. You won’t want to miss this event! Come down on May 2nd at 6pm, or tune in live on Youtube! See you then.

Musical Guests: Interfectum, Deficiency, Full Body Shot, Black Beach, Rat Trap, EASTCOASTWIZARDS
Location: 3065 Live – 3065 Cranberry Highway, Wareham, MA
Date: May 2nd 2015 – Doors at 530pm – Music starts at 630pm.
Cost: $10
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmbUjCyykpk

SPOTLIGHT: Mars Records

As consumers, we have seen a decline in stores that stock physical media, from CD’s to DVD’s, and especially Vinyl LPs. The advent of online media and digital downloads have made it difficult for stores to stay alive in the world of free and fast media.
Early this month, a small record store appeared in downtown Plymouth. For years, Plymouth has had a lack of independent record stores, ever since the closing of Revolution Records nearly a decade ago.
Mars Records is owned and operated by Tim Downie, a record collector who has seen the rapid changes in media trends over the years. Tim originally worked for Revolution Records in Plymouth in the late 1990’s, and moved up to Boston in 2000 to work for Mars Records. During this time vinyl records were on the decline, with people getting rid of massive collections and switching to CD’s, and eventually, streaming music. Business became hard, as only diehard collectors were buying and selling records.
Nowadays, Vinyl is making a huge comeback. Tim says that CD’s are out, and that vinyl and streaming music are steadily becoming the backbone of the industry. The renewed interest in vinyl has led to artists and record labels to put out music in both high quality LP form, and including download cards as well.
The renewed interest is something that spans generations. Parents who grew up on vinyl are seeing their children rediscovering the classics, and are happy to share their generation’s music with their kids. “Young kids are coming in, many of them high school aged, and buying classic records with their parents.” Tim said.
The record boom is building family connections, and teaching younger generations to appreciate music in album form, rather than hastily streaming single songs. “Bands like Pink Floyd didn’t want people to just listen to ‘Money’ and call it a day. You have to listen to all of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ to understand the true meaning.”
Mars Records carries a wide variety of classic rock, but the store’s offerings go much deeper than that. Rare reggae, punk, indie and new wave records are all part of the selection. Being able to see the albums covers, feel it in your hand, and bringing it home to play it are all part of the experience of the album.
Tim also commented on the collector side of records. “Japanese imports are among the highest quality records you can get.” Some pristine copies of classic records imported to Japan and then brought back to America carry hefty price tags. “The sound quality is just superior to American releases, plain and simple.”

You can visit Mars Records at 58C Main St. Plymouth, MA.
You can also visit them on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/marsrecords1620/