Berryz Kobo makes America debut at Sakura-Con 2011

May 4, 2011 - The seven-member Hello! Project idol group Berryz Kobo made their American performance debut at Sakura-Con 2011 for an audience of 3500 fans. Fans traveled from all over the world including multiple parts of the USA, plus Canada, France, Mexico, and Japan to support the pop vocal group who is celebrating their 7th year together.

Berryz Kobo members kept busy during the April 22-24 weekend, appearing at the event's opening and closing ceremonies, participating in a live audience Q&A and two separate 60-minute sessions where they accepted gifts from fans and signed autographs for Sakura-Con attendees. At the HelloStoreUSA booth, Berryz Kobo signed a 6-foot banner and 7 hand-written messages in support of their USA CD release and American-based merchandise store. Group Captain Saki Shimuzu appeared at the booth on Sunday April 24 to announce the raffle winners and to personally inscribe the winner's name on the vinyl banner.

The highlight of the weekend for Berryz Kobo fans was Saturday night's hour-long live concert which featured songs spanning their entire career. Fans waited in line for hours before the concert and participated with the performers during the show with high-energy chants, shouts, and choreography.

Sakura-Con attendees contributed over $1887 to Japan Relief at the Berryz Kobo booth during the three-day event. In addition, Berryz Kobo members donated wristbands and autographed posters to Sakura-Con's annual charity fund-raising auction, raising an additional $850.

Set List:
Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu
Special Generation
Heroine ni Narou ka
Shining Power
-MC-
Piriri to Yukou
Happiness -Koufuku Kangei-
Tsukiatteru no Kataomoi
-MC-
Berry Fields
CLAP!
Maji Bomber!
Icchoume Rock!
Otakebi Boy WAO!
-MC-
Rival
(Encore) All For One and One For All


PROFILE
Berryz Kobo has performed over 100 concerts in Japan, including 2 sold-out concerts at the Saitama Super Arena. They have won music awards in Korea and Japan, and their singles have ranked in the Oricon Top 10 singles chart.

Berryz Kobo made their first USA performance at Sakura-Con 2011 on April 23, 2011. They also released their first USA CD "7 Berryz Times" that weekend with the JapanFiles label.

Berryz Kobo members are:
Saki Shimizu (Captain), Momoko Tsugunaga, Chinami Tokunaga, Maasa Sudo, Miyabi Natsuyaki, Yurina Kumai, Risako Sugaya



LINKS!
Berryz Kobo official website: http://www.helloproject.com/berryzkobo
Berryz Kobo on JapanFiles: http://www.JapanFiles.com/BerryzKobo



VIDEO!
Berryz Kobo official YouTube Channel:
http://www.YouTube.com/user/berryzchannel



ABOUT JAPANFILES:
Supporting Japanese artists since 2004, JapanFiles specializes in digital sales, merchandise, events, and media promotion for indie and major Japanese music artists. Music downloads at the JapanFiles Digital Music Store are DRM-free and only 99 cents each.

JapanFiles has sponsored Japanese artist appearances at Sakura-Con, Anime Boston, A-Kon, FanimeCon, Tekkoshocon, Anime Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Media Expo, Anime Vegas, Animex (Mexico), SXSW, Slim's (San Francisco), and Knitting Factory (New York City).

JapanFiles has produced over 20 USA CD releases for Japanese artists, including High and Mighty Color, exist†trace, girugamesh, Onmyo-za, LM.C, Morning Musume, Hangry & Angry, Berryz Kobo, ketchup mania, Swinging Popsicle, LiN CLOVER, Budo Grape, BESPA KUMAMERO, and three volumes of the “Fresh Cuts from Japan” compilation series.


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JapanFiles is a division of Japanese education website YesJapan.com.
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