Contributor (Shareminded)
Robert Atendido is a 6-foot-2 Asian guy who was born and raised in the Twin Cities. He grew up watching Doctor Who, Star Trek, Star Wars, and whatever cartoons were on in the mornings.
After spending several years teaching music in St. Paul, his life took an abrupt turn when he was granted a position through the Japan Exchange Teaching Program. He served as an assistant language teacher in Kagoshima Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu, where he found himself absorbing large amounts of Japanese pop culture just to understand what his students were talking about.
After Robert returned to Minnesota (and relearned how to drive on the right side of the road), he started working for the state of Minnesota. When not at his desk, Robert spends his free time singing (with VocalEssence), participating in historical reenactments, volunteering at the occasional convention, swing dancing, working on his backlog of books, and reminiscing about Japan.
Contact
robert@twincitiesgeek.com
Articles by Robert
- “Sing Democracy 250” Is a Choral Reflection on the United States’ Milestone Birthday Apr 11, 2026
- Celebrate Black History Month with VocalEssence at the University of Minnesota Feb 19, 2026
- Exploding Star Orchestra Is Bringing Cosmic Jazz to Minneapolis’s Walker Art Center on December 5 Nov 22, 2025
- After More Than 50 Years, the Rubik’s Cube Still Has Plenty of Fans Oct 24, 2025
- Katsura Sunshine Is Bringing Japanese “Sit-Down” Comedy to Minneapolis on October 7 Oct 3, 2025
- In “Secret Warriors,” the History Theatre Sheds Light on a Hidden Part of World War II History Apr 3, 2025
- Local Performers Will Present Songs and Stories of the Civil Rights Movement on February 23 Feb 17, 2025
- On February 9, Pit Your Japan Knowledge Against Other Minnesotans in an Online Quiz Jan 20, 2025
- Candlelight Concerts Offer a Unique Way to Experience Your Favorite Music Dec 7, 2024
- Minnesota’s VocalEssence Is Performing “Kristina,” the Swedish Immigrant Story by ABBA Songwriters Oct 4, 2024
- The Modern Remake of the Classic Anime “Ranma ½” Is Coming to Netflix in October Sep 5, 2024
- Catch a Free Floating Jazz Concert on July 27 in Downtown St. Paul Jul 25, 2024
- Dungeons & Dragons Stamps Are Coming to the US Postal Service on August 1 Jul 10, 2024
- Camp Snoopy, a New Peanuts Animated Series, Is Now Streaming on Apple TV+ Jun 15, 2024
- Minneapolis Game Store All Systems Go Sets the Board for a New Phase Jun 9, 2024
- Listen to Radio Stations from All around the World with Radio Garden Jun 2, 2024
- On May 3, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Returns to Theaters for Its 25th Anniversary Apr 25, 2024
- On March 21, Learn How to Wrap Things the Traditional Japanese Way with Furoshiki Mar 4, 2024
- Shōgun Brings Lively Pacing and Cultural Accuracy to a Classic Story Feb 26, 2024
- The Stage Adaptation of Spirited Away Brings a Studio Ghibli Classic to Live Action Feb 3, 2024
- Test Your Knowledge of Japan with JASM’s J-Quiz on February 11 Jan 22, 2024
- A Very Die Hard Christmas Reaches Its Milestone 100th Performance at the Bryant-Lake Bowl Dec 20, 2023
- Ahead of the Newest Ghibli Film, See Five Miyazaki Classics at Minneapolis’s Main Cinema Nov 22, 2023
- VocalEssence Opens Its 55th Season, Together We Sing Oct 1, 2023
- Celebrate the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park on August 20 Aug 11, 2023
- Experience Japanese Culture with a Summer Festival Dance at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Jul 1, 2023
- Learn about World War II at the Stearns History Museum’s Living History Weekend Jun 26, 2023
- Dance the Night Away 1940s Style at the Commemorative Air Force Spring Swing Big Band Hangar Dance Jun 3, 2023
- Japanese Singer-Songwriter LMYK Got Her Professional Start with a Minnesota Connection May 6, 2023
- An Introduction to the World of Custom Lightsabers May 4, 2023
- Gaelynn Lea and the Society for American Music Are Coming to the Hook and Ladder Theater Mar 7, 2023
- Learn about the Art of Bookbinding with the Japan America Society of Minnesota Mar 2, 2023
- An Island off the Coast of Hokkaidō, Populated Only by Horses, Is Documented in a New English Website Jan 21, 2023
- Welcome the New Year and Learn Japanese Flower Arranging with the Japan America Society of Minnesota Jan 13, 2023
- VocalEssence, a Minnesota Choral Institution, Returns for Its 54th Season Oct 13, 2022
- There’s a New Sonic the Hedgehog Tribute Album from Dreams Come True and Other Japanese Artists Sep 12, 2022
- King Amusement Creative’s 24/7 Streaming Channel Is Your Source for Nonstop Anime Music Aug 8, 2022