Bunkagame — August 24, 2026

Question 1

This Irish alternative rock band, famous for the dense, distorted guitar sound they helped pioneer on their 1991 album 'Loveless', played San Francisco during a 2008 North American tour. In April 2025 they announced a show at Zepp Namba in Osaka. Which band connects the two cities?

Accepted Answer

My Bloody Valentine, formed in Dublin in 1983, is credited with pioneering the shoegaze genre. After a long hiatus following 'Loveless', they reunited in 2007 and released a third studio album, 'm b v', in 2013.

Question 2

Founded in New Orleans in 1965, this upscale steakhouse chain now has over 100 locations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is owned by Darden Restaurants and is based in Winter Park, Florida. Which restaurant chain connects them?

Accepted Answer

Ruth's Chris Steak House was founded by Ruth Fertel in 1965. She reportedly named it after a restaurant she bought called Chris Steak House and kept both names to preserve the goodwill.

Question 3

In modern Cuba, this festival is celebrated from July 18 to 27 in Havana, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba, in honor of the Revolution. Its final parade takes place on July 26. Which annual celebration, tied to the Cuban Revolution's anniversary, connects these cities?

Accepted Answer

The Carnival of Santiago de Cuba is Cuba's most famous carnival, combining African-derived rhythms like conga santiaguera with vibrant parades. Its July timing was chosen to align with the traditional feast of Saint James and the anniversary of the July 26 attack on the Moncada Barracks in 1953.

Question 4

This American string quartet, based in Columbus, Ohio, was established in 2005 and has performed the Snake River Music Festival in Colorado each summer. In early 2009 they also toured Colorado before reuniting with accordionist Peter Soave for concerts in Michigan and Ohio. Which quartet connects the two states?

Accepted Answer

The Carpe Diem String Quartet blends classical repertoire with world music, jazz, and folk. Based in Columbus, Ohio since 2005, the group has toured internationally and runs education programs like Musicare and Music Goes to School.

Question 5

The Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Jowell & Randy have toured across the Americas, performing in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the United States and Venezuela. On a later set of tour dates, they also performed in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and which large North American country?

Accepted Answer

Mexico is a major market for reggaeton, and Jowell & Randy have performed there on both tour cycles. The duo is best known for their collaboration with Bad Bunny on the 2020 hit 'Safaera'.

Question 6

The city of Kochi hosts the original Matsuri version of this energetic Japanese dance festival, featuring teams from around Japan and international groups from France and Vietnam. Sasebo, in Nagasaki, hosts the largest edition of the same festival on Kyushu each October. Which dance festival connects them?

Accepted Answer

Yosakoi originated in Kochi in 1954 as a way to lift local spirits after World War II. The dance blends traditional Japanese moves with modern music and choreography, and dancers hold small wooden clappers called naruko.

Question 7

AV Alta FC of Lancaster, California, was announced as an expansion team in this American soccer division on October 4, 2023. South Georgia Tormenta FC, based in Statesboro, also fields a professional team in the same league, which is the third tier of the US soccer pyramid. Which league is it?

Accepted Answer

USL League One is the third tier of professional American soccer, below Major League Soccer and the USL Championship. USL League Two (the closest distractor) is a lower amateur/pre-professional league.

Question 8

London's Wembley Stadium is the traditional home of the NFL International Series, hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars' regular home game each year as part of the league's push to play regular-season football abroad. The 49ers, based in which American city near Silicon Valley, are one of the teams that has hosted a game overseas as part of the series?

Accepted Answer

The San Francisco 49ers are among the NFL teams that have played abroad as part of the International Series. The league has expanded games to Germany, Mexico, and, as of 2024, Brazil, on top of its long-running London games.

Question 9

This Chinese kickboxing promotion, produced by Henan TV, has run international events including a 'Czech Republic VS China' show in Prague in April 2018 and a 'China VS USA' show at the Hershey Centre in Toronto in May 2017. Which martial arts league connects the two cities?

Accepted Answer

Wu Lin Feng, roughly translating to 'wind of martial arts', is one of China's premier kickboxing and Sanda promotions. Founded in 2004, it broadcasts weekly on Henan TV and has attracted top international fighters.

Question 10

In post-war Belgium, the Christian People's Party championed this political ideology alongside similar Christian-democratic parties elsewhere in western Europe, and today Poland's dominant Law and Justice (PiS) party represents the same broad tradition. Which political ideology is being described?

Accepted Answer

Conservatism is one of the three major political ideologies alongside liberalism and socialism. It emphasises tradition, established institutions and organic social order, and remains the dominant governing ideology in nations from Hungary and Italy to Japan and India.