Volume 04, Number 16
Partyline
It's hard to believe I'm already writing my column for our August 17th issue. Obon Holidays meant accelerated deadlines and actually knocking this out the last few days in July. Most of us don't need reminding of how fast time goes, but still wondering what happened to summer. Fall, one of my favorite seasons is coming up soon. Actually on September 23, yet another national holiday—as is September 17, Respect for the Aged Day. Lots of three-day weekends next month.
Just turned down an invitation to Budapest. And, as much as I like to travel—that hurt. Love that city on the Danube, but reading about the heatwave there the last few days, figure it's better to wait until late September or early October when I'm already scheduled to visit Vienna, Berlin, and Tunisia. September, as those who have lived here a while know, can be very hot in Tokyo—but with changing world weather patterns who knows?
Speaking of changes—the new Mexican restaurant across from the Hiroo Segafredo "Isalsita", is a branch of the popular and highly acclaimed one in Ebisu. They are already open and I plan on being one of their first customers. More on this later.
Friends have been asking what happened to the JIN (Japan Information Network) in the front windows of TGIFriday's (Thank God it's Friday) on Roppongi's main drag. It was promoted as a 24-hour many-language news, entertainment, cultural, etc. broadcasting station. Unfortunately, it never lived up to anyone's expectations. The boss-man there got scammed by several people who really didn't know what they were doing and it wasn't long before the money he had for the project was long gone. I was asked to help and introduced ACTV's Dan Smith, a real professional in TV, production, broadcasting, etc. I'm sorry to say, it was too late, and back to one of Queen's hits again, "another one bites the dust".
The former offices of A-Project, the previous owner of Lexington Queen, across from the Roppongi Hills sidewalk Starbucks have put on a new and happier face. Avex promotions have built an 800-seat theater there and will bring in the famous Blueman Group show from Las Vegas for a long run, which starts December 1. I saw the original and very entertaining show in Vegas— don't miss it.
It was a beautiful day in every way when British Ambassador Graham Holbrook and Lady (Toyoko) Fry hosted their spectacular garden party on the occasion of the birthday of their beloved, highly-respected majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Toyoko, as always with the help of her staff, had made sure the residence was royally decorated. There were elaborate flower arrangements, beautiful British china, and impressive paintings everywhere. She chose royal blue fashion that day, and as always, was super chic. Once the many guests congratulated the hosting couple in the main reception room most moved out into the garden. Booths serving drinks, sausages, cheeses, fish and chips, and other English specialties kept busy. As did a booth serving ethnic food. The tandori was excellent. For a real treat guests sat at one of the many tables in a large tent and enjoyed tea, scones, pastries, and ice cream.
I enjoyed talking with Yasuko Konoe who told me her father HIH Prince Mikasa who's 94 really enjoyed Clint Eastwood's film Letters from Iwo Jima. It was also nice seeing top actor Hiroyuki Sanada. He's done stage performances of some of Shakespeare's plays in English in the UK, and has done several international movies since his great performance in The Last Samurai. These include the films Sunshine and Rush Hour 3.
Entertainment at the reception included a lively perfomance of the embassy's taiko (Japanese drum) group. They are good. It turned out to be a great day in every way—perfect for the occasion.
The Asia-Pacific Ladies' Friendship Festival and Charity Bazaar was as colorful, exciting, and successful as ever. Twenty-four countries participated. Yura Alaiti Adnan, wife of the Brunei Ambassador was chairwoman this year, and as always, HIH Princess Hitachi was there to cut the ribbon, visit each country's booth, and do a bit of shopping. Kudos to all concerned. Proceeds go to worthwhile causes in the participating countries.
Members of the media really enjoyed the lunch hosted by the Peninsula Tokyo's General Manager Malcolm Thompson at the trendy Element restaurant behind Nobu's in Minato-ku. The luncheon was to introduce the hotel's executive staff and answer questions about the prestigious new hotel, which opens September 1. The 314-room hotel is located on the corner of Hibiya Dori and Harumi Dori—the southeast corner of The Imperial Palace. The 24-floor hotel is directly accessible from the street (look for the two big stone lions) and "is not part of a complex or mall." Malcom's impressive career includes being General Manager of the Park Hyatt Tokyo for over five years and two-and-ahalf years at the Park Hyatt Los Angeles. I have another longtime friend at the new hotel as well. Mark Kobayashi, a man who really knows his business is now Director of Public relations at the Peninsula. I'm sure it's all going to be very special.
I really hate missing out on events, and believe me I do appreciate your thoughtfulness and invitations. Travel, conflicting schedules, work, and more recently— no parking are the main reasons I can't get to all I'd like to.
Unfortunately have not been able to get to any of Polish Ambassador Marcin Rybicki and his wife Adrianna's many events to celebrate Poland's 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan. These included what I heard was a marvelous concert by Polish violinist Prof. Konstanty Andrezej Kulka and Japanese pianist Maki Hirasawa, and a photo exhibit titled Enchanted by Poland by former Japanese ambassador to Poland Masaaki Ono. There was also a "working meeting" hosted by Joanna Dopierala at the Polish Embassy to launch new channels of the information flow between the Embassy and media in Japan.
On the art scene, couldn't get to the opening reception of Indiart 2007 at the Ueno Royal Museum. The largest-ever contemporary Indian art exhibit was organized by S.K. Modi, hairperson, International Institute of Fine Arts, and Masami Yamada, chairperson, India-Japan Art Institute. Masami is an artist who I first met at the MT Hagen Festival (what an experience) in Papua New Guinea. In addition to missing the Indian art I missed a performance by Hozan Yamamoto, the bamboo flute player who is a living National Treasure of Japan. Sorry I couldn't get to the Fuji Film Photo Salon in Tokyo Midtown for a photo exhibit titled Amazonia— 24 Hours in Peruvian Amazon by photographer Jorge Camito Valenzuela.
Dear friends Mexican Ambassador Miquel Ruiz- Cabanas and his super wife Martha are keeping busy. On June 13 they hosted a reception at their home in honor of the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico and Senora Jorge Zermeno and members of the Mexican congress.
Also had to miss, but would like to extend a sincere congratulations to several friends at the National Day celebrations they hosted recently. These included Portugese Ambassador Pedro Zanatti and his wife Madalena, Egyptian Ambassador Hisham Badr and his wife Dalhia, French Ambassador Gildas Le Lidec and his wife at L'occasion de la Fete Nationale July 14th, and Peruvian Ambassador Hugo Palma and his wife on their country's national day July 27th.
Luxembourg Ambassador Michele Pranchere-Tomassini hosted a reception to celebrate her country's national day on June 23. At the same time, she and her family bid sayonara and are settling in Belgium where Michele has been posted. The Badrs also combined their national day reception July 23 with their sayonara and are back in Cairo now. These were all very popular people on the diplomatic scene here. Needless to say, they'll really be missed.
Travel Talk
When I read the list of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, I realized how very lucky I've been. I've spent time at six of them—The Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, Brazil's Statue of Christ in Rio, Mexico's Maya Ruins at Chichen Itza, Rome's Coliseum, and The Taj Mahal in India. I still have to get to Peru's Mayan ruins in the mountains—Machu Picchu. Friends who have been there say its an awesome spiritual experience, hope to get there soon.
India continues to make business and tourism news now for the first time. An Indian Hotel—the Oberoi Udavillas in Udaipur has won the Travel+Leisure Magazine award for being the best hotel in the world. I've stayed in the beautiful Rambagh Palace Hotel in Jaipur and with its huge swimming pool, palatial buildings, and peacocks and monkeys everywhere was very special as well.
Just Talk
Remember the song Hey Big Spender from the musical Sweet Charity? Well that certainly didn't apply to the American woman who left US$17,000 in a pedicab in Bohol in the Philippines. The honest—and I do mean honest—driver, who's “wife had just gone to the hospital and rent was overdue” turned the money over to the local police who then turned it over to the woman. Can't believe Miss (or Mrs.) Generosity then gave the driver a 1,500 peso reward. That's about $32. Some people have no shame, and one wonders where she got the $17,000 in the first place.
Super Stuff to Do
Don't miss a performance of the award-winning musical Blast. Kyodo Tokyo brought the U.S. cast for a month of colorful, lively exciting show. They're playing at Shinjuku Kosei Nenkin Kaikan through Sep. 9.
Hope you can get down to Yokohama for one—or better yet all—of the three days of day activities for Dancing 4 Aids Orphans. The Aug. 20 to 22 events include an open house, workshop, and performances by top international ballet dancers. For info, visit www.dancing4aidsorphans.org.