Volume 04, Number 17
Partyline
Things slowed down a bit in August, but not really all that much. The heat was on, and those who could, headed out for cooler, more laid-back places.
Tokyo, as always, was quieter during obon, and most of my Italian friends were in Italy for their sort of traditional month off. If things went as planned, I flew to the Philippines for a few days of exploring and doing shopping in the many huge and beautiful air-conditioned malls there, the cool and relaxing Sanctuario spa in Ermita Manila and hopefully a few days on the beautiful island of Boracay.
The best thing for me here in Tokyo in August was having that super group the case of the popular Broadway musical Blast, in town for a month. This is the fifth year Kyodo Tokyo has brought the unbelievably popular show here. If you saw the Japanese audience's faces and enthusiasm throughout the performance you'd know what I mean.
I've gotten to know most of the performers over the years and I tell you they, like US Ambassador Thomas J. Schieffer and his wife Susanne, really make me proud to be an American.
The cast of Blast is a marvelous mix of ethnic and religious backgrounds, fun, strong, energetic, personable, and so talented. In addition to singing and dancing most play several (some play a half dozen or more) instruments—and really play them well. Blast is a musical blast that crosses all borders and really shows people around the world how great most young Americans are. We need more of that.
I don't consider myself a gourmet, but thanks to so many good friends out there I am able to enjoy fantastic food from all over the world. I don't cook and when I go out on my own keep it pretty simple. Not much into fast food, but like to share my discoveries with others and feel the Subway shops make the freshest, tastiest, and healthiest reasonable sandwiches in town. My favorite shop is the one next to Bagel & Bagel near Nogizaka on Roppongi's main drag (left side heading towards Aoyama Dori). Unlike the one next to Roppongi Roi Building they have an oven and will toast the sandwich for you, and there's a big variety to chose from. My favorites are shrimp-seafood, roast chicken and cream cheese, tuna, and Cajun chicken. Love the honey-oat bread, red wine vinegar dressing, and all the fresh veggies that make them the healthy food they are. Subway also has a new vinegar drink that's red, cool, and refreshing. Many of my German friends have a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water every morning and swear it is really good for your health.
With a bit on showbiz, food, travel out of the way, let's move on to our city's always happening social scene.
Ikebana International Tokyo founding chapter's International Fair 2006–2007 was a huge success in every way. HIH Princess Takamado joined the fair chairperson Boontipa Simaskul, wife of the Thai Ambassador and I.I.'s then President—now Fair Coordinator, Miriam Arai for the opening ceremony.
The always popular, colorful charity event took place in the Ho-o-no-ma and Magnolia Halls at the Tokyo Prince Hotel. The theme was “Friendship Through Flowers”. In addition to the magnificent Ikebana exhibition by Iemotos (headmasters) there was an International Bazaar and bake sale by Ambassador's wives, handicraft sales, raffle prizes, and a variety of shops. Entertainment was provided by a top group of Thai musicians and dancers flown in by Thai Airways. It was, as I knew it would be, a very special day in every way. Proceeds went to UNICEF and the Cardiac Children's Foundation of Thailand.
Kudos to the international participants and the people they worked with at the Okura's eighth Annual World Garden Fair. It was truly spectacular. The variety, size, and beauty of the ten gardens of the world setup in the hotel's Heian Room really had to be seen to be believed and appreciated. The big event takes a lot of meetings between the participating Ambassadors wives and the Japanese, and when you see it you know all the time and effort they put into the project really paid off. The Okura event really is very special and very original and I strongly recommend you make an effort to get to at least one of the exhibitions while you're in Japan. Feel I can safely say you'll really enjoy it all. Once again HIH Princess Takamado who contributes her time to and graces so many worthwhile events with her presence cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. She really is an exceptional lady.
The colorful and festive mood of the ninth Annual Arab Charity Bazaar at the Egyptian Embassy as always made it one of the most exciting events of its kind this year, with all the great food, the shopping opportunities, the traditional bazaar haggling over prices, and the warmth and hospitality of the people there, I had a few flashbacks to the same type of atmosphere in Cairo's fantastic Khan Khalili Bazaar.
There was, as you can see by the photos, a chic and colorful collection of fine Arab fashion. Most of the Arab countries diplomat's children were there helping, and those smart internationally-minded kids are not only interesting, they're fun to be around. I really enjoyed talking to Oman Ambassador and Mrs. Al-Zarafi's beautiful daughter Muntaha. She graduated from the University of Queensland in Australia and was looking forward to her marriage, which took place in Muscat, Omar on June 30. Her husband, Ahmed Al-Balushi is in banking and she's working in the Ministry for Higher Education.
Our congratulations to the newly-weds, now living in Oman, and to the many who put so much time and effort into making the bazaar the tremendous success it was.
The New Lex—Edo where the 28-year-old Lexington Queen was, is really packing them in, and I'm really enjoying making new friends, as well as meeting a lot of nice and interesting people for the first time. During the Summer Sonic music festival, the bar-restaurant was full of friends from many bands including Gwen Stefani, Sum 41, Pet Shop Boys, Goo Goo Dolls, Black Eyed Peas, Fall Out Boys, Motorhead etc.
Another night, long-time friend Howie D (Backstreet Boys) dropped by. He was in town to perform with the popular Japanese group Gospellers and to help produce a record for Canadian-Japanese singer George Nozuka. AVEX will release the record soon.
There was also a huge party—close to 200 people— to help former St. Mary's student Mark Streigl celebrate his birthday. People there, for the most part were graduates from the international schools who go to universities all over the world and were back in Japan for the summer holidays. Mark's studying at the University of San Diego and has high hopes of becoming a pro-wrestler. He works out regularly, really keeps in shape, and has already won all kinds of awards in wrestling. The New Lex has the staff and facilities to help you make your next party a memorable event. For details call me at 090-3200-6767 or the club's manager Takahiro Masuda at 03-3479-7477.
Another great thing for me in August was having all five of Warner Bros. Bill and Charo Ireton's kids here for the month. I've had the privilege of seeing them grow up and that's really been something special. Matthew, who's a student at George Washington University in Washington, DC, spent much of his summer holidays as an intern in Sacramento with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He's a political science major and music minor. A run down on his great concert here later.
Roberta will begin her second year in the honors program at Central Saint Martins in London, majoring in visual design. She is also taking acting lessons. William starts his freshman year at Occidental College in Los Angeles, where he will be playing on the baseball squad.
Thomas, who's also into acting and music is a sophomore at St. Mary's, and Edward, who attends a Japanese elementary school, excels in all kinds of sports.