Volume 04, Number 20
Partyline
It seems like I always have a lot (probably sometimes too much!) to say. Unfortunately I've really gotten behind in the column, so, as much as it hurts, will cut down on the copy, and try to get in more photos for this and perhaps a few more upcoming columns.
This column starts out at the beautiful home and garden of Netherlands Ambassador Alphons Clemens Maria Hamer and his wife Catherine, for a midday celebration of their Queen's Day. The weather was nice and guests in the receiving line enjoyed the greenery and flowers around the entrance to the residence. Once guests congratulated the hosting couple they moved into the garden to relax, chat with friends, and enjoy the bountiful buffet of Dutch and Indonesian food. This was my first time to meet the Hamers, a handsome personable couple with three great kids. I'm sure they'll be very popular here! All guests left with a beautiful plant that day. Mine's still growing.
Kudos to Moroccan Ambassador Abdelkader Lecheheb, his wife Lamia, the Casablanca Regional Council of Tourism, Air France and the Palace Hotel on the colorful, lively, interesting and exotic 'Casablanca Week in Tokyo'.
HIH Princess Takamado was special guest at the colorful gala night, which featured a Moroccan fashion show, Moroccan music, a gourmet buffet (the couscous was superb), a special Moroccan painting event, etc. Other events during the week included a tourism workshop “Discovering Casablanca” and a ladies' luncheon with Akie Abe as special guest. I've been to Casablanca a dozen times and if the opportunity came would go tomorrow to that wonderful city again. Long time Tokyoites probably remember Kathy Kriger who worked at the US Embassy. From Tokyo, Kathy went to Prague. Remember her taking me to an Irish restaurant there? After Prague she went to Casablanca, and was able to get investors in a 'Rick's Café' (Warner's Film Casablanca), which is very successful.
More Kudos—this time to Kudos, on their annual travel fair. As always it was busy with people like me who love to travel and are always looking for new places to go, new things to do, and new friends to make. The allday event offered all that and more. The Peruvian musical group and dance added color and culture.
It was a beautiful day which gave the many guests of Italian Ambassador Mario Bova and his wife Anna the opportunity to enjoy their spacious residence, and one of the city's most beautiful gardens. The occasion was to celebrate Italy's National Day and the many guests that day included government officials, diplomats, business leaders, familiar faces from the fashion, art and entertainment worlds, and of course, much of Tokyo's Italian community. It was a relaxing midday break sharing the warm Italian ambiance and super Italian food with the Bovas and their many friends.
It was an exciting evening at the Mandarin Hotel when the Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Datuk Seri Tenoku Adnan Bin Tengku Mansor, hosted a gala cuisine and culture evening at the beautiful hotel. Special guests included author / TV personality Anri Schroff who loves Malaysia (me too) and travels there often. Malaysia's program for retirees or people who want a more relaxed lifestyle ‘Malaysia, My Second Home', from all reports, is doing really well.
Our sincerest congratulations to Hilton Tokyo's General Manager Christian Baudet and staff on their chic sophisticated trendy relaxed new ‘Marble Lounge'. The smoke-free new space features the hotels renowned Hilton breakfast, the popular dessert buffet, special ice cream and a late afternoon chocolate and cheese buffet. Still another first—there's a luxurious à la carte menu to chose from 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For information or reservations call 03-3344-5111 extension 315 or visit the official website www.hilton.co.uk/tokyo.
There are a lot of fun happenings at the New Lex. One night a team of writers and cameramen, from one of England's top magazines FHM, spent a few hours at the popular play spot for a story in their Feb. 08 issue. I sent them to the New Lex's sister club Kaguwa, and they loved the colorful show, calling it crazy, original and really fun. After the wet F1 race Sunday Sep. 30, most of the drivers, their crews, and many of the sponsors joined us at the New Lex where they partied until early morning.
Wag Inc.'s Martin Webb brought the late and great Gianni Versace's neice Francesca to the club to do a photo shoot for Perrone beer. Beautiful, super nice Francesca was in Tokyo to show her latest collection at the Italian culture center. Due to Swiss tennis player Federers pulling out of the AIG Japan Tennis Open, winery productions had to cancel a ‘Tennis Channel' shoot at the club. Of course—sorry about that but many of the players from the tournament did stop by while they were in town. On Oct 2, twenty of the world's top skate boarders partied—and they do know how to party— at the club.
Climb Theater of Minnesota USA is bringing its acclaimed bullying prevention programming to three international schools in Tokyo. Oct 22–Nov 9. Two professional actors will be teaming with individual classrooms to provide interactive drama classes. The Climb team drama classes will be visiting the American School in Japan, Tokyo International School and Nishimachi International School. Now in their 32nd year of production, this is Climb's first international tour. For more information on a Climb visit see www.climb.com. My thanks to the Hideko Crane's (Yomiuri) daughter Erika for information on this much-needed project.
Just Talk
I just got a DVD of this year's Eurovision Song Contest. I think the transvestite band ‘The Babuska Queens' from Serbia should have won.
A late, but very sincere, congratulations to Dino and Koko Volpicellis' son Alessandro, on his summer marriage to Mina Chiba. In addition to a big party at the Grand Hyatt there was another at XEX Salvatore Italian restaurant in Daikanyama.
I was sorry to hear that Metropolis won't be doing their big Halloween blast this year. That was always fun, but the venue Velfare closed earlier this year. There will be a fun Halloween party at the New Lex Saturday, Oct 27 and the costume contest at the National Azabu Supermarket Sun 28th—and other happenings all over the town as well.
In closing, I'd like to congratulate Yasuo Fukuda on his being elected Prime Minister. I've had the privilege of knowing this highly qualified and professional politician and his family for many years. One of my prize possessions is an autographed photo with his father the late great Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda.