Volume 39, Number 06
Partyline
I’m starting out this column on February 29 on the outdoor terrace at Hiroo Segafredo. It’s a beautiful day and really nice not as cold and windy as it has been. That new black, white, and red building across the street that took the place of the Nathan’s hotdog shop is called Comrade and will serve Chinese and Italian cuisine. My Italian friends, some of the top chefs in Japan, are looking forward to seeing what’s on Comrade’s menu. Me too.
There are lots of changes coming up in Roppongi Hills soon. Ethnic Dining president Vivek Kothari who runs what most consider to be the top class Indian restaurant in Tokyo, Diya, (B1 floor in the huge complex) tells me about sixty of the shops and restaurants there will be changing. Our city always has something to look forward to.
I, like most people I know have really been looking forward to spring, with it’s warm weather and full calendar of cultural, musical and sports events. Sakura (cherry blossom) time is almost here and that’s always very special. If you’d like to celebrate with a beautiful international crowd, drop by the New Lex on Saturday, March 29 for the Sakura Party.
Our good friends at Min-on Concert Associate just never slow down and the number of international cultural events they bring to Japan is absolutely amazing. To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and China, they brought the truly amazing and awesome China National Acrobatic Troupe. The 51-member contingent performed their show ‘Legends of the Dragon and the Phoenix’ in 12 cities throughout Japan. Wherever they went there was thunderous applause after each act and standing ovations at the remarkable sense of balance, flexibility, timing and perfect teamwork. It was easy to see how the troupe has won 40 first place awards all over the world.
After the show we had the opportunity to meet and mix with the dynamic young performers at a reception. It’s no secret about the strict discipline and rigid training that’s a dominating factor in their lives, but even so, they’re outgoing, laugh a lot, and seem to enjoy using the little English they know. Each and every member gives so much of themselves both on and off stage. They, and China, have a great deal to be proud of. Kudos to all concerned for a show you must see, if you have the opportunity.
I almost didn’t go to the concert by the Indian fusion band ‘Ocean,’ but sure am glad I did. The blend of Indian folk and classical music, jazz, rock and reggae, as well as the people there, made it a truly laid-back enjoyable and very special evening. This was one of the many events in the India-Japan Friendship Year 2007 Festival of India.
The grand finale of the festival was on December 10 when Indian Ambassador Hement Krishan Singh hosted the closing ceremony—a reception and cultural program of Kathak and Rajasthan dances choreographed by Ms. Kumudini Lakhia. It was a great year-long celebration of Indian culture. Congratulations to all concerned.
As I mentioned, another of the diplomatic corps most popular couples have left Japan. Pakistan Ambassador, Kamran Niaz and his beautiful wife Nuzhat, returned home on March 4. Prior to their departure there were all kinds of sayonaras in their honor. I was really sorry I had to miss Turkish Ambassador Sermet Atacani’s dinner for the outgoing couple in his tange-designed home, to say goodbye (and thanks) to Kamran and Nuzhat.
I’m sorry I wasn’t in Tokyo for any of the French Ambassador Gildas and Christiane Le Lidel’s sayonara parties. They were in Japan from January 2006 and are now posted in Madagascar. In a nice note I received from them they mentioned that construction will start on a new French chancery here this year. As I so often say, here in Tokyo, the beat goes on.
There is a lot of movement on the hotel scene as well. As most of you know, Xavier Destribats, legendary General Manager of the Grand Hyatt recently became vice-presidents of Panorama Hospitality which is owned by Morgan Stanley, and has 28 hotels throughout Japan.
On January 17, the Grand Hyatt held a VIP. packed reception to introduce their new General Manager, Roger Lienhard, and to express their gratitude for the many guests’ loyal patronage over the years.
Roger is a well-known figure in the hospitality industry and brings a wealth of experience and keen understanding to his new appointment. He started his career with Hyatt International in 1998 as Executive Chief of Hyatt Regency, Perth. Later he moved to Grand Hyatt, Melbourne. In 2001 he assumed his first General Manager posting at Aryaduta Jakarta Hotel. From 2005 to 2008, he was General Manager at the Hyatt Regency, Delhi. There’s not enough space to cover all the highlights of his career, but believe me, he’s worked with the best.
Guests at the reception included diplomats, business leaders, airlines VIPS, and the cream of Tokyo society. With Roger’s professional skills and outgoing personality, he circulated among the crowd, and made friends with everyone there. It was a beautiful evening perfect for the occasion.
Shortly after Andreas Trauttmansdorff took over as the General Manager of The Westin Tokyo, the hotel held their awesome Austrian Festival. Andreas is from Austria and he and his staff went all out to make it the best festival yet. I had dinner there with the Ireton family and visiting celebrity psychic Ron Bard, and we all agreed the buffet was superb.
Back to the hotel scene, honorable Sir Michael Kadoorie, the chairman of Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotel Ltd. and the board of directors, flew in to join the prestigious Peninsula Hotel Tokyo’s General Manager Malcolm Thompson and his staff, for the Grand Opening Gala of the hotel. I heard 2000 people were invited that evening and from the looks of the crowd, that was probably true.
I started out the evening with friends in the Hei Fung Terrace Chinese restaurant where we tried the peking duck. From there we moved up to the Grand Ballroom for the buffet, which featured an endless supply of first class caviar. I then dropped by the luxurious spa for a poolside pop violin concert, and then up to Peter’s trendy restaurant where the 16-year-old superstar Taichi Saotome was performing his geisha number.
When I went back to the lobby I relaxed with Francoise Morechand and Mitsuo and Lilo Maruyama listening to the latin beat of a big band, The Tokyo Cuban Boys. They’re hot. Or at least their music is.
I had tried the Peninsula hand-made chocolates on early visits there and needed some energy so ripped open my omiyage box as soon as I got in a taxi. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed when I discovered my box of chocolates was a book. But I soon got over that as I leafed through a really well done book on the building of the Peninsula Tokyo. The chocolates would be long gone, but the book brings back great memories of the Gala Opening of the Peninsula Tokyo.
Bahrain Ambassador Dr. Khalil Hassan and his wife Dr. Salwa Almahroos hosted a beautiful reception at the Imperial on the occasion of their country’s national day. Khalil, a pediatric surgeon, was Bahrain’s Minister of Health. Salwa is a specialist in diabetes. I’ve gotten to know them throughout their help with my orphans’ parties. They are truly a kind and compassionate couple—the kind of people everyone should have the good fortune of knowing. It was a relaxed, warm and enjoyable evening. In addition to the many beautiful floral, tributes, there was an illuminated ice carving of Bahrains national emblem and a lavish buffet of Arabic, Japanese and Western foods. Traditional music was provided by two young ladies who had been flown in from Bahrain for the sincerest of congratulations to Khalil, Salwa, and the people of Bahrain.
Pop star Hilary Duff was just in town to do a series of commercials for Softbank’s new Disney Mobiles line. A few weeks earlier I had met U.S. product endorsement licensor Vahan J. Vartanian at an after-concert party I did for the Backstreet Boys at the New Lex. He told me he’d be in Tokyo in a few weeks with the actress, pop singer, songwriter and entrepreneur, and would bring her to the club. Vahan kept his word and it was great meeting and getting to know this much-awarded, fun, outgoing and very talented young lady. In addition to films, TV, stage and music, the Houston-born celeb has her own fashion, jewelry and a perfume line; ‘With love...Hilary Duff.’
Hilary is involved in a great deal of charity work, and we talked about that. The only thing we disagreed on was Paris Hilton. I like her, but Hilary doesn’t. Oh well, that’s life. Whatever, I really enjoyed meeting this great girl.
I’m also happy I had the opportunity of working with and getting to know another great girl, former Weekender editor, Helen Bottomley. Helen, from the UK, the epitome of all things good, is intelligent, kind, caring, and fun and was always there when I needed her.
I’m happy she met a guy (an architect) who she really likes, and who really likes her. They’re in England now, and I pray it all works out. Believe me, Helen deserves all the good things that come her way. Her many friends here, like me, will really miss her.