Bill Hersey’s Partyline July 2014

Thanks to the busy promoters at Kyodo Tokyo, whose artists include the Rolling Stones and Paul McCarthy, I met the rising star actor/singer/artist, Matte Kamaras from Hungary. I was happy to introduce Matte’s manager, Kyodo’s Shoko Inagaki.

Film buffs should be happy with the summer lineup. Thanks to film biz friends I went to a couple of very exciting premieres. The first was 20th Century Fox’s excellent X-Men: Days of Future Past. 

Lots of great special effects, and Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry have to have two of the best in showbiz. The second was Warner Brothers’ local production Rorouni Kenshin, the second in a series they’re doing. As part of the promotion, all the stars made appearances in Roppongi Hills Arena, and later on stage at the theater venue.

The fans loved it all. The cast is great, and the cinematography—which was shot all over Japan—was gorgeous, and the samurai fight scenes were dynamic. Looks like WB is going to have another local production box office hit.

PARTIES

Europe Day Gala Reception

The Europe Day reception celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement and 40 years of EU diplomatic representation in Tokyo was held at the beautiful EU delegation building on May 9.

EU Ambassador Hans Dietmar Schweisgut and his wife Kaoru greeted what turned out to be a full house of VIP European Union members, their families, and friends. All of the 28 EU countries were, of course, represented there. The program included impressive and informative speeches by Ambassador Schweisgut and several prominent Japanese government officials.

The delicious buffet featured a special selection of national dishes prepared by master chefs of each EU member’s embassies. Needless to say, it was really special. Guests were also treated to a program of musical entertainment by the Euro Jazz Quartet led by Maestro Paul Florea.

50th wedding anniversary.

I had to turn down a super invitation by a super couple—Philippines Ambassador Manuel Lopez and his wife Maritess to Manila for their 50th wedding anniversary. Tokyo friends of the special couple who did go included Bill and Charo Ireton, their busy actress daughter Roberta, Kuwait Ambassador Al-Otaibi and his wife Jamilah,

Spanish Ambassador Miguel Ángel Navarro Portera and his wife Romana, Blackstone’s Daniel Fujii, Kyoko Spector, Lilo Maruyama, wife of Thai Ambassador Upatasin Monthip, Utako Arrir, wife of Moroccan Ambassador and Imperial Hotel President Sugeyasu. Hopefully, I’ll get some photos of what I heard was a glittering and truly memorable event for the next column.

South African Freedom Day

This year’s South African Freedom Day was celebrated at Meiji Kinenkan at a crowded and colorful reception hosted by South African Ambassador Pheko. She, along with her executive staff, all wore fashionable South African costumes in the receiving line.

The venue, which is first class, always provides an excellent buffet that includes many of the sponsoring country’s specialties. Things got lively later in the evening with some exciting drumming and dancing by a talented South African group. I also want to congratulate singer Prisca Molotsi, who not only looked beautiful but belted out a dynamic rendition of her country’s national anthem, “Nkosi Sikelela iAfrika.” Kudos as well to the Ambassador whose speech made most of us want to catch the next plane for a holiday in her fabulous country.

PLACES

Thanks to Oakwood Premier Tokyo Midtown’s Martin, Eric, and Amy we had two fan club members’ parties at the luxurious Oakwood lounge. The many well-dressed fans were in their twenties and thirties, and Matte, who speaks some Japanese, kept them all laughing for two full hours. He’s coming back to Japan soon and will be the only foreigner in a musical that will be running from August 16 to 27. More on this later.

Over in Omotesando, the big and beautifully designed Apple Computer Store really adds class and color to the area behind the police box on Aoyama Dori. I think I can safely say that’s going to make things really busy in that already busy location. Across the street, the elegant Gucci Store has added color and class to their rather traditional building with a tasteful photo collection of their latest fashions.

There’s also a new building going up, next to Edward Suzuki’s Tokyo Union Church. Continuing across Aoyama Dori, you have endless fashion boutiques on Miyuki Dori. Japan’s top designer Issey Miyake has both men’s and women’s boutiques here: A bit pricey, but quite original. If you like really classy window displays, check out the French skiwear shop Moncler across from Cartier. They’re always perfectly coordinated and really upscale. Another big international boutique, Alexander McQueen, opened on Miyuki just off Aoyama Dori and looks very worthwhile to check out.

Walk up Miyuki to the intersection where the super chic Koto Dori Nezu Museum (lots of bamboo) is, turn right, and walk to the Blue Note Jazz Club past lots of big brand name boutiques where you can spend lots of yen. Right after the Blue Note, turn left on Koto Dori and walk to the big intersection. On the corner, you’ll see talented and very creative designer Junko Koshino’s fashion building. Junko has designed costumes and won awards for pieces she has made for musicals, ballets, and other shows. You can see her work in performances by the truly sensational Tao drum rock group in their latest show Rin to Rin—running from July 16 through July 27 at the Galaxy Theater in Odaiba. For info and tickets, call 0570.550 779.

*First published at the Tokyo Weekender
*Images Copyright: Tsukasa Shiga