Rocking & Rolling in Tokyo: Celebrity Style!

Never have we had an opportunity to hang out with a celebrity.  I’ve seen the movies and the TV shows like Entourage, but knowing someone before they were famous and having an opportunity years later to reconnect puts a unique perspective on things.  This was the case for our recent trip to Tokyo.  A former university mate, Blaise Plant, is the front man for the acclaimed and chart busting Japanese/Canadian pop band Monkey Majik.  We have kept in touch through email off and on and I have followed along somewhat on his website, but it wasn’t until recently that we were passing through Japan on a stopover at a time when he was not touring or recording and was free to visit.

We met at a restaurant called Gonpachi which is noted for being the inspiration for Quentin Tarantio‘s Kill Bill movies.  It kind of feels like you are on the set as soon as you walk in.  Being with a noted celebrity definitely has its advantages: heads immediately turned as soon as we entered, and the bar manager and maitre’d were quick to approach, shake hands and offer up the best table in the house.  It wasn’t long before the owner of the restaurant was over to take our order and offer his recommendations.  There weren’t many vegetarian choices for Katie, but with a quick wave of the hand the owner said the chef would make something special and not to worry.  The rest of the meal consisted of Kobe Beef skewers, Fois Gras, avocado sushi, a wonderful cesar salad, edamame, tofu with sea salt, and beers.  At some point during our meal, the owner returned with a gift: a ten year old bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne.  Once that bottle disappeared, another delicious but dangerous bottle was quick to follow.  We were prepared but thankful to not see that bill at the end of the meal.

After departing the restaurant, it was off to a private lounge on the sixth floor of a fairly nondescript building in Ginza.  Here we were greeted by the owner once again, seated, and again offered a vintage bottle of the best champagne in the house.  It was a celebration and an honor that our rock star friend would come to his establishment.  It’s good for business.  Instantly recognized by the few other patrons of this lounge, a businessman also lavished our table with nothing but the best – more vintage champagne.  At the end we calculated that we went through $1,600.00 of the splendid drink.  At this lounge we were also greeted by one of Blaise’s friends, Cyril, a famous magician often referred to as the David Blaine of Asia.  He is a Japanese Californian with regular 2 hour TV specials and very well known throughout the continent.  He treated us to some of his slight of hand magic which left us scratching our heads, and making sure our wallets were still in our pockets!  After all the gifts, the hand shaking and pats on the back and all the “I’m your number one fan!” comments throughout the evening, it was still pretty hard to believe that this was the same person I knew in college.  With heads spinning, we decided to get some noodles and call it a night.

After all the champagne, we didn’t feel quite so elegant the next day, but we soldiered on despite of it.  We met Blaise again and were treated to a tour of his record label, learned about his solo project and heard the story of how his band became the Cultural Ambassadors for Japanese/Canadian relations.  He told us about performing for, and dining with, the Emperor of Japan and playing music in Ottawa and Vancouver on a recent Canadian tour.  He served as a great tour guide as we marched through Harajuku, Ginza and Roppongi before having lunch and parting ways.

It was great to see an old friend doing well and doing what he loves.  Behind the rare blue diamond rings and diamond studded earring, behind the designer fitted clothes and the custom fitted hat, is still the same down to earth guy I knew.   He is a performer, and he is always performing, a character he created, only the curtain never goes down and the lights don’t go out.  After the show is over, he his still his character.  Lucky for him most Japanese people are too polite to be bothersome to his privacy.

Monkey Majik have a new tour starting in October 2010 and since we are living in Taiwan now, we are already making plans to catch a show or two.  A very special and warm thanks to Blaise Plant and Cyril Takayama for a wonderful and unforgettable time in Tokyo.

www.monkeymajik.com

www.cyrilmagic.com

10 year old bottle of Dom, Tokyo, Japan

One of a few bottles of Dom Perignon, Tokyo, Japan

Cyril Takayama, Geoff, Katie and Blaise Plant, Tokyo, Japan

Katie and Blaise at Binyl Records, Tokyo, Japan