MONOMANIA, WORLD WIDE LOVE, KYOYA TEDDY MONSTER IN LAFORET TOKYO. KAWAII CUTE JAPANESE JEWELRY, WOMEN'S CLOTHES, HAIR ACCESSORIES.
Exciting news — I’ll be hosting and fixing (scheduling) another TV show in Tokyo! This time, I’m working with two ebullient young Australians, both named Tim. They’re the creators of a new travel show with Sony Australia and Elsewhere Productions. I can’t wait to take them to my favorite Gothic / bizarre places in Japan — and I’ll be sure to put up clips for you to see. The other TV shoot, with Dutch Pepsi, is going insanely well… I’ll have photos and videos on this blog in a week or so!
There are a few new stores in the basement of Laforet Harajuku. Monomania has a light, upscale-casual collection. The cute animal prints and pastels are a bit reminiscent of Fairy Kei. (Search for “fairy kei” in the box on the sidebar, to see photos.)
Monomania isn’t really my style — not sufficiently alternative-flamboyant — but I think the concept is well-conceived.
However, I am very fond of the new accessories and jewelry shop at the foot of the staircase. (I can’t recall the name…) You’ll find handmade, indie accessories here, including Kyoya Teddy Monster. Eyeballs and bloody teddy bears have never looked so enticing!
Everywhere you turn, there’s J-rock and Visual Kei inspiration… heaven in a department store. Coming up: Sweet Lolita brand boutiques in Laforet. For a full Gothic Lolita Punk shopping guide to Tokyo, please visit my shopping guide.
Bonus photo: Yukiro and I are obsessed with eating kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) pizza. Asia is known for strange pizza toppings, and pumpkin slices are no exception. But trust us — it’s scrumptious. Best of all, each wedge is only 200 yen ($2). It WAS being sold in the Sunpierrot bakery, located to the right when you enter Shinjuku Station east exit… but the pizza has now been discontinued. Sad face. (Is life worth living any more?)
Reader Angela and her friends created a school publication, A|WARE Magazine, and featured me in their article about blogging. (Thank you for the mention!) Their insight about blogging as self-reflection is well put: “Blogging forces an individual to face his or her feelings and sort them out. Being able to look back at previous posts is also very valuable — to reflect upon what has changed, what has stayed the same; to feel regret, happiness, nostalgia; and to put things into perspective.” (You can see the entire magazine here.)
Thank you also to Black-Mana (left) and RunawayCosplay (right) for the pretty drawings! I love seeing your La Carmina / Basil artwork; send me an email and I’m happy to feature your work on my blog.
PS: Drool or vomit over my new CNNGo article: Asia’s 10 most dangerously decadent desserts.
PPS: Don’t forget to enter my Dir en Grey contest: you can win one of FIVE PAIRS of tickets to the Club Nokia Los Angeles show, on Sept 8. Contest ends TOMORROW so hurry here (and tell all your LA friends!).
Japanese Word of the Day: Dousa = Action, movement
Song of the Day: Suzy Q – Computer Music (Oh 1985…)
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CAN CAN SEATTLE: ABSINTHE BAR & BURLESQUE CABARET. BEST ALTERNATIVE GAY LGBT NIGHTLIFE, MODERN DANCE DRAG.
The Can Can kicks butt. Although we didn’t have the best experience with Seattle Goth clubs, Rose and I found a welcoming home on Saturday night — bursting with absinthe, burlesque, and a friendly LGBT/alternative crowd. Can Can Cabaret, we rate you a 10 out of 10!
Everyone who reads this blog knows I’m sort of obsessed with absinthe. (Type in “absinthe” in the search box on the right sidebar, and you’ll see.) We went to The Can Can two nights in a row to taste local varieties of the green fairy. Pacifique (made in Washington State) is creamy delicious, as was the last remaining bottle of Marteau (a superb label from Oregon). The bartender, Zach, impressed us with his class and skill.
The red walls and gold frames suited us very well.
We couldn’t stop smiling and cheering when The Castaways took over the stage. Their flirty, fun act defies categorization: there’s burlesque, circus acrobatics, humor, modern dance. For one song, choreographer Rainbow Fletcher stripped and bounced on this giant rocket. We loved the Siegfried and Roy parody, where a harmonic dance ends in a white tiger mauling.
The Castaways held my attention the entire time. Each act was creatively executed, with fierce costumes and a kicking soundtrack that included 1980s, electro, Dresden Dolls and Rasputina.
The Can Can Castaways bring in a breath of fresh air to stale burlesque. Watch out for this act.
Owner Chris Snell is a hyper, pink-wigged mastermind: aka the perfect host. The Can Can is truly a gem, from the open and friendly atmosphere to the absinthe and performances. We can’t wait to return!
Are you fond of burlesque? What are some of your favorite cabarets, troupes and performers?
PS: My Scottish Fold cat Basil Farrow was nominated for the 2010 meowing championship! Please VOTE for him — we must prevail! (All it takes is leaving a comment on this site; you can connect via Facebook.)
Japanese Word of the Day: Kosaji = Teaspoon
Song of the Day: Erasure – Always (The soundtrack to the Siegfried and Roy white tiger act.)
LA CARMINA
