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The coffee shop is called
Ceasar 1, and don't argue with the spelling or you'll get into deep trouble. The
coffee shop is run by one of my favorite people in the Shanghai nightlife
scene, Kevin Kong, whose jackets are the most delicious fashion creations this
side of the Taklamakan. Last night he was wearing a bright orange cashmere
number that would have made me green with envy if I hadn't been wearing
pink (You know that pink and green don't match don't you?). Girls, it's
also worth going to see the way his hair falls over his collar. It's so
... moving. I'd better not talk about it. Any rumours you hear about Mr Gong and
I are not true, is that clear? Anyway, back to the coffee shop. I really must calm down. The coffee shop specialises in red wine and designer coffee, has pizza on order, and Mr Kong, who was born in Burma, is planning to introduce curries before too long. He is also planning a chain of similar establishments around Shanghai, to be called Ceasar 1,2,3 etc. So original! The Gubei establishment is open 22 hours a day, from 11am to 9am in the morning. And on the odd occasions I find myself partying in those far off parts, you can bet I will be sipping a red wine with Mr Kong before bedtime!!!
My good friend Mike Fitzmaurice definitely wants to do his bit for Shanghai
culture. Mike runs the Shanghai Centre Theatre and has organised the most
amazing schedule of performances for this year. There appears to have been a
problem with the first concert, but I'm sure it's just a minor opening hiccup.
The names of most of the music groups are not familiar to me as this is not my
usual style of music, but they sound interesting. Especially Bare Naked Ladies.
Although, if it was Bare Naked Gentlemen, I'd be more interested!! There are
several blues musicians, and performances by Todd Rungren and Warren Zevon. Even
in Shanghai in 1978, I managed to hear little Warren's song called Werewolves of
Shanghai.
Did you go to the charity slave auction at O'Malley's last Sunday? I was regrettably too busy, but the invitation was intriguing if a little disappointing on the specifics: "Carefully selected males (Real Men) in their prime to be auctioned off for charity. Bidding will start at 50 RMB per item, highest bid retains item. Purchaser will have the opportunity of having tires pumped, windows washed, back rubbed, etc. (no funny stuff) for an afternoon."
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Past reports from our favorite guide to Shanghai's nightlife.
One of my loyal fans has written in to point out a teensy mistake in one of my
reports, and I want to thank Craig for being so nice! Craig is the
manager at Shanghai Sally's on Sinan Lu. He wants me to tell you that the pool
tables have not been removed, they've just been shifted, one into the backroom
and the other upstairs. So you can rest assured that you can still play pool any night
of the week!! Also, Craig points out quite rightly that Sally's live music
roster includes not only Jazz on Wednesdays and Sundays but also reggae and pop
on Tuesdays, Friday and Saturdays with a band called Groovin' Point. What on
earth does "groovin' point" mean, I wonder? What groove? And what point? And
another question: why are patrons of Sally's on Thursdays and Mondays being
discriminated against live music-wise? Hmmm? Craig darling?
Another small correction to the last report: Leo's Sport's Bar on Donghu Lu is
also still open and doing fine. Leo is one of the football stars over at my
favorite soccer team in the whole world - Shenhua! There's something about those
knees ...
No!!! I mean, Werewolves of London. I used to listen to the shortwave
radio all the time. No need now! I listen to my friend Rick O'Shay instead!!
(Rick has gone to live in Beijing, but thank goodness we can still hear him on
the radio. Have you noticed how all the taxi drivers are starting to talk
English like they're from southern California?) Anyway, I'll be going to all of
Mike's concerts, so you come too!