nani? nani?

What's going down in Tokyo town this week?

Tonight, Monday June 2, Pause Talk Vol.22 is being held at Cafe Pause in Ikebukuro. The idea of Pause Talk is to create a forum where Tokyo-based creatives can get together and discuss their own projects, as well as cultural currents of the city. If you're interested in joining the forum, check out more details at jeansnow.net. Join the Pause Talk facebook group for updates and reminders.

Ultra Super Tube is being held at Super Deluxe this coming Wednesday night. You can upload your youtube videos on the site to be played live at the event on Wednesday night. Free entry!

Illusions, an afterparty event, will be held at 57 in Roppongi June 7 from 10pm til 2am. Juggler/magician extraordinaire Jeremy Eaton will astound, while LED hula hoop sensation Deanne (yay that is me!) delights. Who knows what other craziness will ensure from an evening of illusion?

More? There is always more going on in Tokyo. Will be sure to keep you posted!

The new season BROS WEAR DESIGNS tees have made their way to TOKYOMADE and are taking design and style to a whole new dimension. With designs such as Inner Masquerade, Ninth Chamber and Kagiyama, BROS WEAR DESIGNS creator Oshima Motochika has sourced the subconscious mind melded it with geometric inspiration and doses of Japanese tradition. Street style, club culture and cityscapes are welling within each design.

Photo by Altus

This week in Tokyo as the humidity rises and the rainy season begins there are all kinds of events and happenings organized to take our minds off the sweatiness.

On Wednesday night at Super Deluxe Test Tone vol. 34 is being held. A breath of fresh air after out making a living all day. Electronic atmospheres presented in subtle and wonderful ways. Beautifully breathy songstress Nacci, enigmatic underground artist Yusuke Kamijima and label owner/veteran of splendorous electronic music Shintaro Aoki make for an exquisite evening at Super-Deluxe. Respendent visuals courtesy of Ben List (DaDaKingZ) and our good friend Shantell Martin (live drawing).

This coming Friday, unlucky for some, a Friday the 13th Hoop Jam is being organized by HOOPLOVERS at CLASKA in Meguro. Wear all black and join the 2hour class for just ¥2000.

The London Calling crew celebrate their 1st anniversary on June 14 at La Fabrique in Shibuya.

When new Lissita pieces turn up here at TOKYOMADE it is always like opening up a treasure chest overflowing with glam goodness. The latest accessories by Japanese creator Lissita are stunning eye candies, in true Lissita style.

Making uniquely luscious use of resin and treasures from near and far, the latest Lissita range includes the Jelly Earrings and Arabian Nights Necklace.

Used by over 3 million passengers a day, Shinjuku Station in Tokyo is the busiest train station in the world. In addition to the droves of commuters that stream through the station daily there are over 200 exits in this central hub, making Shinjuku Station an outrageous challenge for many tourists and newcomers.

With such billowing human traffic daily it is no wonder that many popular Tokyo departments stores have made their home right in or on top of the station.

From a design savvy blog roll to a sleek design portal with a spotlight on young designer's creations, Design Spotter the German-based site has evolved along side the designers it has supported.

The recently transformed space gives young designers from all over the world a chance to share their greatness. Design Spotter calls out for designers, artists, architects, students and manufacturers to submit their designs, products, projects and prototypes for free. Images, descriptions and profiles are showcased in an easy to navigate and fresh looking portal.

Now with even more to access, Design Spotter has a number of filters that allow you to search for products efficiently, making the search for that special something a snap. Along side the products and designs you can also catch up on design happenings in the events area, check out Design Spotter reports on contemporary design right before you scour designer profiles.

We have been a long time Design Spotter fan, their recent crank up has left us wanting more and wandering what fabulous designer support system the team will come up with next.

Known for their recycled Japanese style creations, B.S.E.T.C have recently whipped up a new range of one-of-a-kind bags for TOKYOMADE. Golden Geisha and Meiji Taishou are just two of the new season creations made using vintage and recycled materials.

Each piece is deigned and hand made in Japan. B.S.E.T.C scribe secret messages on each of their bags and the multitude of hidden pockets make for practical little surprises.

Photo by Artsy Tigger
We knew the Freeze had been scheduled for Sunday and although we were heading to Yoyogi park, not far from the stagnant action, we thought we were too late for the event and likely just run in to friends on the way and catch up on the details. Luckily for us just as we were passing over the bridge where the Harajuku girls hang out we were grabbed by photographer Martine Cotton and told that we had a about 30 seconds to get into position.

Dumping or hoops we watched around eagerly to get the signal from the lead freezer! In no time and without any commotion we were frozen in time for 5 minutes. As Leila spent her 5 minutes hunched over digging for her ipod, I had a good view of the happenings. Close by I could spy many couples and trios frozen in place while the rest of the crowd wandered, stared, giggled, and took photos. A few tourists came along side me and whispered, "Is it OK to take a photo?" Of course I could not respond and so I would love to see the pics of the group of men who took plenty of snapshots of them with their arms around me as I stood there like a statue.

A super cool event with plenty of stories to catch up on after wards. We headed to Yoyogi to swap Tokyo Freeze stories and share the hoop love.

Tokyo Art Beat are sharing their exclusive range Summer 2008 tees at Fragment next Sunday. Worth a look see if you are out and about in Shimokitazawa.

Photo by washako16

What is happening in Tokyo this week apart from rain? It is the time of year when all the funkiest umbrellas come out to play in the city and shop fronts, umbrella stands and train rails are dotted with thousands of left behind clear umbrellas. Rainy season is upon us but there is no stopping the events and happening going on around Tokyo.

Photo by glowingstar

TAB Talks #11 "Making Of Towada Art Center"
All are warmly invited to attend - those with an interest in museum architecture, the relationship between art and cities, those planning to visit Towada over the summer vacation... The talk is scheduled to last 2 hours, and English interpretation will be provided.
This Tuesday night at Gotanda Sonic. TAB Talks are a bilingual Japanese-English and start at 8:30pm, late enough for overworked designers. Limited seating of 90, go early.

Dr Sketchy's Tokyo is having a seriously saucy Office Party this Wednesday night at the Pink Cow. Rain, hail or shine it is worth gathering your sketch pads, your favorite pencils and getting in early for the best seat in the house. Doors open: 6:00PM
Laughs and Sketching start: 7:00PM
Finish up around:10:30/11PM

Entry: 1500yen (includes model's fee+1 drink)
RSVP or more info: drsketchytokyo@gmail.com
Come early for the best spots and delicious Pink Cow food 'n drinks.

Post-rave French DJ duo Scratch Massive will be glitzing Tokyo with two events this week. Catch them at AI in Roppongi and Tourture Garden Fetish Club.

Photo by Guy Perryman

With the rain teaming down outside, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Tokyo than with radio DJ and Tokyo Espresso creator Guy Perryman. As the rain beat against the windows we got cozy inside the Omotesando Dori cafe, having a long chat about Tokyo, our inspirations and what the future holds for Guy and his supersonic, non-stop stream of listen on demand radio on guyperryman.com.

On the 4th of July Guy is celebrating the launch of the new Jet Set UK radio program sponsored by Virgin Atlantic Airways with a super chic and fun filled night in the Mado Lounge on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills, up up and away above the city streets. The party is called Sky High and is set to dazzle and amaze with a range of funky acts and a line up of hot DJs including Guy himself. Trans-Atlantic party up above the Tokyo skyline.

After a chat about some of Guy's hot new projects he sleekly whipped out his voice recorder and got to work interviewing me about HOOPLOVERS and Masao and I about the soon to arrive Fragment event. A true professional, Guy put any nerves we might have had at ease with his positive vibe, soothing style and sparkling charm.

Be sure to listen to Tokyo Espresso all this week for the interview I did chatting to Guy about HOOPLOVERS and on Friday you can hear Masao's gorgeous promotion of Fragment.

More Sky High details...
Yanks v's Brits!! Welcome on-board for a night of Trans-Atlantic mayhem in the Tokyo night sky..
..ooh I'm getting dizzy already..
Yes it's the 4th of July & Guy is celebrating the launch of a new radio program Jet Set UK!! So it's time for a little Hooray For Hollywood & Jolly Hockey Sticks all on the same night up on the 52nd floor at Mado Lounge.
Original live electronic music sets from Fleck & Shane Berry.
Guy will spin a mix of exotic lounge & club music in tribute of Mondo Hollywood & Broadway to the heart of the London Underground.
Plus live shows & entertainment to celebrate Trans-Atlantic showbiz!!