Arriving Early for Soundcheck for my first performance in Tokyo-- an event in partnership with Sotokoto Magazine, the world's first Eco-Fashion magazine, which covers Cuisine, Wine, Art, Fashion, and Culture from the LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability) perspective. The emphasis on a SLOW approach to cuisine, art and life in direct contrast to FAST as embodied by the fast-paced, fast-food, over-processed, mass-produced culture resonates greatly with me.

One of the themes of Around the World in a Single Stroke is celebrating remarkable individuals who craft, create, shape or nurture each note, each grape, each structure, each sound, each idea with such care, that they adhere to the internal rules of time of their creation, not the super-imposed pulse of the marketplace.

Outside there is a giant display of this month's magazine cover and many small versions jauntily arranged in rows. This month's issue features a page with my original wine label inside. A sign outside announces the special evening. Wrapped in a stylish crimson scarf, Ichizo Nakagawa of the Nakagawa Wine Co., Ltd. is hosting the extraordinary evening. Kumiho Nakagawa welcomes me into the beautiful setting.

For tonight's performance, I chose to reflect a sense of texture and connectedness with the earth. I am wearing a magnificent soft chocolate mohair cardigan sent from Paris just for this performance, the Cicada top in Ash, and shimmering pants in wheat. For the World Tour I am wearing exclusively Catherine Malandrino, the timeless designer who is also one of the distinguished honorees.

Mr. Nakagawa caps the glorious evening by offering a blind test to all these guests with the most discerning of palettes. Who can guess which wine he is pouring? What is the reward? 3 bottles of Jim Clendenen's Pinot Noir for which I created the Mission of Santa Barbara stand behind him bathed in the glowing Sotokoto light waiting to be awarded to the winners! After much swirling, tasting, and discussion, the guests each hand in their cards and Mr. Nakagawa carefully studies results. 3 winners are chosen and one by one in a special ceremony each is honored as I sign the wine for them and it is beautifully wrapped for them.

Photos of the Performance with Sotokoto can be seen here