THE MAX FACTOR
In which finds there’s no need to journey far to enjoy the raciest of evenings
AUGUST IS ONE of the most anticipated months of the year. For the majority of us it entails packing bags and flying off to some far-flung location in search of pristine beaches and summer sun. In that respect I’m somewhat spoiled, living in California. The sun shines endlessly and the beach is close at hand, along with the desert, the mountains and many other breathtaking destinations that the state has to offer. So, I asked myself, why deal with all the folding and packing, the never-ending airport queues, the inevitable delays and problems with lost luggage when everything’s right here on my doorstep?
As luck would have it, work had decided to keep me here anyway – I’d just been booked to perform at an event in neighbouring Orange County to mark the unveiling of the Aston Martin V12 Zagato.
The concept car was originally brought to the world’s attention earlier this year, at the annual Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este vintage automobile show at Lake Como in Italy. Carmakers also take advantage of the gathering to showcase their latest models, and the Zagato won the award for Best Design in the Concepts and Prototypes Class before going on to perform at the celebrated 24-hour Nürburgring race in Germany. Although there are only two of the cars in the world, Aston Martin has said it might go into very limited production in the summer of 2012, depending on customer interest.
The venue for the Orange County unveiling was the super-chic and award-winning AnQi Restaurant, which is next to Bloomingdale’s in South Coast Plaza, the county’s most luxurious mall and a haven for top fashion brands. AnQi is owned by the highly successful House of An group, which operates a number of popular restaurants in Los Angeles and San Francisco, including the much-lauded Crustacean Beverly Hills.
AnQi has enjoyed huge success and rave reviews since opening less than two years ago. Impeccably designed, and with a strong Asian theme and excellent Vietnamese cuisine, the restaurant attracts a discerning local crowd, as well as tastemakers and foodies from all over. As I approached on the freeway, the mall’s exterior was illuminated luridly in red spotlights for the occasion.
Though an array of impressive Aston Martins were lined up outside, all eyes were on the blood-red Zagato, which took centre stage at the main entrance. A small crowd had gathered around the car, which really is a magnificent-looking piece of high-end machinery. I ached to take it for a test drive, but despite my pleas to its guardian, and my assurances that I would return the supercar, I was told in no uncertain terms that there would be no chance of me commandeering the vehicle. Alas, the only wheels I was destined to get behind that night were the “wheels of steel.”
Inside, the restaurant was packed with diners and partygoers, all eager for a fun night. I was stationed in the lounge area, alongside the restaurant, so I had a commanding view over the whole scene. I jumped behind my wheels and eased them in with an early evening selection of chilled-out, cocktail-sipping delights to set the mood. It didn’t take long, however, before the guests were getting into the groove, and so I upped the tempo with some rocking electro beats.
The audience was fast to respond, and soon bodies were moving and the party was in full swing. I was joined in my set by incredible violinist Yennie Lam, who worked the audience into a frenzy with a fantastic performance. Anyone thinking Orange County a quiet, sedate locale would have changed his mind that night. I kept the tempo up, and the turbo-charged evening remained in top gear until the chequered flag, when we were finally forced to hit the proverbial brakes, much to the crowd’s disappointment.
Having said that, the response from guests was so overwhelming that it was subsequently decided to make the night a weekly event, now called Fashionably Late Fridays. With all the same ingredients – sans Aston Martin, of course – the night has gained in momentum since, and it may well become a more permanent fixture for me. Seems I’ll be basking under the California sun for some time to come.
