Ed in China

Nov. 19th, Ed left New York for China on an exciting and adventurous trip that he has been expecting for a long time.

From Ed…

Nov.23rd, 2013

For my friends in New York and elsewhere USA, I should report my new Journey to Asia. This time I am starting in Shanghai to do some business and visit friends old and new.

Upon arriving, I was graciously picked up at the airport by the China Musical Corporation folks, they are producing the musical “Shanghai Bund”, a great story in Chinese history in 1940s-50s old Shanghai, whose principals also helped produce “Monkey Journey To The West staged at Lincoln Center’s Koch Theater in July 2013. ( In a way. I feel like the Monk in the story, journeying East)

After a nice meeting at their offices in Jingan district, an area I know well from past trips, and resisting the strong urge to sleep from my 15 hour flight, I made it directly to a dinner at the Langham Xintiandi hosted by me new friend Heer. He assembled 5 other friends to join and we had a luxurious feast in an elegant private dining room. Champagne and well prepared Chinese food..an utter pleasure for me. The Group was a balance of boy/girl, and interesting,diverse professionals in the emerging dynamism of modern China.

After dinner, and fighting the urge to now fall asleep in my soup ( I have now been up for 32 straight hours), we ventured out into the night to 2 places/venues. The Alicia Keyes reception spot celebrating her Shanghai performance was first. Held at AV club in Xintiandi, it was much like a NY Club with its glitter, glitteratti, and Hip Hop music. But in China, it was such a unique cultural blend. A Gumbo/Congee soup which somehow works, and proves that people everywhere tend to like the same good things in life. Heer and Ada kept more champagne flowing, and I was too tired, or maybe too stupid to resist.

And then, skillfully orchestrated by friend Heer and Ada, onward we went in our private car to the next mysterious place . At this point, I am not sure how i am commanding my body to move onward, but miraculously all limbs and brain were working, although in diminished mode for sure.

When we arrived at the new place, strategically located on the elegant historic Bund, where Armani, Jean George and Prada now co-habitate, we were greeted outside by my dinner companion Jack who announced “welcome to my club”, and promptly escorted us into this remarkable club/ venue inside, called Cirque Les Soir ( Bund-22, Shanghai, China. Look it up.), The first “Circus” club opened in London in 2009, then Dubai, and now Shanghai.

You can see some photos here. And also my Zenfolio website.

“So Much Fun..So Little Sleep”
(anonymous monk)

Nov. 27th, 2013
On my bullet train now to attend EARS on Beijing – Shanghai to Beijing and it takes 4h 55min at the average speed of 310km/h. The countryside is surprisingly green and farms everywhere. And the business class is quite a luxury… includes wifi!

Nov. 28th, 2013

BEIJING DOES HAVE BLUE SKY!!!! Today was spectacular here in Beijing. I recorded from my hotel room (on the 3rd Ring) the day break at 7am, and then took 3 more photos 11 hours later at 6pm. Contrary to the reports of shocking, grey choking air, this day was different. Assaulted by a new cold front from the north (assuredly Mongolia)., this Genghis Khan-like air blew all the bad stuff away. Blue at last! Power to the Mongols once again! I can now only be sheepish about the quality of NY City Air/Sky compared to here.
But tomorrow may be a different story….more to follow..

Nov.30th, 2013

Mother and daughter with their female sprits…

I took this photo on the street in Factory 798 Art Zone in Beijing.

Dec.2nd, 2013

EARS on Shanghai

This conference had an ideal outdoor area for discussions and networking..the air quality was surpassingly good (but short lived).

Dec.6th, 2013

Shanghai Powerstation Art Museum Opening.

This massive new museum has so many clever artists.

Panties as Art…

Dec.11th, 2013

Google translate is very helpful here. I love it.

“My name is Eddie, and I come from New York.

If I drink too much please send me home.”

Dec.12th, 2013

Masks are popular in China, but let’s not forget the Ears!

Dec.16th, 2013

I was at an intimate press meeting in Shanghai for Juhnheng Li’s new book “Tiger Woman on Wall Street”, published by McGraw Hill.

It was held at the Foreign Correspondents Club Shanghai, where we all discussed with Juhnheng the story of her Wall Street work experience, her being Shanghai Chinese in America, and the earlier personal events (family, school, chinese cultural values) which helped shape her. I was pleased with the Tea Salon style gathering, the insightful and honest dialogue, the intelligent questions and push-backs , and my own ability to learn so much from others who live (and breathe) in todays dynamic and complex China. And as an old friend from NY, I was happy to participate.

Click below to see photos on FashionBMS…