"Simply Red." This is not only the name of the world-renowned musical group. It was also the theme of a birthday bash thrown at Moscow's Zholtoye More (Yellow Sea) Japanese restaurant last week. The birthday boy being honored was none other than Andrei Grigoryev-Appolonov, the soloist of the hugely popular Ivanushki International group, who turned 30. Among the group's hits are "Podsolnukh" (Sunflower) and "Tuchi" (Clouds).
Not missing an opportunity to congratulate their ever-cheerful friend, the cream of Moscow's show business crop f fellow singers, television celebrities and fashion designers f stepped out to wish Grigoryev-Appolonov a happy birthday.
Why did they dub the party Simply Red? The title was inspired by Grigoryev-Appolonov's hair. The carrot-top has earned him the nickname Ryzhy, or Red.
Ryzhy's girlfriend, Masha Lopatova (who graced the pages of the Russian edition of Harper's Bazaar in May) greeted guests at the door with her hair and face done up in Japanese style. Inside, nightclub singer Sasha Shtein got the party going with a sensuous Marilyn-Monroe style rendition of "Happy Birthday Mr. President."
While the guests dined on sushi and other Japanese treats, Ryzhy himself took the stage and ruled the party in the style of a true showman. Just as he had promised in his invitations, the birthday boy had prepared special gifts for his friends. The most creative gift went to his two musical partners, Kirill Andreyev and Oleg Yakovlev, who were presented with a groundhog. With this gift, Grigoryev-Appolonov explained, he reminded his colleagues of the famous film "Groundhog Day" in which one day in the life of the main character, played by Bill Murray, is repeated over and over. That, Ryzhy said, is like the life of musicians on tour.
Other gifts included a bouquet of flowers for politician and Ivanushki fan Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who said it was the first time in his life he received such a present. And actor Leonid Yarmolnik, the hero of a new ski advertising campaign, received an old pair of skis.
The only person who did not seem to be enjoying himself was the 10-year-old son of director and actor Fyodor Bondarchuk. When the female pop quartet Devochki took the stage, they started flirting with the little boy, driving him under a table. Perhaps that is why Devochki's producer received a whip from Ryzhy f to protect himself from his singers.
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