HBO Comedian and Strip Headliner Robert Schimmel, who incorporates his battle with cancer into his raunchy comedy routine, dined with friends Thursday at The Light Group’s latest restaurant venture BRAND Steakhouse. Schimmel enjoyed the signature filet and BRAND salad while at the end of the meal, Schimmel was surprised with an array of the restaurant’s signature desserts brought out by Executive Chef Brian Massie. Just a few tables away, legendary DJ Tiesto (and perennial favorite in the world) dined with friends in a corner booth while chowing down on a filet accompanied by a lobster tail. MEANWHILE. Global restaurant group SUSHISAMBA, in conjunction with Rosehip Records, has announced the launch of “Sugarcane Music Vol. 1,” the company’s first musical release. This 14 track collection mirrors the restaurant’s culinary ethos with an infectious blend of contemporary Brazilian melodies and Asian tones set against a backdrop of urban dance grooves. New and original tracks were created by producers at Rosehip Records and overseen by Shimon Bokovza, founder of SUSHISAMBA. Songs were written, arranged and produced by Kenny “Dope,” Terry Hunter, Soundpusher, Kendall Nesbitt and Edinho, DJ Eddie Mills, Nick Monson and Andy Gallas. The end result is a delicious and danceable mix of futuristic, Brazilian and Japanese-influenced tunes. “I’m thrilled to bring my twin passions for food and music together for the first time with the release of this compilation,” states Bokovza. “From the outset this was a very challenging project, mixing and blending the sounds and styles of several musical genres including Brazilian, Asian, Latin and Urban Dance. Original contributions from countless musicians and several producers make this a remarkable CD,” states Terry Hunter, executive producer and vice president, Violator All Star D.J.s. This CD sampler displays an incredible breadth and scope of musicians and producers, most notably Terry Hunter and Kenny “Dope.” Terry Hunter has garnered significant success in the global house music community. As vice president of Violator All Star D.J.s, Hunter is a spokesperson and representative for more than 60 D.J.’s worldwide. From London to Johannesburg, Madrid to Tokyo, he is also a celebrated guest D.J., appearing in the largest and most prestigious clubs throughout the world. Three-time Grammy nominated Kenny “Dope,” one of the most prolific artists of the modern music age, has launched countless successful songs with his unique fusion of house, hip-hop, Latin, jazz, soul, and broken beats. His breakthrough solo effort came with the recording of the Buckethead’s album in 1995, and a track on the album called “The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind)” became an instant sensation, crashing the European pop charts and resulting in a major hit. He has since released thousands of tracks, remixed hundreds of singles, and D.J.’d all over the world. In his production work, he consistently shows his distinctive ability to program superior beats in a tapestry of music styles.