Hobnobbing with Ted

We'll be seeing a lot of Ted Kennedy over the next few days as Massachusetts's senior senator makes the rounds promoting his new book, ''America Back on Track." Last night, Kennedy was in New York City for a book party where he was introduced by Bob Rubin, the former treasury secretary, before a crowd with a guest list that included his niece, Caroline Kennedy, and his sisters, Ambassador Jean Smith and Patricia Kennedy Lawford. Also slated to attend were Kofi Annan, Bob Caro, E.L. Doctorow, Adam Clymer, Carlos Fuentes, Karenna Gore Schiff, David Halberstam, Larry King, Roger Rees, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., John Siegenthaler, George Stevens, and Phyllis Newman Green. Kennedy was scheduled to appear last night on ''Larry King Live'' and ''The Daily Show With Jon Stewart." Later today, he's to head back to Washington, where he's scheduled to appear Sunday on Tim Russert's ''Meet the Press."

Drive this way

Aerosmith's drummer Joey Kramer became the first person in the United States to take ownership of the 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Kramer was at the new Lamborghini Boston dealership in Peabody yesterday when the lovely convertible arrived from Italy. The 10-cylinder car, which one car magazine said can hit a top speed of 195 mph, cost a cool $230,000. Because Kramer was promised the car yesterday, it was sent by plane to Logan rather than shipped to South Boston.

A royal commencement at Brandeis

The keynote speaker for Brandeis University's commencement next month will be His Royal Highness Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan. Prince Hassan and six others also will receive honorary degrees at the 55th commencement on May 21. Others being honored are renowned mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne; Sidney Swartz, chairman of the New Hampshire-based Timberland Co., and his wife, Judith; Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner; Nellie Mae Education Foundation president and CEO Blenda J. Wilson; and Mimi Silbert, cofounder and president of the Delancey Street Foundation, a residential education center that helps drug addicts, ex-convicts, and the homeless learn to lead more productive lives.

Free ‘Out Here’ all week

Boston's pounding punk-pop band Damone's latest release, ''Out Here All Night," is one of the free downloads on iTunes this week. It's been an exciting time for the band, whose new song was also featured in the new Fox show ''Free Ride." The band, which took its name from a character in the movie ''Fast Times at Ridgemont High," formed in Waltham and includes Noelle LeBlanc, Vazquez, Mike Woods, and Dustin Hengst.

Tony Beadle, manager of the Boston Pops since 1999, has resigned to become executive director of the Columbus (Ohio) Symphony. Beadle's last day with the Pops will be the opening gala, May 10. He takes up his Ohio duties in mid-June. The 53-year-old executive began his career as a bass player in Boston; he was one of the founders of the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. . . . Broadway legend Janis Paige (who danced with Fred Astaire in ''Silk Stockings" and was the original star of ''The Pajama Game") will be at Emerson College tonight to receive the school's 2006 Musical Theatre Society Award of Distinction. Selected by the society for ''her vibrant career as one of the best loved stars of the American musical theater," Paige will also participate in a forum at Emerson tomorrow morning. Previous winners of the award include Carol Channing, Harold Prince, Stephen Sondheim, Shirley Jones, and Bea Arthur.

Who knew Middlesex district attorney Martha Coakley was a foodie? We might have suspected hotelier Robin Brown and auto magnate Herb Chambers knew their way around the finer dining establishments in the city. But what about Arlington's senator, Robert Havern, and radio station Kiss 108's ''Cadillac" Jack McCartney? All filmed segments for NECN's ''TV Diner" with host Billy Costa. Coakley, a Democrat running for state attorney general, offered up some of her faves around town, including the Warren Tavern in Charlestown and Hamersley's Bistro.

Richard Dyer of the Globe staff contributed. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.