Bright Lights, Big City: Dan Flavin: London

The Dan Flavin Retrospective most recently on view in Washington has opened in London. The exhibit is a comprehensive tour through his fluorescent career, "adapting mass-produced, commercially-available materials into works of profound intensity and astounding beauty." Good for tanning addicts in recovery or a cheap date.
+Dan Flavin: A Retrospective, Hayward Gallery, London +44 20 7921 0813, 19 January - 2 April 2006.

Ostrichs Look Better As Luggage: Lai: New York

Passports are easy to lose. Especially in this hectic, take your shoes off, show your ticket, hop on one foot world we live in - wait you need a secondary body cavity search. Which is why we highly suggest investing in this ostrich skin passport holder from Lai. The holder contains room for all of those traveler loyalty cards that you never use but always seem to be searching for as well as your vital travel documents. The perfect thing for a long international journey. But while you may draw envious glances from your fellow travelers we suggest using discression with your new golden ostrichh egg when approaching the immigration staff lest they mark you and your luggage for yet another invasive procedure.
+Lai, 35 E 65th St, New York, +1 212 794 3874.

Dance Harvey: Highball Reports: Sundance

Highball continues her report on what happens when moguls shake off the slopes:
"Last night, neither Park City nor any celeb party could entertain this yawning party princess. Only mildly entertaining moment was bearing witness to Harvey’s comical, albeit tramatic, dance moves during his fete that managed to scare many guests away. I have sadly found Sundance to be a mix of gross commercialization, ugly crowds, missable parties and uninteresting indy flicks located in dispersed cities that have wasted my precious drinking and skiing time. Overrated is a very good word.

So, the only way to party at Sundance after taking a few spins through VIP sections at industry parties is to hold court at your compound (and the only place to stay is a private ski in / ski out community called the Colony). Here’s your survival guide:

First, the must have is a private concierge and the best in Park City is Resorts West. Although some orders have been unexpectedly delayed, they have clearly realized that our daily 911s for several cases of wine, multiple handles of liquor and more firewood need immediate attention. They have also coordinated the chef and housekeeping services as well as airport transit. Although a butler service is also available, they unfortunately do not offer pool boys to wait on us while we are outside in the hot tub.

Second, the long trip down the mountain from our secluded perch at 9,000 feet has made our spa attendance more of a hassle. Although we enjoyed the Grand Summit Resort Hotel Spa in the Canyons, the best way is to hire an in home masseuse to meet you after you come off the slopes. Cloud 10 offers in home massages and even offers a service for your canine if you are a clingy dog owner. They are tough to schedule but its well worth it when you can roll from hot tub to massage table back to hot tub without spilling your drink."
+Concierge: Resorts West.
+In home massage: Cloud 10 Bodywork.
+Grand Summit Resort Hotel Spa.
+Transport: Ace Transportation, Park City, + 1 435 649 8294. Ask for Shaun.
+"Sundance, for Indies, Soft Kiss Before Dying," NY Times, 19 January 2006.
+"Missed It in the Theater Today? See It on DVD Tonight ," NY Times, 23 January 2006.

Dance You Mormon: Sundance: Highball Reports

We here at W4 HQ are quite scared of Utah and its crazy inhabitants after being detained at the Salt Lake City for having a bottle of Vodka in our bags and the attempted brainwashing by a pair of teenage missionares on a flight out of the depths of Brazil. But with the Sundance a shining there is no place we won't go for a good story and some fresh intel for your cocktail party banter. We sent Highball with her martini glass held high and plastic passes around her neck to brave the dry Mormon winter. Before she becomes Scientologist or worse she sent us this unsuprisingly bored update:
"The annual pilgrimage to Park City, UT began in full force Friday as the 25th annual Sundance Film Festival opened. Three days into my stay and so far, the crowds have been nothing but disappointing, stocked full of unattractive members of middle America seeking to be discovered. No where else will you find more questionable attire selections from the abundance of resort novices who attempt to look ski chic in the Sears’ winter collection. Even worse are the arcane liquor laws here that have prevented this skilled drinker from consuming – or even being served—more than 1 ounce per drink. My tequila shot had to be served 10 minutes ahead of my watered down vodka cocktail. So, bring a flask when you head out as you will receive no pity or additional alcohol from your waitress, platinum Amex or not.

When its time to put the wine glass down to leave the hot tub, these are the places to eat and be seen in Park City. All are quite good and among the best available here. Reservations required well in advance during Sundance.

The bar du festival is Harry O’s – a sleek by Park City standards bar and live music venue that was the locale for Paris Hilton’s opening night party on Thursday. It is padded with skimpy bouncers, crowd control railings (which are quite pathetic and unneeded), and an invite list, all of which together are so laughable that any well heeled urbanite will shake his head."
+Italian: Grappa, 151 Main Street, +1 435 645 0636.
+Asian: Wahso, 577 Main Street +1 435 615 0300.
+New American: Zoom (Robert Redford’s restaurant), 660 Main Street +1 435 649 9108.
+French: Mariposa, Silver Lake Lodge +1 435 645 6715.
+Harry O's, 427 Main Street, Park City +1 435 647-9494
+Sundance Film Festival 2006, short films.

Wrinkles in Rio: Rolling Stones: Music

Never ones to miss a chance to find an excuse to party with young women in next to nothing, the Rolling Stones have announced they will be playing a free show in Rio on Copacabanna beach on February 18th. Which gives us a very good excuse to post yet another photo of the world's best bikini, the Scintle by Thomas Maier. Only date women who can wear this holy creation.
+Rolling Stones, Copacobanna Beach, Rio 18 February.
+Thomas Maier, 1800 West Ave, Miami Beach, +1 305 531 8383.

Square Invasion: Booze Island: Global

Booze Island reports on something that doesn't involve liquor:
"If you are looking for something creative and inexpensive to throw up on your wall check out Mini Artworks. The company, based in the hedonistic pleasure town of Brighton and with an outpost in London's Camden Town, is run by a husband and wife duo. The square evenly spaced art can either be purchased off the rack or customized with photos you supply. The sqaure pieces are then easily aligned in a variety of shapes and sizes using an easy to use template and form an inventive wallhanging. Tres cool."

And if square art is your thing we suggest preparing for the invasion! Check out the global art collective, Space Invaders, as seen in public spaces worlwide (our team has seen the invaders around town in London, LA, New York and Paris). And they say squares are boring.
+Mini Artworks, 35 North Road, Brighton +44 1273 673 888.
+Space Invaders Art Collective.

W4 Poll Results: Tanned Vanity Seekers

The results are in! Our unscientific New Year's resolution poll has concluded and as expected our readership is just a group of self involved, apparently well-tanned, vanity loving alcoholics. Except for you, Mr. Do-gooder, who is trying to smoke less. Please leave the W4 site immediately lest your corrupt our incorrigible readership.

Our next poll will begin shortly. If you have a smirky topic please email us your ideas - we don't ask why because we really just don't want to know.

W4 - Who, What, When, Where - We Don't Ask Why.
+To Mr. Do-Googer: Marshall McGearty Tobacco Lounge, 1553 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago +1 773 772 8410. [source]

Radio Mockba: Water, Music, Colors: Berlin

The depths of winter can drive one insane. Thankfully we received this update from Radio Mockba about the cleansing warm waters of Berlin:
"The Liquidrom Therme is possibly the best place to go after a long week or work or after a long weekend of partying to recoup. Under the angular peaked roofs of the therme you float in warm saline waters and watch a colorful light show while listening to underwater music. I hate public pools but this is not the usual toddlers toilet. It is very clean with no diapers in sight. And the music changes every night - Thursdays are Jazz, Fridays they do classical and on Saturdays it is 'Club Terme' with a DJ from 9pm to midnight. The facilities also have massage, steam and sauna. Last time I was there I had flashbacks to Ibiza 1996 - floating in warm water, seeing colors and listening to chill out house music."
+Liquidrom Thermal Baths at the Tempodrom, Entrance Mackernstrasse 10, Berlin +49-30-74737171.
+Photo: W4: Radio Mockba: Liquidrom Therme, 13 January 2006.

+Photo: w4: Centre Pompidou, 15 January 2005

Shibuya in The City: Stella-A-Go-Go: New York

Most New Yorkers have not spent much time on the block of East 49th Street between 1st & 2nd Avenue, certainly not after midnight. Well we sent the W4 After-Hours Team from our New York bureau to explore:
"From the outside, Stella looks like a non-descript doctors office or closed-down restaurant of some sort. The sign is merely a tiny plaque on the side of the building next to the canopy. After a couple of drunken rings on the doorbell, our crew was greeted by a small Japanese man in tuxedo. He asked if they knew the rules, they said yes but of course they did not. Upon entering, the team were pleased to find Stella to be a rather charming and elegant Japanese strip club. The interior was furnished with comfortable couches, mirrors, chandeliers, a proper bar, and a mini DJ booth manned by another tuxedoed Japanese gent. No loudspeakers, neon go-go signs, or any other sorts of irritating nonsense usually found in a "gentleman's cabaret". The system works as follows: there is a main attraction dancer who dances nude for the amusement of the group followed by more intimate dancers who are requested specifically--similar to a Scores situaton but on a much more reasonable scale. The crew worked the system and had quite a raucous time seated next to a table full of Japanese businessmen. We were told that much more than stripping and lapdances was thought to be available at Stella, but after our group of gringos noticed the lifesize neck-to-arse tattoo of a snake on one of their ladies, they thought better to inquire about pay-to-play activities on another night when they were just a little more sober and more prepared for a shootout."
-Yoi Yoru Ken Kouun.
+Stella, 301 East 49th Street, New York, +1 212-750-6469.
+Also mentioned: Scores, 333 E 60th St, New York, +1 212 355 4051.

Suncrawler Reports: Dirty Pirate Grog

Puss 'N Boots reports from her hometown of Soy Skim Latte Land on the latest hipster grog spots:
"What is now all the rage for hipsters: koreatown. The prince hotel, which I just went to for the first time, leads the pack in uber-kitsch design. You can order korean food, sit in big plush booths, listen to crappy korean dance remixes, and the best touch of all? they bring you CHIPS AND SALSA with every round of drinks. love it! the HMS bounty is more dive-y, and nearby, also a hotspot. it's just koreatown overall... The vine bar seems to be hoppin' but it's a little dirty."
+The Prince, 3198 W Seventh St, Los Angeles, +1 213-389-2007.
+HMS Bounty, 3357 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, +1 213-385-7275.
+Vine, 1235 North Vine St, Hollywood, +1 323-360-0255.
+Previous W4: Suncrawler Reports: Rays from LA.

Site Note
We have updated our search functionality. You can now search the W4 archives (ex. "paris swinging", "Fizz", "Boris", "champange") via the Google engine on the right. Cheers.
-Team W4.

L'Ile de Booze: Bombed and Buzzed

We refer to England as Booze Island on this site because, it is. Our correspondents livers have long confirmed it and even the NY Times recently proclaimed it. But along with excessive alcohol consumption comes a nasty side effect - poor performance - which may be the reason a new Ipod accessory for the ladies is emanating from L’Ile de Booze. It is called the IBuzz. Highball reveals the real reason for her recent stopover on the Champagne soaked isle was to find her new toy and listen to the latest Big Booty Bass compilation:
"With the winter still ahead of us and the need for some hot loving to stay warm reaching a peak, the newest vibrator to hit the market is a sure fire way to lift your spirits and keep your bedroom steamy in between dates. Launched in December and only available via the internet through www.lovehoney.co.uk , the iBUZZ hooks up to your iPOD and vibrates to the beat of your favorite tunes. It also has 7 independent vibrating patterns if you should accidentally leave your iPOD at the club. It even is perfect for an unexpected visit by your latest boy toy when you’re just getting hot. Simply start using the his-and-her attachments to “turn him into a vibrator with the stretchy ring and use the soft sleeve for sensitive stimulation”. You’ll never listen to music while getting your groove on the same way. No word yet on whether all these electronic devices could potentially shock you but the risk is well worth it."
+I Buzz, Lovehoney.co.uk.
+Highball Recommends: Tootsie Roll, Old School Players
[]
+"A famous drink still sparkling: Bubbly nation" 13 January 2006, Independent.
+"Ever Since Falstaff, Getting Sloshed Is Cricket" 11 January 2006, NY Times.

Highball Reports from Chicago's "Viagra Triangle"

Highball, who claims to have fled the Midwest for second best (Philadelphia), reports from her old stomping ground of Chitown:
"If you are unlucky enough to find yourself shivering on the frozen tundra known as Chicago this month, there are two new spots from the father of Gibson's Steakhouse where you can secure a glass of wine to warm your spirits. LUXBAR, located right in the heart of the Gold Coast's "Viagra Triangle", is a chic yet relaxed spot perfect for a quick meal within striking distance of the Peninsula. It has the same steaks as Gibson's but lacks the loitering hookers and painfully annoying suburban soccer moms in cheap fox coats that pollute the Gibson's experience. No reservations accepted.

The other new spot is Quartino which is an excellent Italian ristorante and wine bar that opened about two weeks ago. You will successfully avoid the Midwest riff raff here who, as of this writing, are still too intimidated by its glaring resident patrons to venture in. It has a good wine selection, unbelievable service and a bare bones ambiance that mirrors European dining. It is an undiscovered gem that no doubt will get raided when the weather warms and the tourists footpaths spread. Try it sooner rather than later."
+LUXBAR, 18 East Bellevue, Chicago + 1 312 642 3400
+Quartino's Ristorante, 626 North State, Chicago +1 312 698 5000
+Hypnotize, Notorious BIG, [lyrics].

Surfs Up: Wanna Surf? Totally Dude.

Most likely you are either just getting on the post-holiday detox/exercise band wagon or your are drinking yourself slowly into a nice case of cirrhosis to help ease the pain of the deep winter months. With spring less than 60 days away, its time to focus on planning your next escape to la playa. If you are looking for the best breaks around the world check out Wannasurf. The site has maps of the world's surf breaks, photos, and descriptions of the conditions. Great resource whether you are a shubee or the real deal.
+Wannasurf.
+Previous W4: Trunks: Vilebrequin VIP Collection.

Boris Reports: No Virgins on Van Dyke

Boris sends in this disappointed dispatch from the Caribbean Sea where apparently his brand of premium vodka did not mix well with the local tonic:
Over the Christmas/New Years Holiday, I set out on a beautiful boat to explore the British Virgin Islands. I left New York expecting the usual wildness/parties/models/orgies on yachts, etc. that St. Barth's had always offered. Everyone told me to expect none of this, saying that the area of the world I was heading to was very quiet, without nightlife, and frequented by an unusually homely group of vacationers. Did I believe them? Of course not. But they were right. Everywhere we went, the bars were deserted and the few that were not were inhabited by revoltingly fat deformed Midwesterners wearing too little clothing. I resigned myself to evenings watching movies and drinking myself to sleep on the boat (the concept of boat is better than not boat became blindingly clear).

What I did believe was the complete fabrication that Jost Van Dyke was the biggest and best party for New Years Eve. Now Jost Van Dyke has some beautiful beaches, don't get me wrong. It also has a tremendous amount of visitors, unfortunately they're all hideous and classless. Roughly a couple thousand of these lovely grease puppies were in attendance for the "big shindig" on the 31st when our vessel pulled in to shore. Bars were set up everywhere, booths selling bottles of low-grade booze and rancid food of the street meat variety were strewn about on the way to the central party area. In addition to the drunken frat boys, beer-funnelling tattooed housewives and their sweaty Hawaiian shirt clad beerbellied husbands were a fair amount of fairly dangerous-looking locals. All in all, not a crowd anyone would desire to spend the last hours of any year with. Luckily, we were accompanied by a burly Aussie from the boat to keep these slimey revelers at bay. After a couple of drinks, my group ventured to a "VIP" outdoor space where some sort of concert was going on. The only thing that was "VIP" peasant-to-me distance was far greater. A lacklustre countdown to New Years happened, kisses, hugs, followed by a sprint to the dock and onto the launch. We were soon back aboard our boat drinking, dancing, and generally just celebrating having made it off Jost Van Dyke alive. I recounted my thoughts on life, the demise of Bijan, and the evening to a 15-year old chain-smoking chap named Nico who told me "I like your style". Well I like your style too my friend.

So what did I learn? The Virgin Islands are beautiful but not to expect action, not to leave the boat, fat people should wear lots of clothing, and definitely not to go to Jost Van Dyke for New Years!

I'm switching it up for '06.

You Love Boris
+Previous W4: Boris: Suckled in Manhattan.
+Previous W4: Boris and the Bunnies.

Modern Gentlemens Guide: Napping

Napping: Naps are an extremely important part of my day-to-day existence. They are the key factor in my life that allows me to work during the day and party all night. My recommendation is a one-hour nap after work and before dinner included into one’s everyday schedule. After a nap, you’ll be able to embark upon the evening’s activities with the proper amount of gusto.
+Best place for a beach nap: Santa Therea, Costa Rica.
+Best place for a mountain top nap: Seattle Ridge Lodge, Sun Valley.
+Best place for a poolside disco nap: Shore Club, Miami.
+Best place for a nap in a hammock: Peter Island / Guanna Island, British Virgin Islands.

W4: Keeping Ahead of Schedule in 2006

Downtown Cipriani Karokee

W4's Stardust Reports on Knickerless Models Singing:
Reported: 10 May 2005.

NY Times reports from Broome and West Broadway:
Reported: 1 January 2006.

W4 - Keeping your intel young and nubile.
We don't ask why.

W4 Photog: Guana Island, British Virgin Islands,

29 December 2005

Vuelto bronceado en 2006.

-W4 Team

+Words: Your Own Private Carribean: Guana Island: Concierge.com.