Miss W presents White Ibiza

Marco Torres Pop Life exhibition @ El Hotel: 27/02/09

2009-02-28T17:43:00.000+01:00

Knowing that it was the last weekend of winter gave Miss W the urge to batten down the hatches, hire some DVDs and snuggle up on the couch with her cats while she still had a seasonal excuse, however Ibiza’s glorious weather combined with the Pop Life exhibition opening party tonight had me reaching for my nearest tie-dyed mini-dress and hotfooting it down to Pacha’s El Hotel.

Screen print artist Marco Torres – one of the crew responsible for the mega successful Rock Nights parties – was tonight adding a splash of vibrant colour to the otherwise all-white El Bar, in the form of an exhibition of Pop Art work, a series of 60s inspired imagery in the well-known style along with some retro visuals and a feast of musical sounds courtesy of Lost Angeles.

OK, so it wasn’t exactly The Factory and the installation wasn’t quite Andy Warhol, but with the pop art on the walls, the groovy soundtrack and the uber-cool arty types draped across couches for art’s sake, it was enough of a Sienna-Miller-as-Edie-Sedgewick fashion moment for me!

Vibrant colours and plenty of teensy little dots made up the bulls-eyes, bullets, Twiggy and Audrey Hepburn inspired heroines and foxy afro prints adorning the walls – some images seemed familiar while others (my favourite being a long-haired girl driving a car) were fresh to the eye and left me asking the question, where can I get myself one of these?

The music had a fun, nostalgic vibe and had plenty of punters bopping about (many of them from the comfort of the big comfy white couches, like choreographed dancers in a film clip) and was inspiring a few singalongs to the lyrics – or perhaps that had more to do with the free-flowing champagne doing the rounds?

I have to say, not being a card-carrying member of the artsy squad in Ibiza – I’m more of a drop-in member myself – I wasn’t aware that the general dress code was all black, meaning my colourful sixties attire really stood out from the generic monochrome uniforms of everyone else.

But Miss W has always loved being in the spotlight, so who’s complaining?

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Art openings are always good for spotting geek-chic potential boyfriends and tonight was no exception. Think thick square glasses, skinny jeans, stripey t-shirts and floppy hair and you’ll know the type I mean!

THE BAD: The quality of sound in El Hotel was a tad too echo-y and tinny for Miss W’s ears – I felt like I almost had to shriek just to hold a conversation with my friends.

THE GOSSIP: Miss W knows of a few well-known Ibiza social types who didn’t make it to the opening, despite rsvp-ing in the affirmative. Luckily for them, the exhibition continues until March 11th so perhaps they could purchase a piece of art to make up for missing the fabulous fiesta?

Calçotada @ Ca n’Escandell: 21/02/09

2009-02-21T19:21:00.001+01:00

Contrary to popular belief, Miss W is not averse to getting her hands dirty. As much as I enjoy a manicure and a lavish dollop of hand cream whenever possible, there are occasions where I’m happy to muck in there and get amongst it. ‘Get amongst what?’ I can hear you thinking. Is it pottery? Gardening? Finger-painting perhaps?

No, this is something, had you explained it to me a week ago, I may have shied away from, however you live and learn, you shouldn’t knock it until you try it and I’m here to tell the tale.

I’ll just get on with it then, shall I?

On a gloriously sunny Saturday afternoon, Miss W and the White-ettes, with Little Miss Mini-White in tow headed to the rustic surrounds of San Juan Agroturismo Ca n’Escandell to sample a much-loved Catalan gastronomic tradition – the Calçotada.

Translating literally to Onion Feast, the calçotada is an homage to the succulent, lush and sweet green onions known as calçots, a cross between a leek and a spring onion, sporting long pale stems and ripe for the picking at the very end of winter.

Judging by the mouth-watering smell in the air, one could literally follow their nose to find where the action was taking place. Just past the pool was a l-o-n-g makeshift BBQ, where sizzling away on top were hundreds of bunches of calçots.

Once blackened to a crisp, each bunch was individually wrapped in newspaper, fish and chip style and taking their place on the grill was an assortment of meat and sausages. The combination of the delicious smell wafting through the air and the sun shining on her face left Miss W feeling like summer had already arrived.

Once we were seated, the friendly and informal style of dining meant grabbing your own parcel of calçots – and this is where getting messy begins – and digging in. After a quick demonstration, it was all systems go for the White-ettes, pinching the root of the charred onion to pull out the soft centre, dipping it in Romesco sauce (a tasty blend of roasted tomatoes, hot peppers, almonds, hazelnuts, vinegar, garlic, paprika and a lot of love according to Cristina Escandell) then tipping our heads back, taking aim and praying to the gods of fashion that it doesn’t end up all over your Miu Miu sweater! De-lish!

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: If you are spending the weekend at Ca n’Escandell, the Calçotada is included as part of your stay. Thankfully for the rest of the Ibiza population, the public is invited to join in the fun every Saturday from now until the onions run out in April.

THE BAD: On one charcoal encrusted hand, getting dirty is all part of the process. On the other, it wouldn’t hurt to have some bowls of lemon water on the table to help clean up afterwards and avoid accidental black smears all over your clothing and face!

THE GOSSIP: Miss W was afraid of having onion breath, however the sweetness of calçots means you don’t even need a tic-tac. However, vegetarians beware! While the onion part of this tradition is very veg-friendly, the following main course is purely carnivore based. Our advice? Skip straight to the dessert and the accompanying Cava and Café Caleta.

Valentine's Day in Ibiza: 14/02/09

2009-02-15T13:34:00.000+01:00

I’d like to start by saying it is totally not my fault I am unlucky in love. It’s not my fault that I have what can only be explained as extremely high standards for the guys that I meet to live up to or that so far, no one has managed to meet them. And it’s definitely not my fault that I believe in love at first sight, a love that lifts us up where we belong and that all we need is love.

Like most single girls around the world, Miss W blames all of the above entirely on her mother – who in turn has every right to pass the blame over to Walt Disney, seeing as I was brought up on a resounding chorus of ‘Some day my prince will come’ along with the firm fairytale belief that every girl grows up to get her very own happily ever after.

I should be so lucky!

So anyway here we are again, another loveless Valentine’s Day in Ibiza, where the postman is not beating a path to my door nor are the native blooms in danger of becoming extinct due to my extreme popularity. Hmmmm…

Thankfully for Miss W and her un-betrothed co-horts, it seems there is plenty of love to go around on V.Day in Ibiza. It may not be a candlelit table for two, however party-hopping by the light of a disco ball is every bit as desirable, especially when you know everyone at these parties will be single! From Grial’s Does Ya Mama Know… It’s Bloody Valentine’s Day, complete with gruesome black cats and charred roses and Be My Baby at Girlz Skool to a pre-club soiree at Pacha’s El Hotel, the Ibiza lonely hearts club were anything but this weekend.

However (for Miss W anyway) there was a distinct lack of potential boyfriend material in attendance at any of these events – only serving to remind me even more of my New Year’s Resolution (why oh why do I declare these things in such a public forum?) and the fact I am no closer to achieving it than I was on New Year’s Day! Lucky I have my friends, my social life and my island (oh, and of course my cats!) to keep me busy in the meantime…

I mean honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to make time for a Valentine’s date in my busy schedule anyway! Though between you and me, at this late stage any lost-in-the-post cards, gifts and marriage proposals may still be accepted…

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Despite the fact that there were no love interests on the horizon, Miss W still got a surprise visit from the Valentine Fairy in the form of a tailor-made card… Awwwww, friends are just the best, aren’t they?

THE BAD: Is it bad to feel pangs of envy when your friends are being showered with Agent Provocateur, weekend spa escapes at Aguas De Ibiza and even romantic proposals in sunny Mexico? I guess this is one time Miss W will have to settle for living vicariously through others…

THE GOSSIP: Is that the pitter-patter of tiny feet we can hear? At least, that’s what we suspect may be on the horizon for one of the island’s newly engaged couples, judging by the swift proposal and hasty wedding preparations…

07/02/09: Japanese Cultural Week wrap-up

2009-02-08T14:26:00.000+01:00

I’m turning Japanese, I think I’m turning Japanese, I really think so…

That’s the tune that’s been on high rotation in Miss W’s head this week, the second annual Japanese Cultural Week in Ibiza. The seven-day program dotted with kitsch events and quirky workshops was enough to make me dig out my finest kimono (well, kimono-inspired outfit anyway) and get involved.

Starting with a contemporary dance performance – Butoh is the official name and I guess the best way to describe it is as a Japanese modern ballet interpretation. It was certainly something we don’t see on the podiums at Pacha in the summer!

Next up, a Manga flick (I love the amazing animation, even if I can’t always follow the storyline) followed by master classes in sushi making at Ibiza hotspot, sushipoint. After two days of lessons, I think Miss W can safely say that she’d prefer to leave this particular art to the professionals.

Sadly, Friday night’s dance spectacular in the Dalt Vila Cathedral was rained out, which meant early doors at Grial for Does Ya Mama Know (‘We’ve got Japanese Friends!’ their gorgeous Geisha girl emblazoned flyer declared).

With beautiful oversized folding fans, paper lanterns and sprigs of almond blossom hanging from the roof, a dash (or four) of sake plus the rain-sodden performers (who at one point decided the actual bar was the perfect space to dance, instruments and all) Grial became Ibiza’s very own little Tokyo for the night.

The grand finale? The closing party at Pacha’s El Hotel, presented by HOVI VJ Club. A room that can sometimes appear a little clinical white space became a buzzing hive of full of TV screens and techie-looking equipment, churning out a fusion of music and super cool visuals, inspired by Japanese culture. By midnight, the bar was overflowing and Miss W thought it was the perfect time slip away unnanounced….

I mean, you wouldn’t want me to turn into an origami pumpkin would you?

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The chance to become completely immersed in another culture for a week, without even having to leave the island.
THE BAD: The crazy kooky weather the world has been experiencing this week has even affected ibiza, as we were hit with a week of unpredictable high winds and flash storms, which didn’t bear well for the outdoor events planned.
THE GOSSIP: The promotional flyer for the closing party spoke of inspiring Japanese fashion, however Miss W isn’t quite sure you could call the choice of matching head-to-toe red ensembles of audio visual producers FR4M3 particularly inspired. Even though the duo have recently returned form a trip to the place in question, we're pretty sure this is NOT a direct nod to the streets of Harajuku…

24/01/09: Rock Nights @ Somni

2009-01-25T02:45:00.000+01:00

When news of a Comic Book Heroes party in Ibiza broke tonight, Miss W was the first on the scene – disguised as a mild mannered reporter for a major metropolitan well, website – to bring you the scoop, in the name of truth, justice and the Ibiza way!

Rock Nights was the party and Ibiza’s all-new whiz-bang club Somni was the place to be and judging by the amount of super heroes milling around the Figueretes promenade, this was going to be a fancy-dress event to rival Bambuddha Grove’s Halloween extravaganza (and this time, Miss W arrived early enough to actually gain entrance).

A couple of super-sexy Wonder Women, some masked Avengers, a green-haired Joker, the obligatory Batman and (even better!) his sidekick Robin, a Zorro here and a Lara Croft there – and that was before we’d even stepped through the doorway!

Once inside Miss W was absolutely blown away, not only by the many plastic-gun toting villains in attendance, but also by the incredible décor adorning every inch the club. Somni had been morphed into a geek’s wildest dream - amazing oversized comic strips plastered the walls, a life-sized Batman silhouette dominated the DJ booth, iconic characters covered every wall, pillar and post and of course, cartoon graphics were on constant loop on the plasma television screens.

I tell you, if I hadn’t have known about the party, I would have been petrified I’d stumbled into a comic book convention by accident!

The dance floor was as full as a hot summer’s night, with a temperature to match – and let me just say, when there is that much spandex in one room, air conditioning is essential! At one point it resembled a rock concert, complete with moshing, jumping and singalongs to all your old favourites - think Depeche Mode and The Clash and you’ll get the animated picture.

For Miss W though, it was all about the amazing costumes – and discovering who was beneath the masks. A real live Mrs Emma Peel, Kill Bill’s Bride in all her yellow Lycra glory, Clark Kent with just a hint of the ‘S’ popping out of his shirt, an Incredible Hulk and enough slinky Catwomen to get the male population purring…

Don’t ask me who they were though - I can never reveal my sources…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Soooo much effort went into making this a truly unforgettable event –the costumes sported by guests and the spectacular themed décor - and it’s clear to see why this party is fast becoming the most anticipated monthly night this winter.
THE BAD: The biggest villains on the night had to be the bar staff – or lack therof. With a full-to-the-rafters club, just reaching the bar seemed like a challenge, however once you arrived, the challenge to actually get served had only just begun.
THE GOSSIP: Whispers on the day of the party centred around DJ Colin Peters, flying in from London for the occasion. Was his flight really delayed due to hurricane warnings in Palma? Were all ferry services suspended? Was this just another hoax? Was Super-Colin going to appear behind the decks to save the day? Sadly… the rumour mill proved to be true and Colin was nowhere to be seen. Guess Superman was too busy on the dance floor to come to his rescue!

16/01/09: Fish & Chip Friday @ Ocho

2009-01-16T20:16:00.002+01:00

Miss W loves a good tradition, however given the oft-unpredictable fast-paced-meets-laidback nature of Ibiza life, it can seem a little hard to come by – or to stick to. But now we’re in the thick of winter (in all its sunny glory) the opportunity to start a new tradition has presented itself and Miss W plans to be the first to embrace it.

The event in question? A time-honoured tradition all over the world and one the island residents are already quite adept at – that is, the long, lazy (and dare we say occasionally boozy) Friday afternoon lunch.

Today, the colourful and cosy surrounds of Ocho beckon, kick starting the weekend with a very special menu item that has stomachs growling and mouths watering at sunrise. Ladies and gentleman, welcome to… Fish and chip Friday!

From the minute I walked through the door – escorted by the ever so charming (and equally good looking!) Pacha posse – it felt like turning up to lunch at a friend’s villa. After a warm welcome from the gorgeous lady of the manor (or finca!) Leah Tilbury and Ocho’s adorable waiter Marco (who pulls off quirky-chic to perfection), we circled the three intimate rooms like a social soiree, saying hola to practically everyone we’d ever met. Looks like good news travels fast…

Now let’s get down to the matter of the food. Melt-in-your-mouth creamy battered fish, fresh buttery peas and quite possibly THE perfect potato chips accompanied by a creamy dill-rich tartare sauce courtesy of chefs de jour Miguel and Damien were being whizzed out to every table at a rapid rate - though Leah assures us this is due to demand and regular menu items are still on offer, should you feel the need to variate from the special. Though with fish and chips this good, I can’t imagine why anyone would?

After lunch it seemed a grown-up game of musical chairs was in session, as we proceeded to take places at other tables, chat over a glass of vino, occasionally switching tables or widening our circles to include newcomers – oh, and if you worried this all sounds a tad too local-centric, let me assure you, everyone is welcome and Miss W doesn’t bite! Particularly if you’re tall, dark, handsome and errr, single…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Friday. Fish. Chips. Need I say more? Oh wait – peas. See you next Friday!
THE BAD: The much hyped apple crumble was so popular it ran out before Miss W could give her verdict! Though my waistline would probably argue that skipping dessert is a good thing…
THE GOSSIP: The lovely Leah is heading off to London this weekend but it doesn’t mean we won’t still get the same warm reception next week – Miss W hears whispers that Leah’s vibrant mum (and well-known island personality) Patsy will be taking over the front-of-house reigns while she’s away…

07/01/09: Miss W’s 2009 New Year’s Resolutions

2009-01-07T16:45:00.000+01:00

In the spirit of starting the New Year on the right foot – though if you ask me when you are wearing the gorgeous new IBZcode boots I got for Christmas BOTH left and right feet are the right ones, if you know what I mean – Miss W has decided to publicly declare her New Year’s Resolutions. I figure, if I put them out there, I feel more of a responsibility to make them happen…

1. Detox. I do believe winter is the perfect time to detox, to purify, to get in shape and to really focus on your own personal holistic wellbeing. Does it sound like Miss W has come over all Gwyneth Paltrow-esque? You may laugh at my celebrity inspiration, but I’ll have you know that just because I don’t meditate on a daily basis doesn’t mean I’m not down with the teachings of the Dalai Lama! In 2009 I plan on practicing daily (well…. perhaps every second day!) yoga at the Ibiza Gran Open Spa, decked out in Stella McCartney’s über-luxe Adidas range of course, and indulging in a little Ayurvedic massage and a Panchakarma retreat (inspired by White’s very zen-like Wellbeing editor Larah Davis of Ibiza Retreats) and finally, changing my diet to include only organic produce. Breakfast, lunch or dinner at Parawdiso anyone?

2. Broaden my horizons. It has come to my attention lately that over the past few months Miss W has garnered a bit of a reputation for being a party girl, a term she finds slightly offensive. Social butterfly yes, party girl no. While I am not arguing that I do indeed spend a lot of time at fabulous events, I would like it known from hereon in that I have a brain AND a heart to go with my fantastic wardrobe. It’s easy to live life as though you are in a bubble in Ibiza, which is why I have made it my mission, Angelina-style, to volunteer for charity work (and yes, walking homeless dogs counts) and brush up on my knowledge of current world affairs whilst also mastering the Spanish language. Should make me a fascinating and highly sought-after guest next time the likes of Deliciously Sorted or The Shop are sending out invites to their ultra-excusive VIP events. Just don’t expect me to adopt any niños a lá
Ange – now that is a look that totally does not go with any of my outfits!

3. Take a holiday. You may or may not have noticed that Miss W has been on duty, reporting round-the-clock for the last 11 months or so – not an easy feat when everyone around you is on holiday! But then… I don’t want to abandon my post you see, plus wherever in the world would I go to? As the New Year dawned it finally occurred to me – very Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz style – that I needn’t look any further than my own backyard. Here in Ibiza we have absolutely anything and everything I would possibly want from a ‘mini-break’ – great shopping, amazing beaches, beautiful countryside, sensational restaurants and of course, amazing nightlife. So it is my solemn vow and promise, to start taking weekends away, ON the island, in 2009 – and checking out all the fabulous home-away-from-home style luxury getaways the island has on offer. Starting with Can Lluc, when the almond blossoms begin to bloom in the next few weeks and closely followed by a decadent spa weekend at the new five-star Aguas de Ibiza. I can hardly wait. I just need to find someone to share it all with, which leads me to…

4. Fall in love. There, I’ve said it. I’ve had enough of Potential Boyfriends, I’m tired of falling for – and having my heart broken by - Super Rats time and at long last I’m not even remotely interested in being a DJ groupie (with the exception of Luciano that is!). Miss W has decided she has spent enough time playing the field – realistically, it’s been the dance floor but you get my point – and thinks it’s high time she acquired an accessory of the more permanent variety, to display proudly on her arm at this summer’s soirees. And no, I’m not talking about the latest Miu Miu masterpiece from Mayurka (even though I do quite fancy that as well!) I am talking about taking the plunge and actually entering into the world of ‘serious relationships’. Though if that idea doesn’t work out for me I’ve always got my cats and my island to fall back on. Serious applicants, please apply asap in writing…

5. Find the perfect pad. Miss W already lives in a pretty cool place up in the ancient walls of Dalt Vila, however my contract ends October, which means I have the next nine months to get to know the property market inside out, discover locations that will truly suit me and my lifestyle and most importantly, find somewhere with a big enough closet to house my ever-expanding wardrobe. In my mind, I can already picture myself spending many a lazy Saturday afternoon shopping for interiors at KsaR, Sluiz and La Maison de L’Elephant – think zillions of candles, Moroccan lamops, exotic décor, a little bit of sparkle and eclectic furnishings. It’s Chateau Marmont meets Pikes Hotel with a little splash of the Gaansevoort for good measure. Can’t you just see me, lazing by my pool (in a Missoni bikini of course) beneath a huge white umbrella sipping mojitos? Now there’s just the little matter of stopping being frivolous and starting to save my euros that I need to consider… Should be a snap!

Ohhhh, choosing my top five resolutions for two thousand and wine, dine and mine was so difficult – it’s like asking a mother to pick a favourite child! So I can’t help but quickly whiz the runners up by you – in no particular order:

* Wear a completely different outfit each and every single day this summer.
* Radiate peace, love and happiness at all times.
* Always have fun and live like there’s no tomorrow.
* If I can’t say anything nice, I wont say anything at all…
* Become best friends with Kate Moss. Oh come on - girl’s gotta have at least one friend willing to lead her astray…

01/01/09: The Crunch presented by Shantico

2009-01-02T12:13:00.002+01:00

Umm-ing and ahhi-ng over whether or not to go to bed between parties is a traditional part of the New Year’s Day ritual in Ibiza. If you go to sleep, even just a cheeky disco nap for a few hours, will you lose your enthusiasm or miss out on some action? Or if you stay awake, will you fade too quickly at the after party and need to go home early? It’s an age-old conundrum and while I won’t disclose which decision Miss W made (a girl likes to have an air of mystery about her you know – and I ALWAYS love a costume change between events, sleep or no sleep, so you’ll never be able to tell!), I can say that at today’s special event there were a good portion of guests who looked incredibly fresh faced and others sipping on hair of the dog with a grimace…

The event in question? The debut of ‘The Crunch’, a party presented by all-round Ibiza legend and host-with-the-most Sid Shanti. Just when we thought parties beginning before dusk were a thing of the past (read: the good old days), came the announcement that this party – with the location remaining a secret until the day – would kick off at 1pm, bringing us together early to ensure the New Year spirit continued to sparkle for another day at least.

Guests were given directions to a parking lot off the beaten track and then transferred safely over to the venue – Sa Tasca, a traditional Spanish restaurant with huge garden areas, stunning views across the hills and out to sea, set on the road to San Jose. The sight of kids – and plenty of dogs - playing outdoors greeted us on arrival plus an assortment of early bird revelers making the most of the chance to hang outdoors in the fresh Ibiza air – very bohemian indeed.

The who’s who of local DJs were indoors providing the soundtrack, including We Love’s David Phillips, Wonderland’s Tomas Hedberg, Pacha’s Graham Sahara and a very special set from Ibiza Sonica’s Andy Wilson which had the entire dance floor full to capacity quite early on and the room steaming up with body heat – and when half the room is nursing a hangover, that is one feat to be proud of.

Overall, the event had that hedonistic feel of days gone by – the free-spirited vibe of an illegal rave, an impressive roll call of name-droppable guests (from the old school acid house crew to the high end social set and everyone of all ages in between) letting their hair down, a mix of musical styles - underground in one room and eclectic Balearic beats in the other and the overall feeling that you were part of something new, 100 per cent fun and completely true to the original spirit of Ibiza.

In some ways, I guess you had to be there – I’m so glad I was!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Attending 2009’s first daytime party of course! In the absence of the annual Circo Loco NYD bash, many islanders were left wondering whether they were indeed be having a well deserved sleep in for the first time in their lives come January 1st. Three cheers to Shantico for creating an all-new party to fill the gap in the market… and an extra cheer for making it a free event to all.
THE BAD: While a good party is not always judged by its appearance, Miss W has to admit that grubby plastic chairs, tables and even plastic flowers are not really the most aesthetically appealing décor…
THE GOSSIP: The cryptic nature of the propaganda for this party implied a brand spanking new venue in close proximity to town, however it turned out that a new equaled an old Ibicenco restaurant which was fresh to the party scene and the location of KM4 was actually if you were driving from San Antonio – from Ibiza town, it was in fact KM17.5 on the San Jose Road. A classic case of putting-us-off-the-scent until the last minute…

31/12/08: The 12 grapes of midnight…

2009-01-01T08:38:00.001+01:00

Well here we are at the dawn of a new year, the time when we should be sitting back and reflecting on the previous 12 months, planning, hoping and dreaming (or perhaps plotting and scheming!) about what’s to come and maybe even daydreaming about who it is we’ll be smooching at midnight – all the while reclining in a big comfy pedicure chair of course!

But rather than relaxing over a bit of buff and polish, Miss W found herself racing back and forth across Ibiza town trying to grab one essential last minute accessory for New Year’s Eve– a kilo of grapes.

No, this is not some new way to get shinier locks or a trick for sparkling skin and no, Miss W has not come over all DIY with plans to make her own homemade vino. This is in fact, one of the most important Spanish traditions of the evening, one it is essential to partake in – and that is the tradition of eating 12 grapes upon the 12 strokes of midnight.

You see tonight, Miss W has decided to try something she’s never done before – throwing her very own last minute soiree. An ultra-exclusive dinner party no less, for the White-ettes, a token White male and one very special Little Miss Mini White. I know, I know – there are so many fabulous restaurants to choose from in Ibiza, it’s New Year’s Eve and then I decide to go all Martha Stewart! Who’d have thought?

What can I say? Miss W has always been a little on the spontaneous side…

As we prepared to watch the fireworks over the port, each of us with 12 grapes ready in a glass, the cries of ‘Feliz Año Nuevo!’ began echoing over balconies and the church bells began to chime. Gulp (quite literally) – that means it’s time…

Have you ever tried eating 12 grapes in 60 seconds? On the seventh chime it became perfectly clear that none of us would be able to complete the task… Just between us, I didn't want to risk dripping grape juice on my new Kurru Kurru frock before leaving the house!

Then it was off to Pacha – who had thrown a very extravagant dinner in the restaurant prior to opening at 1am – where the main dance floor was heaving however it was upstairs in the Funky Room that reigned supreme. House classics, a dash of disco and a bunch of very fashionably dressed locals schmoozing and grooving their way through the first few hours of 2009.

Start the year as you plan to continue it, I say…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Seeing the party capital of the world kick back into action for a few days in the middle of the ‘off-season’ proves that it’s as much of a world class New Year’s Eve destination as any of the major cities around the globe.
THE BAD: Unlike the rest of the world, very few bars or clubs (in fact, no clubs at all!) are open for the stroke-of-midnight moment in Ibiza, meaning you need to be ultra prepared in advance to reserve yourself a table somewhere. Sadly, this doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity… OR the opportunity to kiss a random stranger at midnight!
THE GOSSIP: The throngs of eager clubbers lined up outside Pacha were equivalent to an FMIF party (albeit dressed in coats and scarves) at the peak of summer and even included a few, ‘But don’t you know who I am?’ moments on the guest list entrance. Looks like some things never change…

29/12/08: The White New Year Style Guide

2008-12-29T11:18:00.004+01:00

Five foolproof steps to dressing for New Year’s Eve – a method tried, tested and totally recommended by White Ibiza’s very own social butterfly Miss W…

1. Wow the room with your ensemble.
There’s nothing worse than turning up to a party to find another girl wearing The Same Fabulous Frock as you. Avoid such mortification at all costs by making your selection from the incredible collection on display at Kurru Kurru. The modern day equivalent of Cinderella’s ballgown, Marinela Cifteli has a showroom full of couture creations that will inspire gasps of envy from other guests when you dramatically remove your coat upon entering a room – from floor-length ethereal gowns to flirty and fun baby doll dresses, the choice is yours…

2. To accessorise or not to accessorise?
Oh, that is a silly question! One step down into the amazing space that houses IBZcode and you’ll be more than spoilt for choice when it comes to accessorising – you’ll be overwhelmed with desire! A one-stop shop for stunning handmade leather shoes and boots, luscious leather bags, eclectic jewellery selections and those ever essential sunglasses for the morning after, IBZcode is like the proverbial pot of gold (silver, bronze and diamonds) at the end of a rainbow, adding the perfect finishing touches to your outfit.

3. Cover up in style.
When you go to all that trouble dressing up for an occasion, it would be a shame to put it all to waste by covering with anything less-than-special – thankfully the amazing selection of coats, hats and scarves on offer at Histericomplements are designed to make as much a statement as your party frock. From sensational metallic macs and tactile rich woollen shrugs to floppy felt winter hats so great you’ll never want to take them off, it’s enough to make you want to spend more time travelling to and from your party destinations. Hailing a taxi has never been so glamourous.

4. Always have a back-up outfit.
Just because midnight heralds the dawn of the New Year, it certainly doesn’t mean the party is over. With plenty of party options scheduled for the first day of the year, it’s imperative you have your outfit planned before heading out the night before – after all, one can never make sensible ibiza fashion choices with a fuzzy head and you can guarantee there won’t be any stores open for impulse purchases on the day. A trip to Gisela G ensures yet another one-of-a-kind party look to impress your friends – whether you opt for cashmere, shimmering silk or a sparkling sequinned affair, one thing is for sure: the first New Year Ibiza style crisis is averted!

5. Plump that pout.
All girls know that hair and make-up is as an essential part of one’s ensemble and on no other occasion is the prepping of the lips more essential than New Year’s Eve, the one night of the year that it’s virtually impossible to avoid a bit of a kiss at midnight! Miss W’s personal view on hair and make-up is that less is more – I like the simplest of applications, just a dab of tinted moisturiser (foundation really only seems to make one look older, don’t you think?), a quick swipe of rosy pink blush, a rim of black kohl around the entire eye plus lashings of mascara. Finish with a slick of nude gloss – my personal favourite is ModelCo Liplights in Summer Nectar, a nifty little gloss that I generally refer to as my disco gloss (available in mainland Spain or on any jetsetting trip to the UK or Paris). Why? Well apart from the fact it’s an ultra glossy and long-lasting formula, it comes complete with a miniature mirror on the side of the tube and – here’s the best bit! – LED lights concealed inside the lid, to illuminate your lips as you touch up meaning no need to make multiple visits to the bathroom. And there’s nothing wrong with putting the spotlight on your pout if you ask Miss W!

Now the next step is to start thinking about just who is it you’re going to kiss at midnight - I know who I've got my eye on... Do you?

20/12/08: Cardamom Club Christmas Market & Party

2008-12-21T12:27:00.000+01:00

The festive period is starting to feel a little bit like the opening and closings to Miss W at the moment – seeing the same faces, the daily what-to-wear dilemma and that slightly fuzzy morning after feeling… But that’s what we love about living in Ibiza isn’t it? Well, apart from the fuzziness perhaps!

It’s also what keeps people coming back to the island, some to live permanently, some for annual holidays, some for monthly jaunts and some to celebrate the festive season, which is what the island collective were all doing this weekend, despite the fact that Santa – or Papa Noel as he’s known in Spain – hasn’t even started packing his sleigh yet. Kicking off the weekend’s proceedings was the annual Christmas market and soiree at our favourite Bollywood-meets-Ibiza haunt, The Cardamom Club in Santa Eulalia.

With Ibiza’s glorious sunshine high in the sky, Miss W and the White-ettes hit the road early in order to make the most of strolling around the gorgeous orchards and sitting in the courtyard devouring chef Craig Collligan’s divine Indian delights as if it were just another summer afternoon. Sadly for us, we weren’t the only people with this idea as the courtyard was already completely packed before we arrived!

Not one to let that dampen the shopping-meets-party spirit, we simply spent more time indulging in last minute Christmas treats – think homemade brownies, Florentines and sesame snaps, luxury crackers, those last important decorations for the tree, amazingly adorned cards and divine handmade jewellery – before moving indoors to take our place in the communal bar dining area with faces from many of the island’s most important establishments joining us – think Ibiza Rocks, Icon Ibiza, The Shop, Bacchus, Wonderland, We Love… and Pacha and you’ll realize it was a very busy space indeed!

As the afternoon turned into evening – and the chill quickly set in – all market stalls were packed away and the action moved indoors. With DJs Jo Mills and Tomas Hedberg providing the entertainment (an awesome opportunity for lucky guests to witness intimate sets from the island’s finest local talent) and every seat in the house full (and some with kids on their laps even!), Miss W couldn’t help but wonder how hostess with the mostess Navine managed to keep her cool all night – it’s a tough job when everybody knows your name and are all vying for your attention at once – so hats off to the hostess, we say!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Getting to see one of our favourite establishments really show us what they’re made of – to be able to simultaneously manage a market, live music in the courtyard, a busy bar, DJs and decks plus offer a full a la carte service in the peak of the festive season is a feat second to none. Cardamom Club crew, we salute you!
THE BAD: At one point in the afternoon, the kitchen actually ran out of food! While this was clearly good for business, it was bad for Miss W, who left without being able to indulge in all her favourite dishes before the kitchen – who seemed to barely have a spare second to breathe – got the chance to do further preparation. Oh well, all the more reason to return!
THE GOSSIP: Although Miss W went home at a relatively tame hour – a girl needs her beauty sleep this time of year you know – her spies say the party continued well into the morning hours before relocating to Aura. A good indication we think, as to which way the Cardamom Club’s New Year’s Eve bash may go…

12/12/08 Does Ya Mama Know? It’s cocktails at Grial…

2008-12-13T12:55:00.000+01:00

When two of the island’s most well-known and well respected residents-slash-professional-party girls (and I mean that in the best sense of the term – chances are they’ve had a hand in many of the best parties you’ve attended in Ibiza) decide to throw a winter soiree, it should come as no surprise that almost everyone on the island – plus a few very special flown-in-for-the-occasion guests – would be in attendance.

But do their Mamas know?

Given the ultra-sexy leopard print-meets-red fringing and feather boudoir style décor, smooth Bossanova sounds and ludicrously delicious cocktails on offer, Miss W would gamble her red Gucci stilettos that Mama doesn’t have a clue, and it’s probably better if it stays that way!

From the very respectable hour of 8pm tonight, the cocktail bar at Grial reopened for the winter season, complete with happy hour until 11 – practically unheard of in Ibiza – and a cocktail list packed full of classics that were a welcome alternative to overpriced spirits and lacklustre wines.

Of course, Miss W couldn’t go past a Cosmopolitan – all that cranberry juice has amazing anti-oxidant and detoxifying properties you know – and while initially I was a little upset to be served my drink in a wine glass rather than the oversized martini glass I’m used to, I had to eventually admit that the room was so busy it was probably better this way. Martini glasses are really only suited to sitting down at a bar, otherwise you slosh it all over the place at the slightest jostle. Unless you’re James Bond of course, but that’s another story…

From hoteliers (who finally get to surface now the high season is over) and property magnates (who say they are busier than ever despite the economic climate) to the dance music fraternity and some snap happy photographers, the mix of clientele was definitely 50/50 Spanish to English, always a sure sign that you’re onto a good thing on this island…

Breakfast At Tiffany’s was being projected onto the wall – a lovely visual to be entertained (not to mention fashionably inspired) by - and classic tunes piped through the bar while the hoi polloi and their hosts caught up and compared Christmas and New Year plans over a cocktail or three - Miss W overheard more than one group of revelers declaring how happy they were to find yet another winter watering hole to whet their whistles. Three cheers to that!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Happy hour. There’s a distinct lack of places to go in the limbo hours between eight and midnight (unless you’re happy to stay at a restaurant or a café) in Ibiza at the moment, and this night filled the gap to perfection. Not only that, but when cocktails are two for the price of one, it’s all the more reason to splash your cash on a round of Christmas Cosmopolitans for your mates, considering the credit crunch and all that jazz…
THE BAD: The smoke! I’m not usually one to complain if someone lights up beside me but the ventilation in Grial leaves a lot to be desired. I know the idea of a dim-lit smoke-filled jazzy bar is sexy, but in reality, it just makes your eyes sting and your throat hurt. Ouch.
THE GOSSIP: It was a little like Grial had revolving doors come midnight with the amount of comings and goings that were happening. Where did they all come from or where were they going? Was it Pacha? Bombay Lounge? Aura? Ocho? Or heavens forbid, bed? Either way, it was difficult to walk through Grial without seeing a familiar face, no matter what hour you were there.

06/12/08: Dreaming of a White Christmas…

2008-12-06T19:31:00.000+01:00

The first few days of December in Ibiza were a little wet and soggy, even included some snow, which by all accounts is extremely rare - but there’s something kind of magical about seeing the normally lush green countryside covered in white powder so the sudden chill was very welcome.

Speaking of magical, it’s the festive season where Ibiza really comes alive. ‘Whaaaaat?!’ I hear you exclaim, probably thinking there is enough life on the island during summer to last the entire year, however Miss W is here to inform you that Ibiza has done the equivalent of getting a haircut and splashing out on a new party frock, undergoing a makeover for the occasion.

A stroll through Ibiza town – and Santa Gertrudis, Jesus, Sant Jordi and Santa Eularia among other villages – shows off this amazing transformation. Every street, lamp post, square, park and even shop windows are adorned with the most amazing Christmas displays, from dazzling lights and striking trees to quaint decorations and markets aplenty. It’s enough to make you think you’ve stumbled across Santa’s hometown – or his holiday getaway at the very least!

Of course, being the shopaholic that I am, it was the markets that peaked my interest so the minute the weather cleared up – and you’ll be pleased to know it’s now all blue skies – I donned my festive finest and headed to Vara de Rey to get amongst the action.

It was the covered marquee, housing the most beautiful array of Christmas trees, decorations and lighting, which put the first dent in Miss W’s Fendi wallet, where I opted for a faux (but very lifelike) tree with gold and pink themed decs. Then it was onto some stocking filler-type goodies from the rows of mini-market stalls lining the square. Of course I can’t actually tell you what I bought or it wouldn’t be a surprise come Christmas day, but I just think knitted scarves, hand made trinkets, embossed leather belts and strings of pretty coloured lights and you’ll get the idea.

After indulging in some fairy floss, a hot dog and a Nutella crepe along with some Gluhwein (similar to mulled wine) from the stalls surrounding the kiddie fun fair, it was next stop, Las Dalias. The infamous hippy market throws open it’s wooden gates for winter, complete with decorations and festively themed gift ideas – the difference to summer is that the stalls are in indoors and with plenty of Gluhwein to go round, it was retail therapy indeed – in fact at one point, I must admit I got so into the spirit of shopping I seemed to have purchased more gifts for myself than those on my list.

Well, I had to make sure there’d be something under the tree for myself in case Santa decides I’ve been naughty…

MISS W’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST
1. The gorgeous bronze silk sports jacket in Kurru Kurru – the perfect lightweight accessory to throw over a little black dress or team with jeans.
2. A whimsical Morrocan tea set from KsaR – makes me feel all Alice In Wonderland and will inspire me to have a tea party.
3. Black Superfine jeans from reVolver – the perfect fit. And if they’re good enough for Kate Moss…
4. The amazingly soft over-the-knee grey suede boots in Histericomplements – flat, so ideal for dancing all night long on NYE.
5. A membership to the Gran Hotel’s Open Spa – all this winter food means Miss W really needs to practice some serious yoga.

29/11/08: Funky Party @ Pacha

2008-11-30T18:17:00.000+01:00

While the ever-so-slight chill in the air at the moment makes the idea of party-hopping seem less than desirable, we’re here to assure you there is one party hop in Ibiza that doesn’t require a scarf and coat between venues – and that’s the swift hop (across the road), skip (down the path) and jump (over the velvet rope) from Bombay Lounge to Pacha. Though if you’re looking for an opportunity to show off your new season’s wardrobe – a là Miss W – chances are you’ll don the winter warmers for the 30-second strut anyway.

After a bit of schmoozing with the hoi polloi at Kama Night, Miss W decided it was time to make the switch to Pacha’s Funky Party, where DJs Graham Sahara and Andy Baxter were bringing the sounds of the Funky Room – which has an incredibly huge cult following in summer – to the main room of the club for one night only.

As per the summer tradition, it was the small crowded space and stairs behind the DJ booth where the REAL action was taking place. Thankfully, Miss W’s special privileges apply all year round so she was there to witness firsthand the festivities.

From bottles of hierbas passing the lips of otherwise refined islanders and couples sneaking off up the darkened stairs for a reason I could never possibly guess - only to be sent back down in shame by the switched on security staff to a gaggle of glam girlies (or should we call them groupies?) dominating the space behind the booth, it was Pacha party central – no surprise given that one half of the DJ duo was celebrating his birthday and half the island had turned out to celebrate.

At 3am, the place experienced a surge of new partygoers (as nearby Bombay Lounge closed its doors I suspect) and the dance floor was packed. I took it upon myself to manoeuvre through the club more than once and can report that while it was a local-heavy crowd, the summer standards of frocking up had not fallen at all – Pacha is one of the only clubs that has a cloakroom and while it may not be needed in the warmer months, it sure is getting a workout these days.

THE GOOD: While the lengthy guest list queues of summer are no more, there is definitely a spectacle of sorts taking place outside the club – albeit an amazing spectacle. The famous palm trees that dominate the clubs exterior are now dripping with decorations – huge glowing red baubles hanging from the leaves and thousands of sparkling fairy lights adorning the trunks – Cherry Christmas indeed!
THE BAD: The amount of people who had promised to come and show their support and celebrate the birthday of their good friend DJ Andy Baxter that were no-shows on the night - you know who you are! Just because the previous night was rather extravagant on the party front doesn’t give you license to play hooky – plenty of others managed to perform for the double header.
THE GOSSIP: Miss W heard a whisper that the music wasn’t quite as ‘funky’ as the general style of the Funky Room in the summer and that at one point a certain man in a Very Big Hat - notorious for creating the original room – stepped behind the booth to have a quiet word in the DJs’ ears about getting back to their roots.

29/11/08 Kama Night @ Bombay Lounge

2008-11-30T15:50:00.003+01:00

When the news of a fledgling events company - born in Ibiza during the winter months rather than the slew that pop up throughout summer - promoting weekly parties in a venue that has undergone a recent, and may we say amazing renovation reached her ears, Miss W has to admit that her interest was peaked.

Within just a few short weeks, Sanskrit Events – the brainchild of Pacha Magazine ad-man Massimo Shadi Saab, inspired by Indian culture and driven by the Kama Sutra’s sultriness according to its promotional material – has gone from hosting one weekly party at the newly revamped Bombay Lounge to three. Thursdays give you Vatsyayana with Jazz Music, Fridays Funky Sutra being (as the name suggests) funky house flavoured and Saturdays play host to Kama Night – and tonight, Miss W was going to find out just what all that was about.

Upon entering Bombay Lounge, the first thing that struck me was what a modern and international appeal this place has gained with its makeover – a chic space decorated in multiple shades of rich and earthy warm brown tones, from lush leather couches and glossy wooden tabletops to pile upon pile of comfortable cushions and impressively regal columns. Add some strategically placed bronzed Buddhas, flattering soft lamps complemented by plenty of candlelight and a cosy fireplace and it looks like the new kid in town is certainly making a dramatic entrance.

Beyond the daybed style booths was the crowded bar area – it seems Ibiza’s locals don’t like to be restricted to just one booth, sofa or table, preferring to hop from group to group since everyone knew practically everyone and everyone who was anyone was here anyway – and the DJ booth, where island fave Angel Cielo was spinning some smooth house grooves with a constant smile on his face. No surprise given the reaction he was getting from the crowd, who seem quite enamoured of their new watering hole and its entertainment.

The good news for those girls who like to travel light on a night out is that Bombay closes at the incredibly tame hour of 3am, meaning there’s no need to pack your sunglasses… unless you head across the road to Pacha of course!

THE GOOD: The amazing transformation from the old Sante Fe to its current incarnation as Bombay Lounge – this is a bar that wouldn’t be out of place in any of the major cities around the world.
THE BAD: While the venue is notably attracting a good crowd, the quality of drinks being served didn’t quite live up to its glamorous surrounds or clientele. I don’t know about you, but Miss W certainly doesn’t like her vodka and tonic served in a jumbo-sized chunky glass without a straw and very little ice – or am I just being overly fussy?
THE GOSSIP: As the neighboring corner plays host to one of the island’s biggest high-glamour heavyweights – that’s right folks, Pacha is located directly opposite Bombay Lounge – one has to wonder how the competition will affect both venues. But then again, sometimes a little competition is healthy, don’t you think?

23/11/08: The Geisha - The Boat Charter Company

2008-11-23T20:33:00.001+01:00

Take one 18-metre sailboat, fitted with teak and adorned with striking black sails, add an incredible gourmet picnic spread made up of the finest Spanish wines, traditional ham, cheese and enough delectable canape style treats to tempt a pirate, then introduce the team of White-ettes, a couple of Token White Males and the wonderful crew of The Boat Charter Company (including a very cute co-captain of the canine variety) and you’ve got the makings for an amazing day of sailing in Ibiza.

Donning my very best nautical attire for a day on the high seas and remembering to pack a scarf and sunscreen because it does indeed get a little chilly despite the glorious sunshine, it was all aboard the good ship Geisha, the pride and joy of The Boat Charter Company. Really an incredible vessel, featuring three bedrooms plus a kitchen and living space for those who can’t bear to go onto dry land once the sun goes down – this is true luxury on the water and an afternoon experience Miss W is looking forward to indulging in more over the course of the coming winter months.

At the helm was captain Len Hall and hostess with the mostess Mandy Gregory, ready to prove that a drop in temperature does not mean a trip to Es Palmador and Formetera is any less cool! In fact, as we sailed out of Marina Botafoch and headed across to our neighboring islands, with the sun on our faces and slightly windswept hair, I couldn’t help but imagine how glamorous we looked as we sailed past those on ferries or smaller little boats. If you ask me, it was like a scene right out of a movie – and we all know Miss W would be casting herself in the lead role!

Of course, my co-stars were equally as glamorous – particularly one Token White Male who was very adept at assisting with sails and ropes while the girls simply gazed on in admiration (subtly and behind sunglasses of course – though they’ll probably deny it after the fact) and imagined him to be our very own pirate of the Mediterranean for the day.

The crystal clear waters sparkled with clarity and the tranquil beaches looked divine without the sun beds and umbrellas they’re peppered with in summer while all hands on deck seemed to be consistently be holding a glass of wine just to add to the ambience of our own personal movie set!

I don’t know if it was a case of sea legs or if the free-flowing vino tinto had anything to do with it, but Miss W certainly noticed more than one of the guests walking with a bit of a sailor worthy swagger once on dry land…

THE GOOD: Amazing winter weather makes for the perfect day of smooth sailing. Sure you won’t be diving off the boat for a swim (unless you’ve packed your wetsuit) but the gorgeously sunny conditions are perfect for smooth sailing, sightseeing and sipping on vino...
THE BAD: Daylight savings means the sun goes down earlier so you don’t get to experience as many hours on the water – unless you get up super early that is, and Miss W is definitely NOT a morning person!
THE GOSSIP: Miss W hears that the instant success of the new Ryanair direct flights from London and Milan to Ibiza means the demand for chartering weekend yacht trips in Ibiza is on the rise. While The Boat Charter Company has plenty of options available, there’s only one Geisha so we think you should make a reservation pronto!

15/11/08: Sushipoint Saturdays

2008-11-19T13:02:00.001+01:00

If you thought the action in Ibiza slowed down just because we’ve slipped into the colder half of the year, you obviously haven’t been party hopping with Miss W on a Saturday night yet.

While there were plenty of options on the plate for tonight, Miss W was most looking forward to heading over to Marina Botafoch for Sushipoint Saturdays. While the name itself doesn’t give too much away about the nature of the event – Is it dinner? Drinks? Dancing? – the fact those left on the island have been buzzing about it all week meant it was definitely the number one option on my dance (or drinks or dinner!) card tonight.

Inside the cosy and stylishly lit surrounds of Sushipoint I caught up with some friends I’d hardly had a chance to see since the closing of Space more than a month ago (as they say, time really does fly…) for the chance to sample the specialty sushi prepared lovingly and expertly by chef Pablo – who scored extra points at Miss W’s table on account of him being quite the hottie!

As we settled in and made our difficult choices from the special menu – three courses for a mere 20€ and all sounded spectacular – the room seemed to fill up within a flash. Seriously. Faster than Pablo can speed-slice sashimi, it seemed every table was full with a lot of über-chic types lingering at the bar and outdoors on the comfy sofas. With a cross-cultural and cosmopolitan crowd like this, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in New York or London. Thankfully for us, this was all happening in downtown central Ibiza. Well, slightly left-of-centre but you know what I’m talking about.

The atmosphere was that of a cool lounge bar, thanks to the fabulous early-evening stylings of DJ Olli Odd – think deep house meets chilled classics with an extra sprinkling of soft and melodic techno. By midnight, it was definitely a case of drinks and dancing taking precedence over the menu, as more and more guests arrived to fill up the cosy space and as Olli gave the music an up-tempo turn, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was ever going to come out from behind the DJ booth for a quick drink break to say the least. Nope – it seems the resident DJ is quite happy manning the decks for the duration of his party, as I saw him sneaking quick bites of sushi in between mixes – it could be said this is the Ibiza way to sing for your supper!

Dinner? Check. Drinks? Check. Dancing? Check mate! Now if only someone had warned Miss W she needed to keep her sunglasses tucked in her handbag, it could have made the taxi ride home more bearable.

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: It seems this side of the marina is where it’s at on the weekends in the winter, where it’s easy to nip back and forth from one venue to another – Sushipoint, Pacha and Kama Night at Bombay Lounge here we come!
THE BAD: Unfortunately for Miss W – who has a weakness for chocolate brownies – the sheer volume of people in attendance meant that the flustered-yet-incredibly-apologetic Sushipoint staff had trouble keeping up with the orders at our table, resulting in us missing dessert. While a complimentary bottle of wine was much–appreciated, I’m still craving that brownie…
THE GOSSIP: Whispers doing the island rounds at the moment are that the weekend Sushipoint soirees have been continuing well into the daylight hours – it’s lucky they serve breakfast then, we say!

07/11/08: Summing up the season

2008-11-07T11:20:00.000+01:00

So yet another summer has just passed us by – although passing by probably isn’t the right way to express it. Another summer has crashed headfirst into our lives, put on a spectacular performance and then danced on out again like the whirlwind it was.

Well, at least that’s how it was for Miss W anyway.

So how do I sum it up? A couple of parties here, a bit of clubbing there and a lot of nail polish, mascara and lip gloss (always a creamy nude thank you very much!) slicked on in between – not to mention sunscreen on those sultry summer afternoons on the beach! There have been many a faithful pair of boots and stilettos re-heeled after all the action on the dance floor and I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of fresh mint plants I have slaughtered in the name of a good mojito – for research purposes of course!

There’s been some talk in the White Ibiza Studio that perhaps Miss W should nominate some of her season highlights, like best DJ, favourite beach, favourite club night, best looking bartenders and the like – but you know, I just can’t play favourites with my babies (cough Luciano splutter Cala Jondal gulp We Love… Sundays erm Base Bar). It wouldn’t be fair, you know?

But what I can do is relive a few of my own personal highlights.

1. Bumping into Luciano (and flicking my hair accordingly) on the red carpet at Ocean Drive – in front of That Person Formerly Known As Potential Boyfriend. My finest hour indeed.

2. Dancing with Kate Moss in the makeshift VIP area at Space as The Chemical Brothers rocked the Discoteca at We Love… Sundays’ 10th birthday bash. Oh OK, I was just dancing NEXT to her. But it looks like we’re mates in the photos!

3. Inadvertently taking part in a protest along Vara De Rey against the closure of DC10 and other after-hours parties – the critics may have shunned it but I was totally having my very own Angelina Jolie-esque freedom fighter moment. Libertad!

4. Dancing on the sand at Groove Armada’s not-so-secret live concert at S’Estanyol – world-class production, sensational music and quite possibly one of the most spectacular locations on the island.

5. Welcoming a gorgeous little blue-eyed stripey kitten into my Ibiza family – the essential accessory to snuggle up to after any event. It’s not always about parties you know!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Summer. Ibiza. Is there anywhere else in the world I would rather would I rather be? Not a chance.
THE BAD: While the law is the law and if you’re not abiding by said law then it’s true you have to pay the penalties, Miss W was incredibly saddened about the closure of DC10. Those were the days…
THE GOSSIP: Of course, at the end of the season the gossip is always about who went well, who will survive, who is planning what for next year, but I have to say, the one thing that I am most interested in is the future fate of Manumission. Have they jumped ship from Amnesia? Will there even be a Manumission club night next year? Are Mike and Claire opening a burlesque restaurant after all? Will there be the long-awaited world tour? Only time will tell… and you can rest assured Miss W will be here to tell you all about it when the time comes.

31/10/08: Halloween, Ibiza style…

2008-11-01T21:47:00.003+01:00

Miss W would love to tell you all about the annual Bambuddha Grove Halloween party in Ibiza style. She’d love to tell you all about the amazing décor, from cobweb-encrusted ceilings to buddhas in hockey masks, oversized spiders hanging from the roof and skeletons in every corner. She’d love to talk about the amazing spookily-themed cocktails and how it was so busy it made getting to the bar quite a challenge. She’d love to talk about the special guest DJs and their amazing music getting the crowd on the makeshift dancefloor til the early hours of the morning.

And most of all, she’d love to tell you about the phenomenal effort made by every man, woman, child and even dog on the island to dress up for the Halloween occasion. From not one but two sets of Ghostbusters and many a gruesome fanged vampire – including one saucy schoolgirl vamp with a creepy matching vamp-esque dolly by her side – to skeletons, witches, warlocks, pirates, Bollywood babes, the Joker, a ladybird, KISS characters, a life-sized pumpkin, several Grim Reapers, a Tinkerbell and a couple of X-Men thrown in for good measure.

BUT! Sadly… Miss W can’t. She can tell you all of these things as hearsay – from Very Reliable Sources I might add – however when it came to the Halloween action, it seems Miss W’s Halloween was more of a trick than a treat.

Yes folks, tonight Miss W was off her game. By trying to spread myself thin and attend as many pre-Halloween bashes as possible, I’d opted to bypass the dinner part of the festivities at the Grove and just attend the ensuing party.

Big mistake. Big, big mistake. Big, big, biiiiiiig mistake – and I’m not afraid to admit it!

Why? Because by the time I had party-hopped my way around Ibiza Town – including an extended stop-off at Base Bar’s spooky special event – and then made my way up to the Grove, it seemed The Authorities (not content with just making Their Presence known throughout the summer) had intervened and pulled the plug. No amount of begging, pleading or phoning a friend could help Miss W get inside the party, and I guess I had no one to blame but myself. Not one to throw a ‘don’t-you-know-who-I-am?’ style tantrum, I simply hotfooted it over to Pacha, where all trick-or-treaters were welcome.

Apparently it was something to do with the venue being over capacity, as Bambuddha Grove really is a restaurant, not a bar. It seems a shame to end the season without even one exception being made to the rule, but them’s the brakes. Or are they?

They say rules are made to be broken, and if gossip is to be believed (see below), it looks like the guests of the party really got the last spooky laugh tonight…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Missing out on Bambuddha Grove didn’t mean the end of my Halloween – it simply meant I got the chance to check out the intimate Pacha winter set-up (along with all the other ghouls and goblins who missed out on a place inside the Grove) for the first time this season – and now I’m looking forward to spending a lot more quality weekend time on that dance floor.
THE BAD: Missing out on all the action of course! Looks like skipping dinner certainly didn’t do Miss W any favours on this occasion as it was definitely a case of first in, first served.
THE GOSSIP: Although the non-official word was that Bambuddha Grove had been closed down by the police – who had definitely made an appearance – and the doormen were certainly not letting any more guests inside, there are plenty of partygoers who will testify to the fact that the party went on until well after 4am.

25/10/08: Making new friends

2008-10-25T19:40:00.001+02:00

One of the best remedies to help deal with the sadness of bidding your friends farewell for another season in Ibiza is to make some new friends. Sometimes you’ll meet them at a party, other times in a bar, sometimes they’ll be friends of a friend and others may just turn up completely unexpected. For all you know, they could well be strolling along beside you as you walk through town.

The latter is exactly the way Miss W made her New Best Friend today. After a brief stroll through the slightly soggy Sant Jordi market this morning – a girl will cross any terrain to nab the type of amazing vintage silver earrings I picked up this morning – Miss W decided it was high time she spent a little less time shopping and a little more time socialising so she headed back to Ibiza Town, where all the action was taking place in Boulevard Matutes de Vila, the pedestrianised section of the new town.

Rather than cruise about the place chit-chatting to everyone, today Miss W took a more carefully considered approach to making new friends – she lingered around the outskirts, checking out the looks of everyone but it wasn’t too long before she was approached by a very big, dark and handsome type, in town on somewhat of a business trip.

He wandered right up to me, sniffed me – very forward don’t you think? - then seemed to nod his approval. Then his minder made me an offer I couldn’t refuse – not that Miss W is shallow or easy - and he was just so good looking I had to follow his lead.

My NBF, as you may have guessed by now is of the four-legged variety, a gorgeous-yet-homeless shepherd dog named Pelut, one of the many dogs in Ibiza living in a shelter and looking for a new home. Today marks the first ‘Day Of Responsible Adoption’, a promotion that takes these furry friends out of their cages and onto the streets, with the objection to place them in new homes, staffed completely by volunteer helpers and veterinarians.

There were big ones, small ones, teensy tiny baby ones, fluffy ones, scruffy ones, stray ones and even adorable old ancient ones – the only trouble was how do you pick which one? Thankfully Miss W’s NBF made her decision easy and chose her.

You’ve gotta love a dog with a nose for Marc Jacobs perfume!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: 17 of the dogs were successfully adopted out to new families today, a testament to the volunteer workers and veterinarians who worked to oversee the event all day. If you’re interested in helping out or adopting your very own perrito, head to www.ibiza4patas.com for further information.
THE BAD: Sadly, Miss W lives in an apartment with two bossy felines, which meant there was no way she could take Pelut home with her. The good news is, she can volunteer to walk him until he finds a new home, meaning her newfound friendship can continue.
THE GOSSIP: The ominous rainclouds overhead almost threatened to ruin the event (imagine that many soggy wet dogs trying to seduce new owners?) but the heavens must have been smiling on the dogs as it managed to stay dry until the end of the event.

19/10/08: A case of the Closing Party Blues

2008-10-19T20:48:00.000+02:00

Just yesterday I found myself wondering whether I could possibly attend another closing party. I mean, seriously, haven’t we been to enough already? Must we really keep saying goodbye? It seems Miss W has caught a serious case of the Closing Party Blues.

Of course it was only for a few minutes. Then I had a serious word to myself to help snap me out of my misery. I mean, why would anyone lament the fact there are so many reasons to go out, so many parties to attend, so many friends to see and so much fun to be had?

The source of Miss W’s CPB can be attributed to the fact that she doesn’t really understand why people would actually voluntarily CHOOSE to leave Ibiza. While she’s staying put on the beautiful white isle for a Fabulous Winter (and very happy about her decision thank you very much!), many of her wonderful friends will be leaving to go on fabulous adventures, experience new parts of the world, meet new people and party in different places.

And before you start thinking this is a case of the lonelies, envy or even just all about me, me, me, let me stop you right there. I totally respect my friends’ lifestyles and choices - after all, Ibiza is all about accepting one another for who we are, live and let live and all that – it’s just that I just want them all to live and let live in Ibiza to experience the seasonal differences!

You see the thing is, I know a secret. Want me to let you in on it? You sure? Promise you won’t tell a soul? Just between you and me, right? OK, here goes. Ibiza in the winter is even more spectacular – and more fun - than in the summer.

Yes, you read correctly. Come November, the island sheds her summer façade and becomes a veritable playground for those in the know. We have gorgeous weather, tranquil beaches, delectable gourmet restaurants, outdoor festivals aplenty, spectacular shopping, unique markets, stunning countryside, a thriving nightlife, intimate parties, thrilling romances (well, a girl can only hope!), a close-knit and like-minded community… I could go on and on forever. Don’t even get me started on Christmas and New Year – quite simply, it’s the best place I’ve ever spent the festive season in the world.

You’ll have to excuse me for sounding like a representative of the tourism board, but I love Ibiza so much, I want to share her with the world.

But please don’t all rush here at once will you? I need to get some sleep before all the fun starts…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The winter opening parties are just around the corner. These are undoubtedly the cure for CPB – and are just as exciting (if not more) than the summer openings. Stay tuned…
THE BAD: The tearful goodbyes of course – I’ll miss you all so much!
THE GOSSIP: The gossip at this time of year on the island is all about who is staying on the island… and just occasionally, how long they’ll last. Obviously Ibiza in the winter isn’t for everyone, otherwise it would be incredibly overcrowded all year long - it helps if you know the right people and have the right connections – thankfully, Miss W will be on hand to continue reporting on what’s going on where and with whom!

15/10/08: Underground Closing Party

2008-10-16T19:56:00.002+02:00

Congratulations residents and guests of Ibiza! We’ve reached the middle of October, we’re still in one piece and we still have more parties to attend. It seems the season is getting longer and longer… and Miss W doesn’t think that’s a bad thing.

Tonight marks a very important date on the Ibiza party calendar and that’s the closing party of San Rafael haunt, Underground. Ask many a long-time island resident where their favourite place to go out in Ibiza is and the answer is usually a resounding ‘Underground.’ Then there are those lucky tourists who stumble across the venue by accident who make a point of returning again and again.

Being a venue where you can sit in a corner entrenched in a deep and meaningful conversation or get lost in the thick of the (not-so-huge) dance floor or simply hang out at one of the bars bumping into everyone you’ve ever met on the island, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular place. Speaking of everyone I’ve ever met – well actually, it was more like speaking TO everyone I’ve ever met – they were all here tonight.

From my yoga teacher to my hypnotherapist, my favourite waiter and all those bartenders who’ve been dutifully crushing the mint and sugar in my mojitos all summer, the DJs who’ve been kept me dancing every night plus all my island friends and family, it was difficult to walk more than a metre without bumping face-first into your new best friend/long-lost cousin/ex-boyfriend’s sister’s roommate.

Even with her leg in a cast, one islander – who Miss W thinks must be the only person in the world who can make a broken leg look glamorous –set up camp in the heated courtyard. Now that’s dedication.

This was quite possibly the most crowded I’ve seen the Underground this summer which made it a little difficult to get a drink, a little difficult to get to the bathroom and a little difficult to find any space on the dance floor. But did I hear any complaints about this? None whatsoever!

A standing ovation must go to special guest DJ Valentino Kanzyani who – if you squint your eyes looks just a little like Luciano - along with Underground residents Justin Field and Don Juanito. At once point, Miss W couldn’t help but notice there seemed to be every single DJ on the island all crammed behind the booth at once – don’t these guys ever want a night off?

Thankfully for us, no they don’t!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Feeling safe in the knowledge that after a well earned break, Underground will be back to give the island’s winter residents one more reason to get out of the house.
THE BAD: On their website, they say ‘It’s not for everybody’, however Underground was so crowded that it felt like literally EVERYBODY who was still on the island was here tonight! So much for it remaining our little secret…
THE GOSSIP: While a lot of guests (Miss W included) left the premises at the respectable hour of 6am when the music was turned down and the lights turned up, a very reliable rumour has it Underground hosted a very exclusive on-premises after party which carried on until 1pm that day.

13/10/08: Circo Loco Closing Party @ Privilege

2008-10-14T09:32:00.001+02:00

There’s a been a bit of a sombre shadow cast over the island this week, noticeable when the words ‘DC10’ and ‘Circo Loco’ are mentioned. The two, intrinsically linked, have gone from being the absolute ethos of the Ibiza underground to summing up all that is negative in terms of changes made by The Authorities in an attempt to dampen the Ibiza party spirit.

Miss W has never really considered herself a freedom fighter, however when it comes down to it, after much careful consideration, she has decided to pledge her allegiance to the ‘Save DC10’ cause. I believe we should have the right to dance in the daytime, in the sunshine and the open air. I believe that venues should be regulated, of course, in an attempt to provide a safe environment in which to dance, however I feel by simply taking a venue away, the authorities are driving parties even further underground, into the unsafe and unregulated environments of villas, illegal sites and even apartments which are not equipped to deal with any emergency situations should one arise.

Now raise your right hand and repeat after me:

‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of Circo Loco at DC10 and to the Island of Ibiza for which it stands. One island under dance, indivisible, with Luciano and Tania for all.’

That being said, tonight could mark the end for the legendary party after ten years of incredible after hours shenanigans, influential and groundbreaking music and putting bigger smiles on dials than any other party to date. So rather than take their beloved venue’s one-year forced closure on the chin, the organisers of Circo Loco relocated tonight’s scheduled closing party to Privilege, taking up residence in the Coco Loco and La Vaca rooms.

Tonight it seems, the show must go on… While the venue had been replaced by her understudy, the stars of the show were still firmly in place. From the doormen to the bar staff, dancers and DJs alike, if you squinted hard enough (and imagined the walls of Privilege painted yellow), you could almost believe you were actually at DC10. Even moving between the two rooms of the club and their differing musical styles felt like the transition between the terrace and inside at DC10. Sigh…

While the numbers seemed a little down on the previous week – not surprising given many UK workers have headed home this week – the atmosphere was still as energetic, electric and enthusiastic as the opening party. It seems in the eyes of those present, Circo Loco never dies.

From 6pm to a-l-m-o-s-t- 6.30am, doom and gloom was forgotten and the business of partying was the name of the game. Miss W discovered there is life beyond Luciano – the Romanian duo of Pedro and Rhadoo had me swooning for the final two hours of the party – and you KNOW I’m talking about their music, right?

When it came time for the final curtain call, the last bows and the standing ovation, it was a bittersweet affair – happiness at having pulled off one final renegade party and sadness that this may be the very last time the Circo Loco flag flies in Ibiza.

I have my fingers, toes and even my hair crossed that it’s not.

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Circo Loco founders agreeing to throw one last party in a new venue, despite the fact promoter Andrea Pelino has publicly declared ‘There is no Circo Loco without DC10.’ Why? According to a statement on their website, the decision to move the party to Privilege tonight (as with the previous week’s party) was due to an overwhelming response from the public and out of respect for the many people who had booked flights and accommodation specifically this party and for the residents of Ibiza – and for this bold move, Miss W says a huge R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to the Circo Loco crew!
THE BAD: Is the party really over? Is this really, really well and truly the end of an Ibiza era? I know they say all good things come to an end, but Miss W – and the rest of the party-going population – just isn’t ready to let this one go yet. Feel the same? Fight for your right to party and send your opinions to protocol@santjoseptalaia.cat and let’s see if together we can make a difference.
THE GOSSIP: It’s a well-documented fact that Miss W is quite possibly Luciano’s biggest fan so it’s no surprise that gossip regarding the Chilean superstar DJs movements make their way to her ears. Today’s big gossip? That in the absence of Circo Loco next summer, Luciano will commence a new residency at Pacha – news which has come to Miss W from TWO Very Reliable Sources. Hmmm. Let’s wait and see what happens in 2009…

12/10/08: Atzaro Summer Closing Party

2008-10-12T22:12:00.001+02:00

Depsite last night’s antics (err, and the night before!), Miss W managed to get out of bed at a reasonable hour today as she had vowed to take her visiting friends on a tour of the island that didn’t involve night clubs, however the ominous rainclouds and accompanying sprinkles seemed to be doing their best to thwart her best laid plans.

Starting with lunch at Café Benirras – squid to die for and roast chicken that would be at home in a five-star ibiza restaurant – and a quick stroll on the sand, it was then onto the Hotel Hacienda for a sunset cocktail or two. Sadly, the sunset was not meant to be as the aforementioned clouds completely shrouded the skyline. While the icy wind stopped us from sitting on the striking deck in full view of the incredible Na Xamena cliffface, it didn’t stop us from making the most of the classic cocktail menu and feeling as though we were movie stars in disguise in the ultra luxurious settings of the hotel’s bar and restaurant. If only!

Once we were certain the rain had done its dash, it was next stop, Atzaro. While the hotel and spa remain open until the end of November, today was a special occasion for the venue to bid farewell and say thank you to those who are leaving the island before then.

Offering a buffet-style Sunday roast (gone was the open air seating, though the inside of the restaurant itself looked quite empty) there was the distinct feeling that winter had begun to set in despite the humidity in the air, which made Atzaro’s special ‘Wine Corner’ look all the more appealing – looks like vino tinto season is definitely upon us.

With a slightly older and more selective crowd than last night’s fiesta, there was a family vibe about the event with babies, toddlers, kids, teens and even dogs present. Speaking of which – and I mean kids not dogs – have you ever noticed how every single child in Ibiza seems to be blessed with incredibly good looks? I’m certainly not clucky but it seems to me that the Ibiza gene pool is the ideal environment to wade in if you want your brood to be Ibiza’s Next Top Models.

DJ Jon Sa Trinxa was on hand to provide the musical soundtrack, which seemed a little more classic rock and roll than the chillout the venue is known for – think Jimi Hendrix and AC/DC bootlegs pleasing the parents, if not the kids anyway.

As we left Atzaro tonight, I was absolutely blown away by the spectacular hanging light display from a pagoda as you enter the venue (I had walked in though reception so missed it the first time around). I suspect this could be the handiwork of the ultra-talented Roseline De Thelin – do you think they’ll let me borrow it for my balcony while the hotel is closed for winter?

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The fact it’s still nice enough to sit outdoors enjoying a wine without having to get too rugged up just yet. A light scarf or jacket is honestly all you need for now… surely another great boost for winter tourism if venues continue to extend their seasons next year.
THE BAD: Events like these would do well to be clearly signposted – as you enter the sprawling venue (unless you’ve been there many times before like Miss W) it can be difficult to work out where to go or even who to ask, let alone find the right bar or restaurant area. Just a thought for next season…
THE GOSSIP: Where were all the people? This was definitely one of Atzaro’s more quiet events and although it could be put down to the poor weather, Miss W couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps the end-of-season hangovers had actually finally started to set in for the island’s party people?

11/10/08: KM5 Closing Party

2008-10-12T09:40:00.000+02:00

Miss W was convinced it would be freezing cold under the stars tonight when she started to get ready for one of the most highly anticipated end-of-season events in Ibiza, the annual KM5 closing party. But what she forgot to bank on was the fact that each and every person remaining on the island would be in attendance, meaning the body warmth alone would more than make up for the fact there was a slight chill in the air.

Bad wardrobe choices aside – well actually it was a great wardrobe choice to tell you the truth, just not entirely appropriate given the circumstances – from the very minute my car was directed away from the KM5 car park and about half a kilometre down the road to park, it was clear that that this was going to be a very busy soiree indeed.

Whizzing through the gallery and briefly stopping to try a few things on for size in the boutique, the dance floor was the next stop where DJ Graham Sahara was already living up to the reputation he earned for himself at last year’s closing party – that is, for playing the best set of his life, with a packed and grooving dance floor to prove it. Alongside him were the FR4M3 VJs providing visual effects however Miss W had to admit that she wasn’t really looking at anything other than the many beautiful people on show!

Once outside, it was more of a milling-around-and-chatting type crowd – you know the type, ‘How was your summer? What are you up to in the winter? When are you leaving the island?’ Before repeating herself a hundred times for the second time in two days (‘Summer was amazing! Staying on the island for winter of course. I would never dream of leaving – things are just getting started!’) Miss W grabbed the White-ettes and headed straight for the bar – a girl can’t make possibly small talk without one of KM5’s divine mojitos to help loosen her lips.

It was nice to notice many of the club’s staff, security, managers and promoters – think Pacha, Space, Underground, Es Vive and more - finally out and about and making the most of the last days of the season- Miss W has often wondered whether these guys preferred to simply chill after the clubs have closed or are ready and waiting to spring into action on the other side of the bar. Looks like it was the latter.

As the clock struck three, KM5 literally turned from a lovely chilled bar into a crazy club in seconds – from people whistling and cheering each time a new song was played to the chaos of trying to make the move from inside to outdoors (it reminded Miss W of trying to move from the terrace to inside at DC10 at one stage – hectic indeed), incredibly long and arduous bathroom queues and virtually no chance of getting table service as the bar was so mobbed. Thankfully the specially created VIP areas were comfortable AND well looked after, a credit to the staff as managing to carry a tray of cocktails through this crowd was more than a feat, it was a miracle.

There were no sightings of Miss W’s new crush at KM5 tonight however it didn’t stop That Person Formerly Known As Semi-Boyfriend from popping into in my periphery view – looking very much the suave man about town - no matter where I chose to mingle, making Miss W wonder whether she’d made the right decision when choosing to end their relations. So of course rather than behave like a grown-up, I made a swift exit without saying goodbye and spent the rest of the night umming and ahhing over the lack of romance in my life. To be continued…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: It seems that hangovers just don’t exist in Ibiza, as every single person I’d seen indulging last night at Aura was experiencing a case of Groundhog Day and doing it all again tonight at KM5! Whether it’s something in the bottled water, something we can attribute to the magical energy of the island or simply just hair of the dog, one thing’s for sure – the residents of this island could win an Olympic gold medal for stamina hands down.
THE BAD: Discovering about half a dozen different fashion items in the boutique – including a hot pair of studded heels, a gorgeous cream leather cuff and a hippie-esque satchel with an embossed red stone love heart bag -that I seriously HAVE to have. What’s so bad about that? Well, manoeuvring a bunch of shopping bags through the hectic crowd and on the dance floor just isn’t Miss W’s style so I didn’t snap them up at the time, but now the store has closed for the season, I just can’t stop lusting after them! Waaah!
THE GOSSIP: It’s probably here that I should note: in Ibiza, even when your six inch heels dictate how far you can actually walk to reach your destination, it’s always wise to find a legal parking space as Miss W noticed the Grua (that’s the tow truck) and Policia working hand in hand tonight to generate as much revenue as possible by towing away every vehicle that was illegally parked. It’s just not worth the hassle – get dropped off at the door to avoid foot injuries and let your designated driver do the walking!

10/10/08: Danz Closing Party @ Aura

2008-10-11T21:12:00.000+02:00

It only feels like five minutes ago that Miss W was waxing lyrical about the amazing renovations that happened over the winter at Aura… and here we are now, saying sayonara to the summer season of their Friday night special Danz. Wow.

Wanting to make the most of the whole experience, Miss W rounded up a group of White-ettes and island friends to head in to the venue early, taste the much talked about tapas and get into the spirit from start to finish, which is how she found herself sat at a beautiful candlelit round table on the terrace with her closest friends, talking for hours about the season wrap ups and the very few parties that were still on the agenda.

The thing about sitting at one of the cosy outdoor tables, complete with standing heaters to avoid the oncoming chill is that it’s just so comfy you never ever want to leave. But after about two hours of intense conversation, I realised that there was actually a major party taking place inside and thought perhaps it was time to mingle… and headed indoors accordingly.

It never ceases to amaze me the way Aura has the ability to practically become a nightclub after dinner and tonight the soundtrack came courtesy of Ibiza Sonica’s Andy Wilson. A dance floor high point? The mega Trompeta by Sis, a track that practically defines the Ibiza summer and had the crowd grooving and moving like it was a major club. Just when you thought it was safe to think clubbing was over for the season…

As usual on a Friday night at Aura, everyone who is anyone was there – club promoters, publicity mega-managers, art dealers, international and local DJs, party planners, concierge queens, marketing gurus, restaurant managers, visiting diplomats... Oh alright, the diplomat part may be a slight exaggeration but you get my drift. This was THE place to be tonight.

And Miss W and the White-ettes were on hand to get all the gossip – both on and off the record. Stay tuned for further updates before Aura officially closes its doors for the summer – there’s still at least another week plus Miss W hears Team Aura are contemplating staying open on weekends until Christmas.

What else can I say? Yes please!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The mixologists, as always. Miss W couldn’t help but notice how the two exceptionally good looking bar staff (aren’t they always at Aura?) seemed to have the perfect aesthetic balance, one with short hair, one with long hair, one shaking, one stirring – was this a cleverly executed
THE BAD: While Miss W isn’t one to complain if a menu item isn’t what she expected – you win some you lose some right? – she has to admit, when three out of four dishes don’t really live up to expectations, perhaps there’s an issue or two in the kitchen? Perhaps it can be blamed on the overwhelming amount of patrons turning up in droves and placing extra stress on the kitchen?
THE GOSSIP: Spotted wheeling and dealing on Aura terrace was the combination of one of the island’s most notorious promoters and a very well known local identity, rumoured to soon be opening his own venue. While Miss W would never name names, this is surely a killer combination to look out for next summer.

10/10/08: Café Mambo Closing Party

2008-10-11T09:29:00.000+02:00

An ominous looking sky wasn’t enough to hold back the celebrations at Café Mambo tonight, as the crew, residents, workers and faithful patrons gathered together one last time before the beautifully mosaic-ed doors were officially nailed shut (or at least, boarded up and fenced off) at the end of another very successful season for what is perhaps the island’s most legendary sunset bar.

With special guest Jose Padilla – dubbed ‘godfather of the sunset session’ by Team mambo - there to kick off the sunset proceedings, the party began in the traditional chillout style it’s known for. Clapping off the sunset has become nothing less than a nightly Mambo tradition and tonight was no exception – though the sunset itself left a lot to be desired thanks to the low cloud cover and mist.

Well, the Café Mambo family may be able to control many things when it comes to throwing a fabulous closing party, but the weather isn’t one of them!
Pacha and El Ayoun resident Angel Linde continued the musical journey as the night began to settle, followed by the Mambo residents themselves, the boys responsible for setting the ambient mood all summer long, Alex Wolfenden and Jason Bye – sadly for us (but not for him!) Andy Baxter wasn’t on deck duty tonight as he was busy taking part in a Pacha tour of Brazil however the boys were joined by Dan Ward aka Negghead, no stranger to the Mambo DJ booth himself.

From the minute the boys began their back-to-back bonanza it was clear the chill out vibe was over and the party had well and truly begun. Spotted getting their groove on by the booth? The Mambo boys (as they’ve come to be known as) Alan and Christian plus head honcho Javier, Pacha’s Danny Whittle and his team and those Manumission and Cocoon dancers still on the island, all soaking up the vibe.

At one point the soundtrack took a turn for the cheesier when a certain Mambo manager began making requests and got even more err, shall we say, interesting when the person in question jumped behind the booth and began mixing themselves.

Thankfully, Alex and Dan returned to save the day – or more appropriately night, as it was 2am – and kept the eager crowd going until the very last cerveza was poured… and drunk of course.

Miss W has to wonder though, are all these people aware that the sun actually continues to set even though Café Mambo is closed?

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Over the past few years Miss W has noticed the vibe at Mambo just getting better and better and tonight it really showed with the loyal crowd remaining on the premises right up until closing time.
THE BAD: Finding the right place to linger proved a little difficult for Miss W as it after dark it was freezing outside yet very cosy, warm and perhaps just a little too humid indoors. Here comes the drama of trans-seasonal dressing again.
THE GOSSIP: The police turned up at one point – for no apparent reason – causing whispers through the crowd of a potential shut down or noise pollution fine but Mss W can report it was nothing of the sort. The lovely law enforcement boys were simply enjoying the atmosphere and the view for themselves.

06/10/08: El Ayoun Closing Party

2008-10-07T18:47:00.004+02:00

Is anyone else sick and tired of having to wear wristbands that declare their right to party in Ibiza or is it just Miss W? I mean, I totally see the point but quite often the bold colours really just don’t match my outfit and the sharp plastic edges tend to snag my clothes. So tonight as I reached the teensy tiny entrance to El Ayoun, I must admit I was totally thrilled at the fact the wristbands were at least slimline and black – totally in keeping with the Rock Chic dress code.

A strictly invite only affair, El Ayoun’s closing is renowned as one of the best parties of the season and after today’s bad news that DC10 had indeed been closed for one year by the authorities, the blow was softened a little for many people upon hearing that tonight’s special guest DJ at El Ayoun would be none other than Circo Loco (and Miss W’s) fave Luciano. Judging by the amount of people milling about outside the venue and trying to talk their way inside, not to mention the crammed dance floor, packed terrace and busy bars, this was a draw card that seemed to turn tonight’s closing party into one of THE events of the century.

With the entire terrace and restaurant cleared of tables, it was clear from the minute I stepped inside that this was set to be one enormous party indeed. We managed to shimmy our way through the heaving dance floor of Privado to check out the swish sushi lounge only to discover that GASP! It had been turned into a super-exclusive VIP area not even Miss W was allowed access to. Humph...

My consolation prize? The doorway to the sushi lounge is situated directly behind the DJ booth, where the ever-so-gorgeous Luciano was already well and truly into his set and to be honest, when I took a step forward I felt like I was literally standing in the booth with him. Sigh… I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If only he wasn’t a happily married man…

But I digress! Once Miss W managed to drag herself away from pole position beside the decks, it was the business of people watching that had her attention. And if you couldn’t indulge in a good spot of people watching tonight at El Ayoun, well then I think you must have been blind!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: People watching of course! From Ibiza's infamous Pippi the Panda Lady, resplendent in her gowns and with white teddy bear in to Cocoon dancers, local socialites, a gaggle of superstar DJs including Dan Ghenacia, Pedro and Steve Lawler, the gorgeous Base Bar and Es Vive crew and the eclectic French jet-set, tonight had more eye candy than a day at Blue Marlin - wow! Even That Person Formerly Known As Semi-Boyfriend was there - well, even I have to admit he's still cute...
THE BAD: While Miss W was actually the designated driver tonight (a girl’s got to help out her friends every once in a while) it didn’t stop tales of ruthless bartending reaching her ears – refusing to serve anyone they didn’t recognise, spending more time talking than serving and even keeping change before it had the chance to be offered as a tip. It may be the last party guys but it’s certainly not the time to lower El Ayoun’s normally very high standards – last impressions are as important as first ones in my book.
THE GOSSIP: If one thing can be said for Luciano, it’s that he’s a certainly superb party DJ. But just how far into his record bag did he have to dig to please a crowd of whom probably 70 per cent had never been on a DC10 or Cocoon dance floor in their lives? Blackwater? Show Me Love? God Made Me Funky? While Luciano’s made a name for himself adding 70s, 80s and 90s acapellas over his mixes, Miss W couldn’t help but wonder if the singalong ‘greatest hits’ style finale of his set tonight was a little TOO reminiscent of a school disco?

03/10/08: Space Closing Party

2008-10-04T13:05:00.001+02:00

You know one of the (many) things I love about Ibiza is that you can potentially go to the same club, seven nights in a row and have a completely different experience each time. But after a season of indulging in such behaviour on a nightly basis, even I have to admit that it starts to get just a little same old same old after 18 weeks, give or take a few.

But the Space closing party is a completely different kettle of fish, or dance floor of clubbers or whatever metaphor you’d like to insert here. Forget décor and DJs – today (and tonight) is all about dance floor. One huge, gigantic, colossal, mammoth, enormous, epic dance floor. As was the case with the opening, the Space car park ditches its regular look of asphalt and vehicles in favour of stages, bars, DJs, dancers and of course, an 18 000 person capacity dance floor.

So it comes as no surprise that the Space Closing is the hottest ticket in town this week and when the rainclouds that had been lingering over Ibiza town for the past few days seemed to magically clear as Space threw open its doors at the special time of 12pm, Miss W had to wonder whether the powers that be at Space had sold their soul in order to guarantee the perfect party.

The blue skies and warm weather ensured the car park filled up fast, as people made the most of their last chance to dance in one of the world’s best clubs – for eight more months at least. The Space Closing is also traditionally the one day of the year that pretty much each and every worker on the island (except the Space staff, obviously!) is given the day off and encouraged to party. It’s also the last time many of them will see each other, as island numbers start dwindling from tomorrow, so it’s like a giant farewell of sorts and there were so many Ibiza faces on hand, I'm not even going to begin to try and list them!

With a line-up to end all line-ups – and by this I mean the who’s who of every club on the island, not just those who’ve played at Space – there was something for everyone, from the most die-hard minimal tech fan to those who love funky vocals or old school classic progressive style. Miss W has to give big props to Steve Lawler, who wowed the car park with an electrifying set, despite the fact he had a troupe of dancers dressed in gorilla costumes dancing beneath him at one point – surely a big distraction!

Though Miss W was given one of the rare access all areas wristbands meaning she could hang out behind the DJ booth or to the side of the stage, today she decided to get among the thick of things, front and centre of the outdoor dance floor – I mean, that’s what clubbing is all about isn’t it? While it’s nice to get preferential treatment and rub shoulders with the VIPs and artists, sometimes you just can’t beat a proper eight hour rave session with your pals…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The amazing live displays from Ibiza performance group – and Space regulars - Foc I Fum. Moving amongst the dance floor as well as on stage and in the air, it was such a refreshing change to have something to watch other than lasers. We loved the adorable elves with their glittering heart padlock and the cute bear who performed aerial tricks on a BMX – not sure how fitting this is for a nightclub but regardless, it worked a treat!
THE BAD: While Miss W doesn’t want to badmouth a certain DJ who recently won the award for best international DJ in his category, she has to wonder about whether he may have been slightly ‘off’ tonight? The makeshift mega-dance floor in Space’s car park seemed to suddenly clear out after about 15 minutes of banging, raucous music after a mind-blowing set from the previous DJ. Hmmm… or maybe he just wasn’t in his element?
THE GOSSIP: There were hushed whispers amongst the Space Closing veterans that numbers were down on previous years (although it still felt incredibly crowded to Miss W), blaming it on the fact the mammoth Amnesia closing had continued until after three in the afternoon, a week after it’s original scheduled date, meaning there weren’t as many fresh-faced punters fronting up at Space’s doors upon opening.

28/09/08: We Love Closing party

2008-09-30T14:25:00.000+02:00

It feels a little bit like ‘another one bites the dust’ each time I leave the house at the moment. I mean seriously, how many more times can we say goodbye? But tonight marks a pretty important closing milestone in the Ibiza clubbing calendar, and that is the night we say adios (for another season at least) to We Love… Sundays at Space.

This is the party that pretty much everyone who visits Ibiza makes a beeline for, the party people plan their holidays around, the party that is like a mini-festival every Sunday and the party that Miss W has been in attendance at every single week this year. And now it’s all come to an end…

But before Miss W starts getting all nostalgic, let’s talk about the party itself shall we?

With a huge line-up including We Love stalwarts James Zabiela and Nic Fanciulli playing back to back, deep house legend Ben Watt, master of techno ceremonies Jeff Mills and Balearic genius Alfredo, it’s no surprise that the queues outside the club were lengthy in the early hours of operation – thankfully Miss W was whisked in the side door to avoid her extra special party frock getting crumpled!

The sunset terrace, as always, was full of happy, smiling Ibiza faces (and I mean on the dance floor, not the ones hanging from the roof) and long-time residents Jonathan Ulysses and Jason Bye recieved a hugely appreciative reception as they churned out quality arms-in-the-air house music as the sun went down over the club.

The discoteca was a similar story – filling up very early to the sounds of resident David Phillips – remaining packed until the very last notes of music echoed from the booth. On the inside terraza glitter and confetti was being sprayed on the eager crowd who couldn’t have been more excitable if they tried.

For Miss W, it was hard to choose which room to spend the most time in, as all were boasting fantastic programming. In the end, it was the discoteca, where the who’s who of Ibiza clubbing were gathered behind the DJ booth to get their last dose of We Love before the season’s out.

Speaking of the who’s who of Ibiza clubbing, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Miss W seems to have developed a new crush on a Certain Boy… Bet you can’t guess who – and I’ll never tell…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: We Love had been running a ‘Fresh Blood’ competition all summer to unearth some hot new DJ talent and Mark Murphy was the well-deserved winner and was rewarded with an opening set on the new terraza. Three cheers to We Love for taking a risk on a newcomer on one of the biggest nights of the year – keep your eyes peeled for this talented DJ in the future.
THE BAD: Seeing the Certain Boy dancing extremely closely with Another Girl – it seems all the good ones are taken no matter where you live in the world these days!
THE GOSSIP: Pete Tong was spotted by the DJ booth watching DJ Hell perform his disco set and when a We Love staffer was overheard apologising for the lack of free drinks tickets on offer, the superstar DJ replied ‘I think I can afford to pay for some drinks myself.’ Hear hear… it’s a refreshing change to many of the other guests in the booth we suspect!

27/09/08: Groove Armada Live Concert @ S’Estanyol

2008-09-27T23:56:00.000+02:00

Only a matter of hours after we’d bade farewell to Wonderland, a special text message arrived in Miss W’s inbox declaring that the party was not yet over for Groove Armada, who would be performing a very special one-off concert at one of my favourite places on the island, S’Estanyol.

Oh well - no rest for the wicked right?

Miss W has to hand to it to the crew from The Shop, who – after successfully closing the Wonderland season at Eden – managed to pull off organising the full-scale Groove Armada live band, stage show (lasers and all) right on the beach, and managed to keep it a secret until now. Credit where credit’s due… and a round of applause is certainly due here.

From the minute I arrived, I have to admit I was über-impressed. Although we had to leave our car quite far back up the steep hill and walk down – and indication as to how many people had caught wind of the event and arrived early – from the first beat of the music carrying itself on the wind to the spectacular set up and lighting displays projected onto the rocks, you got the feeling that you were about to take part in something special.

With three overseas visitors in tow tonight, Miss W was pretty proud to be able to show her guests a glimpse of ‘The Real Ibiza’ – a secret party, heavyweight line-ups and a spectacular setting. Even the ominous rainclouds managed to stay away for the duration of the event – phew!

Of course, it was all about the music and from the minute Groove Armada took to the stage, the entire crowd got their groove on, dancing in the sand, arms in the air, girls hoisted up on shoulders, little kids bopping around (yes, this was a very chilled family affair) and a lot of singing and hugging (think: ‘Whenever I’m down, I call on you my friend’). Oh, I feel all teary and emotional just thinking about it now.

From old classics (Superstylin’ will NEVER get old) to some new songs, this was a concert that will be talked about in Ibiza for years to come. Something out of the ordinary, something unexpected and something very special indeed. In fact, this could be Miss W’s favourite event in Ibiza this summer.

But don’t quote me on that!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The music pumping from the incredible sound system both before and after the event was absolutely rave-tastic and had guests dancing on the sand for hours. Miss W asked around on the night to discover exactly which DJ was doing such a fantastic job (she couldn’t see for herself because the booth was well-hidden) and it wasn’t until the following evening that the ever-so-humble Andy Baxter admitted that he was the man responsible. Makes me look forward to his winter residencies at Pacha and Grial...
THE BAD: The event promised free paella however the guests must have been incredibly hungry as it was completely gone by the time Miss W arrived! There was a gourmet BBQ sizzling away, so we lined up for more than half an hour to order, only to discover that food tickets needed to be purchased at the bar. However when we enquired at the bar, they said we should pay at the BBQ. Needless to say, Miss W had to suffice with a liquid dinner… not the end of the world!
THE GOSSIP: Had Groove Armada’s Andy Cato (who was wearing sunglasses for the entire show) or any of our good friends from The Shop been to bed since the previous night’s extravaganza at Wonderland? Fair play to them all – they managed to pull it off to perfection if that was the case!

26/09/08: Wonderland Closing @ Eden

2008-09-27T13:14:00.000+02:00

Whaddya mean Wonderland is closing? Wasn’t it only yesterday Miss W was speculating about Eden’s revamp (ummm, amazing), whether the club would pull any punters (wellllll, just a few consistent thousand week in, week out) and whether or not the night would be a success (err, no brainer really)? And here we are, celebrating the closing already…

Why is it that we celebrate a closing party anyway? Miss W thinks it should be like a mourning ceremony, given the fact we have to wait another whole eight months before we can experience it again!

But it would be rude of me to let my sadness spoil the party spirirt so it was off to Eden for one last time this summer to say farewell to Pete Tong, Groove Armada, Jo Mills and co at the end of their hugely successful debut season of Wonderland.

Feeling a little bit apprehensive, I entered through the hallowed VIP entrance – something that’s become a bit of a ritual over the last three months – to the sounds of Rob Marmot filling the main room. Considering the hype this party’s received over the last few days, I was surprised to see the dance floor looking sparse, but perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that Pete and Jo were both playing a free pre-party just up the road at Kanya, where many clubbers were eagerly getting a first taste of what was to come.

My prediction soon proved to be correct as the room filled up fast – just in time for Groove Armada’s first set of the evening. That’s right folks, Andy and Tom just can’t seem to get enough of Wonderland and thus two set times were in place – once in the main room and again later in their own room, The Lovebox. Belting out the rave-esque sets Miss W has come to look forward to each Friday one last time…

Upstairs in The Looking Glass it seemed it was resident’s rules, as Jo Mills and Tomas Hedberg DJed back to back for four solid house-flavoured hours, throwing in a few new tracks of their own creation – expect to hear more on this as the year progresses.

And of course, at the end of the night, it was all down to one Mr Tong to wrap up the ceremonies to the thrill of the heaving crowd – saying sayonara to the burlesque dancers, the incredible LCD screens and globe displays, the oversized W-shaped chairs and everything else that made Wonderland the success of the season. I’m sure I heard Miss W’s mentioned in the thank you speech at least once…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The man of the hour, day, week, month and year, Pete Tong was spotted doing the rounds of each room, giving the nod to his faithful residents, much-loved guests and the behind-the scenes crew that make a good night like Wonderland come together – just the way it should be.
THE BAD: Outside at the entrance there was a striking Flamenco dancer doing her thing atop one of the oversized W chairs when sadly, one of the neighbours (yes, nightclubs do indeed have neighbours) complained about the noise of her stamping her feet. Oh come on neighbours… it was the last time this year, give the girl a break!
THE GOSSIP: The vodka was free-flowing tonight though it seemed the bar staff were not too happy about the number of drinks tickets coming across the bar, choosing to serve paying customers over the VIP invited guests. Miss W hears this even resulted in certain staff members being dismissed on the night. Come on girls, surely a measly tip or two wasn’t worth the hassle?

25/09/08: 2008 Ibiza DJ Awards @ Pacha

2008-09-26T10:09:00.000+02:00

From the minute Miss W stepped a stiletto-shod toe onto the red carpet at the pre-event cocktail party at Ocean Drive tonight, she knew this was going to be no ordinary night out to say the least.

Why? Well, firstly the reason for the gathering was to celebrate the 2008 Ibiza DJ Awards, which are voted for by the public so a very important night on the Ibiza social calendar indeed. Secondly, Miss W had caught a glimpse of That Person she had previously considered a Semi-Boyfriend up until a few weeks ago so she felt the need to flick her freshly blow-dried hair a lot as she chatted to super-hot Chilean DJ Luciano on the red carpet, acting as if he was asking her on a date (despite the fact he is happily married and we all know Miss W would NEVER be a home wrecker), not simply discussing his current predilection for dropping old school house classics on the dance floor.

Well, you can’t blame a girl for wanting to look popular in front of an ex, can you?

Anyway, back to business. After grabbing one of the delicious cocktails on offer to soothe my flustered nerves, I finally managed to relax and work my way through the room. From the Mambo family through to the Pacha crew, the German techno-lords, local media magnates and the gorgeous Italian television crews, there was no shortage of schmoozing and air kissing for at least an hour. Then it was on to the main event, moving just down the road to Pacha, where the awards ceremony would be taking place.

I must say it was quite strange to walk into Pacha and be able to actually see the floor – quite a different experience to the usual Thursday nights, but it certainly made balancing a glass of wine – which was free flowing right up until the clock struck 12 – and a delicious Japanese flavoured canapé much more of an easy task than it would be on a crowded dance floor.

With a huge stage set up in the centre of the floor, Miss W picked a prime position high above the VIP area so she could get the perfect view of the action. Starting with the always amazing Pacha dancers posturing on the stage, resplendent in white wedding-esque costumes the only thing that seemed slightly (dare I say?) un-glamorous about the night was the err, interesting alien decorations and fluoro green netting swathed about the stage.

Obviously it tied in with the fact that each winner received a small statue of ‘Kryptonite’ as their award but the relevance was completely lost on me - wasn’t Kryptonite actually Superman’s weakness anyway?

Moving right along, it was time for the awards to begin and the dance floor was now completely full in time for the big announcements – hosted in English by Des Paul of MTV and Capitol Radio and in Spanish by Mariana Ribelo – whose frock seemed to have been designed to coordinate with the alien!

So with no further ado, please allow me to introduce to you, the winners: Tiesto, David Guetta, Armin Van Buuren, Richie Hawtin, Steve Lawler, David Guetta, Adam Beyer, Sasha, Jazzanova, Ricardo Villalobos and Luciano. Special awards were presented to Bill Kelly, co-founder of the Miami Music Conference, Beatport founder Jonas Tempel for their contribution to the dance music industry and as for the biggies? Song of the year went to Mark Knight and Funkagenda’s huge re-working of Laurent Garnier’s Man With The Red Face and Best Ibiza Night went to Cocoon at Amnesia, an award which Miss W thought was very well deserved given it’s huge success for yet another season.

And after the awards? Well the business of an after party is a very important one indeed and when the after party is hosted by a certain Mr & Mrs Guetta – yes, that’s David and Cathy of F*** Me I’m Famous for those who don’t know – in a place like Pacha, well, that’s another whole story indeed.

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Seeing the island's movers and shakers descend upon a venue, dressed up to the nines and with the intention of letting their hair down together after a long and busy summer. Smiles all round...
THE BAD: While the quality of sound at Pacha musically is amazing, the acoustics of the room didn’t seem to lend themselves to the presenter’s voices as it was difficult to hear them speak – though the winners certainly managed to hear their names being called so all was not lost.
THE GOSSIP: Although the event itself is clearly not a strictly Pacha event, it didn’t stop tongues wagging over the noticeable absence of any nomination for Wonderland and its residents. Surely one of the most successful new club nights on the island deserved a look in?

23/09/08: Laurent Garnier @ Space

2008-09-24T18:18:00.001+02:00

As the season is winding down, you’d think that people – like Miss W for example – might be a little sick of heading to nightclubs. Again. And again. But then again, this is Ibiza and as we residents (and faithful visitors of course!) realise we have but a mere few weeks left to enjoy the super clubs – except for Pacha, which remains open all year long thankfully – so it makes us even more likely to head out each and every night for one last dose of DJs, dancing and disco extravaganzas.

Even though it feels like the Carl Cox closing was just yesterday, two weeks have actually passed and rather than let the coveted Tuesday night slot at Space remain empty, the good folk at Safehouse have taken over the club for two more weeks and tonight are presenting a very special evening with none other than Laurent Garnier.

Having witnessed the legendary DJ and producer perform at We Love… Sundays just a few weeks ago, Miss W couldn’t pass up the chance to see him one more time this summer. Arriving quite late – fashionably late of course – Miss W sadly missed out on Monsieur Garnier’s first set on the sunset terrace but was just in time to catch the second set in side the discoteca.

And what a way to end the season – a completely packed club, everyone and anyone from Ibiza, including Miss W and the White-ettes, off-duty DJs, out-of-work Manumission girls and even an Australian contingent in the form of Pacha resident DJ Sarah Main and sister Emma and their visiting troops – perhaps on hand to support Aussie drum & bass heroes Pendulum who were thrashing it out with a DJ and MC set in the inside terrace til the wee hours.

But it was the discoteca where the main action was taking place – when Laurent Garnier unleashed his classic Man With A Red Face on the dance floor, it could have been a scene from a late nineties rave documentary, with the amount of arms in the air reaching for the spectacular lasers combined with screams and whistles coming from the rapturous audience – what an atmosphere and what a way to say sayonara to Tuesday nights…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The amazing production in the Space discoteca and the chance to witness another epic set from Laurent Garnier (make that two if you were one of those lucky enough to arrive at the club in time to catch the first set) before the season comes to a close.
THE BAD: Saying adios to Tuesday nights at Space. Sob sob!
THE GOSSIP: Rumours were flying around the island via email, text message and Chinese whispers (Ibiza style) that his dance music highness Moby would be making a very special appearance tonight, as a ‘secret’ guest. However rumours proved to be untrue… unless Moby was disguised as someone else?

18/09/08: We Love Boat Party with Ibiza Med Yachting

2008-09-18T11:59:00.000+02:00

There’s nothing better than a day on a sailboat heading across to Formentera – that is, until you spend a day on a sailboat heading across to Formentera with the who’s who of Ibiza DJs, on board to help toast the end of the season for We Love… Sundays as part of their ten-year anniversary celebrations – which is exactly how Miss W spent the better part of this fine Thursday in Ibiza.

Setting sail from Ibiza port on the vessel La Princesa Del Mar – a 25-metre yacht managed by Ibiza Med Yachting – or the Good Ship We Love as it could have been renamed today, the guest list to this soiree was kept extremely tight at a mere 35 people and thankfully Miss W was one of those lucky enough to receive an invitation.

With gorgeous glossy brown wooden decking, comfortable and stylish navy blue mattresses aboard the top deck perfect for lazing around and sunbathing, a fully-stocked bar, gourmet buffet lunch and even a makeshift dance floor (one would expect no less from those experienced in throwing one of the world’s biggest and best parties every week), the party seemed to get started before the ship had even left the port.

After a few difficulties with the sound system, requiring a generator to be sent out to meet the boat via Zodiac – it was time for the We Love… residents to step up to the plate (or decks as the case may be) and battle the rocking of the boat in the fight to stay upright behind the makeshift DJ booth and treat guests to exclusive chill-out sets. All Miss W can say is thank goodness the DJs weren’t using vinyl as the Mediterranean was certainly putting on an impressively rocking display of her own talents!

Beginning with a funk based set courtesy of Mr Doris, followed by an impressive array of bootlegs by Jon Sa Trinxa (even Madonna was heard at one point!) and a deep house selection from Jon Howell, it was left to long-time We Lover David Phillips to finish off with an eclectic party mix that impressed the tough audience on board – must be difficult when you’re playing to a room that’s 70 per cent DJs, 15 per cent promoters, 15 per cent music lovers and 5 per cent Miss W.

As for the rest of the day? Entertaining antics (as always) from the Café Mambo crew – Alex Wolfenden, Jason Bye and Andy Baxter – plenty of sunshine meant lots of time spent diving off the boat to swim and snorkel, delicious food, great service and a good time was had by all.

The verdict? We love… We Love…!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Mooring just off Es Palmador and being treated to exclusive one hour chill-out sets from the residents of We Love… Not a bad life, eh?
THE BAD: A serious bout of seasickness caused by very rough waters saw one We Lover jump ship (not literally of course) and return to dry land before the boat had even passed Las Salinas beach while several others were seen clutching their tummies or even the side of the boat to try and hold on to their lunches!
THE GOSSIP: A few notable absences from well-known island DJs who had RSVP’d yes to the event had tongues wagging as to whether the previous night’s festivities had caused them to oversleep – Miss W suspects the early curtain call of 11am must have been painful more than one of the night creatures on board!

17/09/08: Kumhara’s Wax Da Beach with Radio Sonica

2008-09-17T23:41:00.000+02:00

It was a sad day when alternative sunset hangout Kumhara’s in San Antonio Bay closed its doors (well, more like it’s wooden shutters but you get my drift) for a forced two-month closure after battling with the authorities for the past year and Miss W shed a tear or two, having watched many a beautiful sunset there in her time.

Which meant it was an even happier occasion when the venue reopened for business just over a week ago – and what better way to celebrate than with a live broadcast on Radio Sonica featuring Nightmares on Wax and the Wax On crew, for the aptly named three-hour Wax Da Beach show.

Miss W is a devoted listener of DJ E.A.S.E’s (aka George Evelyn, the man behind the mighty Nightmares On Wax project) weekly radio show Wax Da Box on Ibiza Sonica (from 6pm every Thursday for those who’d like to tune in and hear it themselves) so it didn’t take much to entice her into Kumhara’s when she heard the news – throw in a couple of glasses of chilled rosé, one (or two) of the infamous Nutella crepes and some chilled-out tunes courtesy of the Wax On crew and we were in business.

For one of the first nights this season it was chilly enough to actually wear jeans and a light scarf but thankfully the weather didn’t deter a healthy crowd from forming around the area where George was doing his thing – assisted by just a few of his talented friends including Negghead, Guts and some extra special help on the mike provided by his gorgeous daughter Mali (who struggled to see over the decks it must be said, but managed to pull off the sweetest guest vocals ever heard in Ibiza.

Think trip-hop tastic, laidback melodies and smooth grooves in a hippy-esque environment, with Ibiza Sonica on hand to broadcast the entire event to everyone who couldn’t make it to the actual event and you’ve got the recipe for the perfect sunset experience. Though Miss W must admit she stayed long after the sun went down, along with the Sonica and Wax On crews and a handful of their closest friends.

Nightmares? More of a dream-like state if you ask Miss W!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: With the three-hour Wax Da Beach spectacular being broadcast live on Ibiza Sonica (and coming to you live from White Ibiza’s home page), it meant that no matter where in the world you’re based, you didn’t have to miss out on the action completely. Miss W would like to request a re-run of the show please… or a download so she can relive the moment.
THE BAD: The slightly overcast weather made the sunset moment just a little bit non descript (though thankfully the good tunes coming from DJ E.A.S>E made up for it). I guess you can’t control every single aspect of planning an event – at least it wasn’t rained out!
THE GOSSIP: Miss W hears whispers of a Wax Da Beach sequel taking place at on Friday October 3rd so keep your eyes peeled, your dial tuned to 95.2fm or stream it live from the web as it’s guaranteed to be a great wind down as the summer season comes to a close (sob sob!).

12/09/08: Manumission Closing Party

2008-09-13T15:10:00.001+02:00

I know, I know, I know. Miss W has a slight obsession with Manumission and a tendency to go on and on about them whenever occasion allows. Well, please bear with me one last time as I wax lyrical about the final occasion for Ibiza’s favourite performance artists, as tonight marks the farewell for 2008 – and if you listen to the rumours on the island, it could well be the farewell forever – of Manumission.

Rather than listen to rumours, Miss W thought it was best she got into the spirit of things herself and had one last dance at Amnesia on a Friday (for this summer at least), one last chance to witness the shows… and let’s not forget, once last chance to mingle upstairs in the exclusive VIP area with the who’s who of Ibiza society – otherwise known as friends of Manumission.

While the action for most people took place on the stages on the famous Amnesia terrace (I must admit, I don’t really see the point of the main room being open – why go in here when the shows are in the terrace?), for Miss W, the action happens on the raised balcony looking down on the shows. Practically every single bar and restaurant owner – plus their staff members, friends and invited guests) in Ibiza had turned out to show their support of one of the original and best parties on the island. Add to that a host of island characters, DJs, party promoters, club owners, dancers, ex-Manumission staff and you’ve got a melting pot of islanders set to create a party atmosphere more like a New Year’s Eve party than a closing!

Thankfully, the balcony affords full view of the shows and Miss W got her final fix of the Coney Island Review – for the record, may I say that Baby Pin Up and her interesting interpretation of flying the flags most definitely steals the show (no less shocking-yet-impressive the more times you see it) , Mike and Claire still reign as island style icons and that the ever smiling long-standing Manumission girl Giulia’s glossy red smile will be firmly imprinted on many a clubber’s brain after they’ve left the venue tonight, having been tossed a gift from her hands out of the Manumission dress-up box, whether it be a wig, feather boa or mask. And yes, given the chance I would still don the obligatory corset, sky-high stilettos and add a feather to my hair to run away and join the Manumission circus if I could.

Guess that gives me motivation to start that detox, diet and exercise regime I’ve been contemplating soon right? Well, once we’ve passed the rest of the closings that is – this week is only just the beginning of the end…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: What can I say? Mike, Claire, Johnny Golden, and the Coney Island Review - Manuel Albarran, Polly Fey, Elise Caluwaerts and not forgetting the unique and spectacular Baby Pin Up – thank you all for a wonderful season and we’re looking forward to see happens next!
THE BAD: In the past, the Manumission closing party has practically caused a roadblock in San Rafael (including at previous home Privilege) but tonight Miss W had no problem finding a parking space in the Amnesia car park. While some may say this is a good thing, Miss W worries that it spells a decline in the numbers attending the closing parties – surely not a good sign?
THE GOSSIP: Was this SERIOUSLY the last Manumission party ever? Say it isn’t so? The island is awash with gossip about the future of the party – from a world tour to moving clubs to branching out into film, there’s no firm answer from anyone in the Manumission camp as to whether they will continue next summer – you can trust Miss W to keep you posted on this particular topic over the next few months and give you the news as and when it comes to hand.

10/09/08: Beach Azuli @ S’Estanyol

2008-09-11T16:47:00.000+02:00

This summer Miss W has come to look forward to the monthly ‘secret’ Azuli parties on the beach – guaranteed to deliver good music, a host of beautiful guests and above all, the opportunity to dance on the sand, beneath the sparkling Ibiza sunshine, something that has become somewhat of a rarity these days thanks to the ever-changing laws and noise restrictions on the island.

So when September rolled around, one of the first things on my mind was what, when, where and who? What date would it happen, when would I find out, where would it be held and who would be the guest DJs? Add in another who – who would be attending?

Well, today I got the answers I’d been looking for when at 12pm I was notified by text message that Beach Azuli would indeed be happening today at one of my favourite places, the gorgeous cove of S’Estanyol. With special guest DJs David Piccioni, Rob Marmot, Antz, Oliver Lang and Ian Blevins – island DJs (all very easy on the eye if Miss W may say so herself) happy to donate their time to a good cause, supporting the Danny Torres Foundation – the charity that profits from today’s event will go to. Awww bless…

As per usual, Azuli didn’t fail to impress me – in a week of uncertain weather, it was blue skies and high temperatures aplenty, with the sunbeds on the beach booked out just minutes after the party started and the jugs of sangria being refilled faster than you can say ‘salud’ as is the custom in Spain! Add to that a combination of Balearic classics and disco party favourites, a sandy dance floor that filled up the minute the sun went down, super cool guests including James Blunt (who was only too happy to make a more than generous donation to charity), local DJs and plenty of clued-up residents and you’ve got yourself a foolproof recipe for a fabulous Ibiza beach party.

Will there be another? Miss W hears that there will be an extra instalment in the Beach Azuli sessions at the end of September – stay tuned for a full report!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Azuli boss David Piccioni proved that people in Ibiza really do have a heart and party for pleasure, not profit by donating all profits from the event to ASPANADIF, an association for parents with disabled children from Ibiza and Formentera. Three cheers to David and let’s hope more DJs and promoters of his calibre follow suit.
THE BAD: Although the Azuli party is by invitation and word of mouth only, guests were asked to make a ‘suggested’ 20€ donation to the charity. Miss W was surprised to hear that many island residents only donated their loose change – or worse still, promised to come back and donate ‘later’ with the idea that ‘paying’ to get into an event was something they shouldn’t have to do. You know who you are – and you should be ashamed of yourselves.
THE GOSSIP: Tongues were wagging all over the island when Beach Azuli DIDN’T happen on the first Wednesday of the month as it has for the previous three months. Was it due to the fact their previous venue has been temporarily closed due to an incident involving a very Swish London nightclub threw a party on the premises? Or was moving it to the second week it a clever ploy to keep authorities off the scent of what has become a very successful day-meets-night party?

09/09/08: Carl Cox Closing Party

2008-09-10T14:43:00.000+02:00

Here we go, here we go, here we gooooo... That’s the tune Miss W had on her lips tonight, as we headed towards Space to bid farewell to Carl Cox & Friends, who were wrapping up their incredibly successful ninth season on the island and at Space. To quote Dorothy in the Wizard Of Oz, ‘People come and go so quickly around here, don’t they?’

With the briefest of all club nights, at a mere 10 weeks long, it’s no wonder that crowds flock to this popular night – you’ve gotta get in there quick! Though it may be the shortest season, in terms of line-ups, as I’ve said before, it’s definitely one of Ibiza’s finest. From underground techno heroes and breakbeat wizards to drum and bass über-stars and acid house pioneers, the night is one for party lovers and enthusiasts alike.

Miss W falls somewhere between the two categories, so wasn’t about to miss the final show. Carl Cox & Friends is notorious for long queues and generally the wait to even enter the hallowed doors of Space can take up to an hour (generally this is put down to low ticket prices before midnight, a move the promoters should be congratulated on) but thankfully Miss W knows how to wink her way to the front of the queue, so catching the tail end of Carl Cox’s sunset terrace set wasn’t a problem!

The it was into the dark discoteca, where Loco Dice – one of the DJs on the island that Miss W thinks would be a very good Potential Boyfriend, if only she could actually met him face to face – was playing his trademark bouncy techno, carnival style music that could make even the most stubborn dance-hater (not that there are any in Ibiza) get a wiggle on. And he’s just so darn good looking, how could anyone not want to be up close to the DJ booth!

Bushwacka! entertained with an eclectic tech/house set on the indoor terraza, including a remix of Bille Jean that sent the crowds into a frenzy. Production wise, the white face painted Space stilt walkers did their thing, sending the crowd into hysterics, a giant white sheet was flung over the entire terrace like a parachute then swept off to a roar of approval, the stunning Space dancers did their thing one last time with extra gusto and the spectacular laser show was more dazzling than Tiffany & Co diamond ring.

Miss W thinks a very big round of applause must go to the Filthy Gorgeous crew, who hosted the jam-packed El Salon room and a standing ovation to Mr Doris who played to a very crowded Premier Etage for over seven hours – wow!

With friends like these… it’s no wonder this finale was such a success.

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The enthusiasm and energy of the big man himself hasn’t waned after all these years, which is nice to see in an industry that can sometimes seem a little jaded. What a nice guy indeed…
THE BAD: What? You mean it’s over so soon? Miss W can’t help but think that if Carl and his buddies extended their season, Ibiza’s September tourism numbers might get more of a boost. If the government is encouraging longer seasons, then surely the clubs hosting the nights should give the promoters a bit of a friendly nudge in the right direction too?
THE GOSSIP: German techno legend Sven Vath was spotted in the DJ booth, high fiving Carl Cox for a few minutes as guest Loco Dice finished his set, but didn’t hang around to watch any of the other acts. Perhaps he was just tired after the previous night’s Cocoon party?

08/09/08: DC10 – the actual farewell?

2008-09-09T14:41:00.000+02:00

Dc10 is not traditionally the kind of place Miss W chooses to get her groove on – well ok, there is the odd occasion when I am tempted, but as a general rule it’s not my first port of call on a Monday afternoon. But the word on the street this week is that due to their many struggles with the local authorities, today will officially be the last ever Circo Loco party in Ibiza. So really, the closing party to end all closing parties, before the closing parties have even begun! If you follow my drift…

So I figured it was now or never!

Sporting my very special red new boots to protect my freshly pedicured toes from the perils of the dirty dusty DC10 car park, I arrived fairly late (9pm) by the looks of the way the party was going. While there were no queues outside, there were certainly enough hunky looking doorman on hand to ensure the hottie quota for the evening was reached before even heading inside, where the hordes of people crowding the bars and overheating the dance floor was enough to make me think the amount of clubbers per square metre could surely rival Privilege on a Monday night!

Was it magic? Or was it madness? That was the question on my lips as I made my way through the club and I have to say that the answer lies somewhere in between.

Think hundreds of stylish Italian girls dancing alongside younger English clubbers, resplendent in their fancy dress attempts. Think tall, muscly tattooed über-men rubbing shoulders (though Miss W would like to take this opportunity to say shirts off in a club is so not cool, no matter how hot it gets on the dance floor) with local business owners, yummy mummies (minus bubs of course) and those retired-clubbers who thought their DC10 days were long gone, all hoping for one last chance to relive the magic that made this party one of a kind, not just in Ibiza but in the world.

While I’m all for getting involved on the dance floor, when a club is as crowded of this (with no VIP area to seek solace in – everyone is as one here) I was pretty happy to run into my Very Well Connected Friend who invited me into the inner sanctum of DC10, otherwise known as behind the DJ booth! And not a moment too soon – I mean, what’s the point of dancing if no one can see your shoes?

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: That the island’s true party spirit lives on, even if it’s with baited breath that each week could be their last chance to party on a Monday in the now-legendary hangar on the side of the road towards Las Salinas.
THE BAD: There’s busy, there’s rammed and then there’s the DC10 terrace dance floor. Enough said.
THE GOSSIP: Is it or isn’t it closing? Was this or wasn’t this the last party? Would the police close the event down halfway through the night? Only time will tell – keep your eyes peeled out by the airport next Monday and find out for yourself!

06/09/08: Pirates Of the Caribizan Boat Party

2008-09-07T20:32:00.000+02:00

Another day, another boat party. We must be in Ibiza indeed…

The invites for today’s Pirates Of The CarIbizan boat party begin by telling the tale of UK party promoters Puscha’s now legendary Shipwrecked cruise back in 2004, when three party ships were sailed down the river Thames in the typical OTT Pushca fashion, in search of a mythical lost party island. Legend – well, some cleverly worded PR material anyway - has it that one of the boats along with its crew and passengers was lost at sea and rumoured to have made its way to Ibiza.

Of course, it would be rude not to join in the search to recover those lost at sea – put on in Ibiza in conjunction with professional party pirates, Los Piratas and their very special sailing yacht - and so Miss W accepted the invite with gusto and began practicing her very best ‘ahoy me hearties’ the night before. Though to be honest, I’ve always fancied myself as more of a Keira Knightley-type character than a Johnny Depp-esque pirate…

Though the 1pm kick-off time was actually quite civilised, Miss W struggled to get to the port of Ibiza Town in time to board, almost missing the boat, quite literally! After what felt like a very long night at Pete Tong’s Wonderland the previous evening, making the right fashion choices for a day on the water proved a little difficult, resulting in the need for a quick shopping excursion in Ibiza for some added inspiration! Eye patches have never really been my thing, however I’ve always wanted an excuse to buy myself one of those Alexander McQueen silk skull and crossbones scarves so after a quick stop off at trendy boutique Mayurka, I was ready to set sail.

With plenty of recognisable Ibiza faces on board, along with a host of fresh faces who were clearly part of the Pushca crew, it was clear from the minute the boat left the harbour that this was indeed a party search and rescue mission. With funky house-favoured music being the order of the day and plenty of icy cold drinks (thankfully not rum or port in true pirate style!) served up, the deck became a dance floor in less than an hour, proving that these two promoters really know what they’re doing when it comes to putting on a party.

While Miss W didn’t spy any Orlando Bloom lookalikes on board, there were still plenty of the obligatory eye patches and bandannas on the boys to keep the pirate theme alive, while the girls opted to steer clear of the swashbuckles and stick with the tried and tested bikini top and shorts/skirt combination. Personally, I preferred to fashion my new skull scarf into a makeshift top.

After all, if you’ve got a McQueen, flaunt it!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Getting the chance to be out on open waters without feeling the stress of having to return to the office or get to the next party/dinner/event and the like in a hurry. September in Ibiza means we can actually breathe a sigh of relief as the pressure eases off and the party season slows down – for two weeks at least, before the closing parties arrive!
THE BAD: It seemed like the party was promoted at the proverbial 11th hour, with a flurry of emails, texts, MySpace bulletins and Facebook messages arriving in various islanders’ inboxes right up until a few hours before the scheduled departure time of 1pm Saturday – while the party itself went on to (thankfully) be a success, the slight air-of-desperation created by all the PR-ing just before setting sail didn’t do much to encourage people to join the party.
THE GOSSIP: Miss W had to wonder about the combination of Los Piratas (who declare ‘we love to make a mess’ on their website) and Pushca (who pride themselves on style and glamour) – one underground Ibiza institution and the other a well-established UK brand. While it didn’t seem to fit on the outside, once on the boat it just went to show that even the strangest of pairings work on this island!

01/09/08: Are tattoos the latest Ibiza fashion accessory?

2008-09-01T23:20:00.002+02:00

You know, Miss W considers people watching part of her job – as long as she resists the urge to stare of course – and as today marks the official start of autumn, I thought I would have a look around to check out what we had in store fashion-wise for the changing of the season.

Though I must admit, here in Ibiza it is still definitely feeling like summer is in full swing, with temperatures soaring at over 31 degrees each day, the beach still being one of our prime daily destinations and party-wear still consisting of nothing more than a little frock!

So as I began to meander up and down Vara De Rey, traipsing along Isador Macabich and snaking my way through the old town’s plethora of fashion shops, I couldn’t help but notice the stylish people on parade as much as the changing window displays of the stores – September has arrived and with it, the usual bunch of clued-up, fashion-conscious and ultra-cool holiday makers.

The one thing that caught my eye however – considering that there is still a considerable amount of tanned flesh on display given the steamy weather – is that everyone who’s anyone on this island (and even those who aren’t!) seem to be sporting some very amazing tattoos. From beautifully scripted words, in Spanish, Italian, English and even Latin, showing off the multi-cultural nature of our beautiful island’s inhabitants to gorgeously kitsch pictures of cats, fairies and butterflies and amazing dragons, coats of arms and the most incredibly detailed portrait work, I couldn’t help but wonder when did tattoos become the latest must-have fashion accessory? Did Miss W miss the Vogue bulletin declaring it so, or am I just hanging out in the wrong places?

After asking around (and purchasing the latest edition of UK Vogue, who even included an article on supermodel’s tattoos), it became clear that the trend is indeed in full swing, with Ibiza being the epicentre of cool when it comes to showing off your latest holiday souvenir. The only problem is, after you’ve gotten your very own, you need to wait at least seven days before swimming in the sea, going in the sun or showing it off in public, in order to avoid it getting bumped around, dirty or infected, making it pretty difficult to make the most of the Ibiza style if you ask me.

Which leaves Miss W to put off getting her very own tattoo for at least another month or maybe even another season – it’s not really your typical impulse buy after all! Plus I couldn’t bear to miss a day of swimming in the gorgeous Med waters when we’re blessed with a climate like this!

Stay tuned for further Autumn fashion updates as the weather slowly starts to change later this month…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: In Ibiza’s very open-minded environment, tattoos are not only accepted but encouraged – just take a closer look at your bank manager, shop keeper, doorman, neighbour. Thankfully on the island, personal preferences such as body art won’t stop you from getting the right job, getting into the right party or making friends with the right people. In fact, it’s a great conversation starter if you ask me!
THE BAD: Girls with too many tattoos – call me old-fashioned but I think it’s sexy to have just a few select pieces, or one statement piece that can be shown off sexily with the right outfit. Sleeve tattoos just don’t seem to have the same striking effect on a woman as they do a hunky man!
THE GOSSIP: Miss W happened to be having a drink in a very low-key yet über-cool establishment last week when she overheard a conversation between Neil Ahern of Inkadelic – Ibiza’s tattoo artist de jour – and a friend. While I’m not normally one for repeating gossip (ahem!) this titbit was just a little too good to keep to myself. It seems none other than Ms Dannii Minogue, who was in town for a bit of a break from her busy schedule last week, went to Inkadelic with the hopes of getting her very own piece of body art. What she didn’t count on however, was that Neil – the creator and designer of many a custom piece of artwork - doesn’t accept walk-ins and prefers to work on his own designs, not small, stock-standard pieces such as Japanese symbols. So much was her surprise when he refused her request, that she reminded him of who she was. Neil’s response? ‘Look sweetheart, I’ve refused Kate and Naomi in the past – who do you think you are?’ It’s good to see some integrity in his profession!

29/08/08: CR2 Records Live & Direct Boat Party

2008-08-29T20:51:00.001+02:00

If there’s one thing you can say about DJ Danny Rampling, it’s that he certainly never fails to get the dance music community talking, what with his constant career changes, new ventures and interesting viewpoints on what’s going on in the world. So when Miss W was invited aboard an exclusive boat cruise celebrating the launch of his latest compilation album, she simply couldn’t resist the chance to set sail and see just what all the fuss was about.

After a slow start (the invitation said 12.30pm however the boat didn’t leave its docks until at least 2pm), the glass bottomed vessel left the San Antonio marina and began it’s leisurely cruise along the west coast of the island.

The Funktion 1 sound system installed especially for the occasion was clearly an indication that this was set to become a party boat rather than a leisurely afternoon cruise and the thumping house music echoing from the upper deck soon proved my prediction to be correct.

As we coasted past Cala Conte – all ooh-ing and ahh-ing as to whether one of the sprawling villa estates actually does belong to supermodel Claudia Schiffer or not – and neighbouring Cala Bassa, Cala Tarida, the stunning flat rocks at Punta Galera, ibiza really put on her finest display of sunshine, sparkling water and striking backdrops. At one point the captain steered the vessel right into one of the stunning rock formations nestled just off the coast at a frightening speed, before parking just inside the cave-like space – obviously his favourite party trick and one he’s done many times before!

After returning to San An to collect some latecomers, we headed out once more to the sounds of the man of the moment – Mr Rampling jumping behind the decks to give us a taste of his new CD, a collection of house music spanning two years of club classics, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the famous Ibiza Summer Of Love. Quite appropriate really, considering he was one of the movement’s forefathers.

Before you could say Acid House, the entire top deck became a dance floor, grooving to classics like Black Box’s Ride On Time – remixed with a more modern feel – think arms in the air, hair blowing in the salty sea breeze, sun warming up complexions and you’ve got yourself a winning combination. Just add a few ultra glamorous Manumission Girls (seriously, Miss W thinks they are just taunting her nowadays!) in white bikinis and you could be on the set of a music video clip.

Miss W thinks the reason Danny Rampling continues to return to his roots as a DJ is obvious: the man is a legend and clearly an expert at making the masses dance!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The theme for the cruise was what tickled Miss W’s fancy of course – Strictly White! The entire top deck filled with beautiful people dressed all in white couldn’t have been any more appropriate!
THE BAD: At one point the promotional team coerced most of the guests up onto the top deck and insisted they don CR2 t-shirts and dance for some PR photo opportunities – if there’s one thing Miss W finds just a little bit tacky, it’s shameless self promotion like this. I mean, one-sized fits all tees are never really all that flattering for everyone’s figure, are they?
THE GOSSIP: The invitation promised a very special secret guest DJ, and rumours across the island promised an appearance by Nic Fanciulli – however Nic was a no-show and when questioned about it the next day, he confessed to knowing nothing about the party. So who was the ‘special secret guest’ who didn’t turn up actually meant to be?

27/08/08: A mid-week celebration at Sa Capella

2008-08-28T10:07:00.001+02:00

A little bit of pomp and ceremony never hurt anyone in Miss W’s eyes, so if you’re going to have a celebration, why not throw it somewhere that’s really dramatic, spectacular and ultra special, with an extra big dash of pomp?

Exactly what, who, where and when is Miss W waffling about now, you may ask yourself? Well, it’s the birthday celebrations of one of the island’s most loved DJs, Jo Mills (and before you ask, no, a lady never tells her age!) at the fabulous Sa Capella restaurant in San Antonio - Ibiza tonight, a very glamorous and chic affair that required more than one table booking courtesy of White Ibiza – with over 45 invited guests (a guest list that rivalled the International Music Summit with industry types and island socialites), Ms Mills needed to extend her booking to take over half of the ex-monastery’s interior space!

Starting with bowls of steamingly delicious cream of tomato soup with basil and mozzarella (which Miss W thought was a little like caprese salad in liquid form – yum!) or chilled gazpacho plus the thinnest, tastiest slices of the house specialty Serrano ham, washed down with the finest Spanish white and red wines, Miss W had to wonder how the seemingly tiny kitchen could keep up with the demands of the table when it came to serving up the varied individual mains but she should never have doubted their skill or expertise for a second really – there’s a reason Sa Capella have come to be known as one of the island’s finest dining establishments.

From whole fish baked inside a bed of rock salt, quickly and expertly filleted at the table to soft and tender roast suckling pig or tender slices of ox steak grilled to your own liking, each and every meal appeared right on time, cooked to perfection and tasting every bit as good as they looked – and inspiring food envy from many of the diners. All the more reason for a return visit I say!

Of course, after partaking in the feast, the consensus among guests was there was no room for dessert, though the Sa Capella crew presented the birthday girl with a tray of almond crisp bread topped with sparklers as the entire restaurant joined in and sang happy birthday to Jo beneath the ancient archways of the chapel.

Last but not least, the obligatory bottles of homemade hierbas were placed on each table, as the guests slowly but surely let their meals digest and contemplated leaving the venue as the clock struck 12 to get amongst the island’s nightlife, however this was one occasion where Miss W opted for her soft and comfy bed rather than an all-night long dance floor session.

That’s what I call leaving on a high note!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Getting the chance to sit down for a long leisurely dinner with a bunch of friends in August – usually a luxury we don’t have time for in the busiest month of the season.
THE BAD: Why do people always seem to leave birthday dinners early, without leaving enough cash to cover their own meal? Miss W thinks this is not only bad manners, but also bad taste to leave your hosts to foot a large portion of the bill.
THE GOSSIP: There were some very noticeable absences amongst the guests – not mentioning any big-name DJ or promoter names of course – which had tongues wagging about what possible business dinner could be more important than celebrating a long-time friend’s birthday?

25/08/08: Cala Jondal is where it's at!

2008-08-25T03:23:00.004+02:00

You know, it’s hard for Miss W to actually label any beach as her particular favourites, but Cala Jondal must come as close to perfection as any other shoreline in the world. Huge, glossy grey pebbles, soft, silky sands and gentle, crystal clear waters set amongst a stunning backdrop of rocky cliffs. Am I right, or am I right?

Having spent a couple of weeks with my head down and fingers typing in August (along with being out and about for my social commitments of course), I decided that this week would officially be the week that Miss W worked on her tan. Sunshine was definitely in order – I mean, a girl can fake bake any time she needs the extra glow, but nothing beats the feeling of the real deal.

And although I had the best intentions of checking out different locations across the island, in the end, it was the pebbly shores of Cala Jondal (easy to find parking, no traffic to fight and a mere ten minutes from my house) that got my vote for three days running – hard life, isn’t it? Check out my downtime schedule…

Day 1: A relaxing Saturday afternoon, at the far end of Jondal and on the sands in front of Tropicana with visiting friends. What a cool, chilled, relaxed atmosphere – and quite possibly the best club sandwich on the island by the way! Miss W and some selected White-ettes chose to flit between a shaded table and some poll-position sun beds for the entire duration of the afternoon. The perfect chillout experience before the hectic Ibiza weekend kicked into gear.

Day 2: A divine day bed at Blue Marlin. After a night spent dancing at We Love… Sundays at Space, Miss W and Semi-Boyfriend were tired enough to spend a week in bed, however as that would clearly be ridiculous and a waste of the sensational resources Ibiza has on offer (not to mention just a little too forward for Miss W’s VERY conservative standards), we booked a king-sized bed at Blue Marlin to rest our weary heads – for one afternoon at the very least. I also managed to score some VERY cool Wonder Woman-esque red leather slouch boots in the Blue Marlin boutique, something I have been lusting after for almost a year now - result! A little bit of gossip for you – we had none other than Queen Latifah lounging on the bed next to us. How very glam indeed!

Day 3: A long and leisurely late lunch at Yemanja. Have I mentioned before how much I actually love this restaurant in Ibiza? While my entire group of friends ordered the famous paella, I indulged in the sensational chicken salad. I’ve eaten a lot of chicken salads on this island and I must say, Yemanja is my number one. Particularly followed by a sunbathing session on the sun loungers positioned right by the turquoise water – absolute heaven. If I could sleep here, I seriously think I would…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The clarity of the pristine Cala Jondal water – I was seriously swimming next to Nemo at one point!
THE BAD: The new breed of beach going girls who seem to think that its cool to swim complete with their beads, oversized earrings and bangles – look, I understand the need for sunglasses when you’re in the water, but surely the bling can take a backseat for a few minutes?
THE GOSSIP: Cala Jondal is definitely a people watching and celebrity spotting destination these days – I mean, the amount of shiny black Hummers parked outside pays testament to the fact – but Miss W has to wonder why people don’t at least have the courtesy to wear their sunglasses if they are going to stare? Subtlety is the key, my darlings…

20/08/08: Nightmares on Wax Album Launch

2008-08-21T01:22:00.000+02:00

Though the memory of last night’s Ibiza Rocks gig was still firmly imprinted in my brain – and to be honest, as fun as it was, once this week was enough for Miss W (or so I thought) – I had an inkling that I’d be San Antonio bound again tonight. Why? The launch of the highly anticipated new Nightmares On Wax album, ‘Thought So…’

So it was back to the Ibiza Rocks hotel for Miss W, only instead of the stadium style rock gig, this was more of an intimate style basement gig, housed in the Electric Area of the hotel.

Well, I had been thinking recently that I should start living the rock chick part as well as looking it!

As I strolled into Ibiza Rocks Hotel for the second time in two days, I was very glad I’d chosen a completely different outfit (tonight opting for a fluoro orange micro-skirt that actually became MORE fluoro under the lights – I totally felt like it was my 15 minutes of fame every time I danced beneath a spotlight), as I’m sure I spied more than one familiar face lingering around the lobby!

Speaking of familiar faces, there was many a music industry insider on hand for the event, from promoters to DJs, managers, musicians, filmmakers and producers – the Nightmares On Wax crew have a huge following around the world, with a very strong Ibiza faction showing their support. You’ve gotta admit, it’s just the perfect music for an afternoon on the beach, an early morning after party, getting ready to go out or just a chilled out vibe, wherever you are, helped by the fact that the ever-so-lovely main man, George Evelyn aka DJ E.A.S.E lives in Ibiza all year round, inspiring a fierce loyalty amongst locals – Miss W included.

From the minute DJ E.A.S.E took to the decks (and the computer and technical, err, stuff on the stage!) it was clear that he had complete control of the room, getting the entire dance floor grooving, to some classic NOW tracks before hitting us with new material that Miss W is DYING to get her hands on!

With the help of the amazingly talented vocalist Ricky Ranking and ultra-cool Chyna Brown and Ella May (who both have the voices of angels), the trip hop-eneurs, as they’ve dubbed themselves stayed true to the classic NOW sound, chilled, soulful and one hundred per cent cool.

For almost an hour and a half, the crew kept us dancing, arms in the air, singing along, really feeling like a part of something special – something Miss W thinks will be hard to top as we’re approaching the tail end of summer.

My top tip? Buy the album, pronto - this is one of those CDs that is practically an investment, as you know it will never date and stay on high rotation on your iPod for many a year to come!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Nightmares on Wax Sound System live (that’s DJ E.A.S.E. plus vocalists) totally changed my perception of live music gigs – the mix of cool people, fabulous music, sensational live vocals and a warm, friendly atmosphere was so far removed from last night’s sweaty, out-of-control mosh pit that you’d hardly believe you were in the same venue, and I can easily say it was one of the best nights out I’ve had this summer. And ten points go to George’s pint sized gorgeous daughter Mali, on stage and dancing along to Dad’s gig surely hours after her bedtime…
THE BAD: It was a shame that such an amazing band were relegated to the small, basement bar of the hotel – while the intimate vibe was cosy and nice, we think Nightmares on Wax could have easily taken control of the outdoor stage and shown Ibiza Rocks Hotel how it’s really done.
THE GOSSIP: Miss W heard there were a couple slightly confused tourists attending the launch with the intention of grabbing some freebies, presuming the ‘free album launch party’ flyer meant guests would receive a CD – no girls, it meant free entry – a rarity in Ibiza! Supporting the artists by actually buying the CD after you’ve just witnessed an incredible free live gig (and received a free t-shirt) is the whole point of the promotion!

19/08/08: Fashion TV Boat Party

2008-08-20T15:11:00.001+02:00

Just when I thought I was ready to hang up my disco boots (more like rock band boots but you get the point) for the night, one of those spontaneous Ibiza party experiences presented itself and I was forced to make an on-the-spot decision, something I never normally do. Usually I like to consult my hypnotherapist, yoga guru, several White-ettes, the Semi-Boyfriend and at least one of my cats before even considering the wardrobe options for the evening, but last night I was faced with two choices and no one to turn to for advice so I had to put myself to the test.

The choices were pretty simple really. Go home to bed or to join the ultra-exclusive Fashion TV crowd on board an enormous cruise liner in the port. Was bed ever really an option for Miss W? I think not…

After an interesting journey to actually arrive at the enormous Fashion TV vessel, The Black Diamond (a water taxi, brief stint at walking and short taxi ride later), which was moored at the very far end of the new marina, I have to say, I was not feeling at my most fashionable best. Humidity and hair are not the best of friends in Miss W’s world.

Without a highly skilled team of hair and make-up artists at my beck and call however, it seemed I had to grin and bear it – or wear it as the case may be! As I approached the black mega-yacht (seriously, that’s what FTV call it!), I was in awe by the sheer scale of it - this is not some charter boat decorated with FTV banners with some models swanning about on deck, this is a custom built floating entertainment complex complete with swimming pool, three nightclubs, a casino, VIP cabin, lounge area, restaurants, catwalk (of course) and even a gymnasium along with 100 cabins for guests to stay overnight.

Not a single detail of the boat had been overlooked when it came to design - every last tile, tablecloth, glass, plate, staircase, door and window was embedded, embossed and emblazoned with the famous FTV diamond logo, in an impossibly chic way of course. As one would expect at such an event, models were a dime a dozen, along with the FTV camera crew on hand to capture all of the action, making me check my hair, make-up and outfit in every available reflective surface at least once a minute… just in case!

The party itself was quite a low-key affair, with all guests casually lounging on the two upper decks by the pool or lingering by the bars (Miss W also noted most guests steered clear of the buffet table upstairs – well, it is Ibiza Fashion TV after all sweetie darling!) and DJ Rob Marmot providing a subtle-yet-sexy techno-laced soundtrack to the event which was a welcome respite from the usual cheesy house music that such events tend to play.

Leaving the boat as the sun was about to rise, Miss W was pretty happy that she’d decided to follow her heart and not her head, when she decided to stowaway tonight – as Marilyn Monroe once famously said, beds aren’t meant for sleeping in!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The chance to check out a James Bond-style mega yacht in all its glory – all I can say is wow!
THE BAD: The many empty bars, rooms and dance floors on board – it seemed there were only a few hundred people on board a ship that is intended for thousands, giving it the feel of a party that hasn’t didn’t quiet get its groove going all night.
THE GOSSIP: The sheer size of the Black Diamond meant you couldn’t help but notice it’s presence no matter where you were stationed in the port, however the lack of publicity surrounding the party had Miss W wondering exactly who the party was intended for as there were very few Ibiza faces on deck. Is it possible I may have actually gatecrashed a private event?

19/08/08: The Streets @ Ibiza Rocks

2008-08-20T12:09:00.000+02:00

It’s been a while since Miss W has graced the Ibiza Rocks Hotel with her presence – since the opening party in fact – and with the highly anticipated gig tonight featuring The Streets and A.Human, she thought it was about time to embrace her inner Kate Moss (well, within reason of course) and put in some serious band time.

So it was into San Antonio I went, armed with my very best rock chick mini-dress, knee high black boots, plenty of black eyeliner and a trusty White-ette in tow. The venue was still as impressive as I recalled from my first visit and the screams, wolf-whistles and hoots coming from the live stage outside indicated that the crowd was already in the thick of their evening.

Having been bestowed with a VIP wristband, after a quick civilised drink in the hotel lobby, Miss W and Co headed up stairs to the balcony to check out the action. With one look over the railings to the mosh pit below, I must say I was glad that I wasn’t in the thick of the action – this is one place where I am happy to stay at arm’s length.

It seemed the rest of the over-25 age group of Ibiza residents had also opted for this, as there were air-kisses aplenty and a lot of catching up going on during the break between bands. Downstairs was quite a stereotypical Ibiza Rocks crowd – plenty of Top Shop, H&M fashions on display and disturbingly, too many shirts off on sweaty boys for Miss W’s liking!

The Streets themselves seemed to cause absolute pandemonium amongst the youngsters down below - at one point Mike Skinner suggested everyone on a balcony throw rolls of toilet paper into the crowd (quite a festive looks, surprisingly) to much glee, and after obeying this suggestion, it was only a matter of seconds before half the crowd responded to his cries of, ‘Jump in the pool! Jump in the pool!’

While Miss W herself would NEVER EVER be so mentally unstable as to jump fully clothed into a pool full of mushy toilet roll and sweaty lager louts, I must say that I enjoyed the spectacle form my lofty position on the balcony.

And more to the point, enjoyed telling the tale for the rest of the night!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The totally up-for-anything attitude of the Ibiza Rocks crowd combined with the cheeky antics of The Streets – the toilet paper flying and hundreds of fully clothed punters in the pool put smiles on the faces of even the most cynical Ibiza types.
THE BAD: The slippery, soggy mess of a foyer once the pool jumpers finally made their exit – not a good look and even quite dangerous, even if it meant a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some people.
THE GOSSIP: We were surprised Ibiza Rocks Hotel management didn’t see the hijacking of the swimming pool coming and hire more security for the event – or perhaps they did and simply saw it as an amazing publicity stunt?

16/08/08: Happy 4th Birthday Blue Marlin!

2008-08-17T17:50:00.003+02:00

No sooner had I started raving about the virtues of a quiet Saturday night in Ibiza then I was presented with an action-packed schedule with events on either side of the island. Luckily for Miss W, a Very Generous White-ette With A Car was on hand to drive her back and forth from each event (thanks White-ette!), meaning there was plenty of time to touch up mascara in the rear-vision mirror (not while she was using it of course) and slip into a different pair of shoes on the journey.

After bidding farewell to the All Saints crew at Atzaro we made a beeline for the pebbly shores of Cala Jondal. The occasion? The fourth anniversary of the opening of Blue Marlin – and for us, it was a very happy return indeed.

Sadly, Miss W missed the sit-down dinner for 200 due to her previous engagement, however I can safely guess, based on my many previous dining experiences at Blue Marlin, that the food was delectable, the service impeccable and each and every guest left the table satisfied. In fact, I’d be willing to place bets on it!

The chilled out music set the perfect scene for the bikini-clad models parading up and down the red carpet (who’d have thought, two fashion parades in one evening in Ibiza) and Miss W intends to head back to the Blue Marlin boutique in the daylight hours to try some of the cute designs for herself. It’s halfway through the summer and I’m yet to buy any new swimwear, so this gave me the perfect inspiration.

Other standout highlights included an incredible gasp-worthy fire display, including girls eating fire – a talent Miss W can safely say she will leave to the professionals and of course, Blue Marlin’s wonderfully attentive bar staff looking after our every need, before we even knew we needed anything!

We’re already starting to wonder how they’ll top this for the fifth birthday extravaganza next season!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The party was still in full swing when Miss W made her exit just before 4am – it’s great to see a beach bar managing to bridge the gap between daytime dining and clubbing culture so well.
THE BAD: Miss W spied some wannabe models grabbing bottles of champagne from the bar and traipsing (err, stumbling and falling) down to the beach to indulge – don’t you know girls, when the bubbles are free-flowing, it’s much classier to wait for your glass to be topped up?
THE GOSSIP: There seemed to be a large contingent of ‘look-at-me’ types amongst the generally chilled Blue Marlin set today – could it be that the Euro-trash have finally stumbled upon our little secret? Let’s hope their appearance was just a one-off…

16/08/08: All Saints Fashion Show @ Atzaro

2008-08-17T13:17:00.001+02:00

Saturday nights in Ibiza are traditionally reserved for some downtime - a few quiet drinks, catching up with friends in the port, perhaps a quick pop-in visit to one of the many local nights at the major clubs, but all-in-all, nothing to write home about.

So Miss W was very excited to receive an invitation - printed on an über-cool black and white postcard - to tonight’s exclusive sneak preview of All Saints’ new season collection at Atzaro. We all know I have a soft spot for All Saints (who doesn’t?) and that my wardrobe is peppered with pieces from it’s rock-chick collections, so the opportunity to see what I could use my credit card on next month was simply too good to pass up.

With performances by local favourite one-man-electronic-dance-band Paper Cut and Pacha darlings Goldfish on the schedule, this was one ibiza fashion party geared towards the island spirit - less champagne and canapés and more dancing til dawn. Add to that the fact that our new favourite artist, Roseline de Thelin had just unveiled her latest collection of fibre-optic light installations at Atzaro and there were three more reasons to head into the countryside.

You could spot the All Saints crew from the minute you walked into the bar area, by their signature All Saints style - figure flattering and flowy frocks, fluoro brights mixed with tougher camo-colours, skinny jeans and statement jewellery. My pick? A stunning multi-coloured dress that Miss W would tempted to splash her cash on if she wasn’t worried about being upstaged by manager Suzie Davies, who was literally glowing as she swanned about the event showing off the piece to perfection!

From the Pacha head-honchos and visiting journalists to local DJs and the White-ettes (of course), the who’s who of the island were dotted around the pond, sipping mojitos and nibbling on sushi in a very civilised manner indeed.

Next door, Roseline’s installations were drawing in admirers like magnets thanks to clever production and the luminous glow coming from the room - with the combination of beautiful people and spectacular lighting Miss W thought it looked the whole event looked like a fashion shoot just waiting to happen actually.

Not such a bad idea for next season’s collection…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: It’s nice to see a local boutique getting the island involved in fashion on this scale! We’d like to see more events like this in the future.
THE BAD: Miss W noticed a few of the guests mingling in the area where Roseline de Thelin’s light installations and sadly, also noticed them posing for photographs entwined in the fiber optic strands - it may have been a party but show some respect for the artist please!
THE GOSSIP: Though the party was a hit, the fashion parade itself was almost a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it affair. There were no changes for the models after they swanned around the pool, simply one outfit each. Miss W couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps the remainder of the new season collection was stuck in transit after the many public holidays Ibiza has just experienced?

13/08/08: Manumission Museum Opening

2008-08-14T00:07:00.001+02:00

You know Miss W has ALWAYS harboured a secret desire to be a Manumission girl, right? You’ve seen them, sassy, sexy, saucy and skinny, weaving their way through town, flaunting amazing make-up and overly stylised hairdos before heading up to Amnesia to minx around on stage, revelling in their own hotness?

So you can imagine how much I was looking forward to tonight’s opening of the Manumission Museum, a little slice of history wedged between Bar Azuli and the popular Italian haunt Noctambula in the Sa Penya barrio of Ibiza Town.

As I stepped through the doorway, I was greeted by a macabre (yet somehow really pretty - how did they manage that?) antique doll hanging by a noose - there was no doubt I had arrived at the Manumission Museum!

Mike and Claire Manumission were outside, flitting from table to table, greeting friends, visitors and staff from past and present and Miss W couldn’t help but notice Manu-dwarf-in-residence Johnny Golden’s not-so-pint-sized belly poking out from beneath his worn ‘I’ve got a friend in Jesus’ t-shirt (a remnant from the days of the infamous Manumission Motel). Perhaps a sign Manumission has been good to him over the years?

The first section of the museum features a selection of metal headpieces from Manuel Albarran, the designer slash artist who created the metal couture pieces modelled in the Coney Island Review show. Mainly consisting of bronze and silver eye masks of different shapes, sizes and adornment, I’m lusting after a gorgeous bronzed fascinator with exquisite detailed leaves sprouting from the sides.

Through the next doorway, a fashion store, which (if I must be completely honest) didn’t seem to have any relation to Manumission whatsoever. Don’t get me wrong - great clothes, fab accessories but the relevance was lost on me.

It was through the third door that the real museum came to life - a small, cell-like space (with the exhibition behind bars) packed with framed posters, a collage of flyers, books, magazines, photographs, signs, t-shirts, pieces of sets (including a larger than life skeleton) and just general memorabilia. According to the many Manu-clad staff lingering around, everything on display is available to buy, meaning you can own your very own piece of Manumission.

Nice, but will it help me get a part in the show?

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The gorgeous burlesque styling of Claire Manumission and the opportunity to check out photos of her from years gone by - she’s totallymy new Ibiza icon.
THE BAD: The space itself seemed rather small - I was expecting more mannequins and costumes, but now I come to think of it, Manumission girls tend to be near-naked so perhaps there’s not a lot to display!
THE GOSSIP: Miss W heard whispers that the Museum was created to find a home for the abundance of Manumission errr, stuff, that was previously stored in Privilege’s basement. Although Amnesia went all out rebuilding the terrace for Manumission’s residency, stretching to a few storage cabinets wasn’t part of the new deal.

10/08/08: Space’s 19th Birthday & We Love Sundays 10th Anniversary

2008-08-11T14:32:00.001+02:00

The annual Space birthday party is as much of a celebration as the opening and closing parties, and combined with the tenth anniversary of We Love Sundays, 20 years of acid house and the Chemical Brothers first DJ set in Ibiza in 14 years, after doing the math Miss W knew this was one occasion she would be crazy to miss.

But before the event had even begun, I was faced with a dilemma – yes, those of you who know me well enough by now will know that it was as simple as ‘whatever-am-I-going-to-wear?’ Waking up early in anticipation, I hotfooted it down to my favourite rock chic boutique, All Saints to snap up something suitable for the occasion only to find to my dismay, that it is closed on Sundays.

The sheer panic and terror this caused me was almost enough to make me stay in for the evening however a quick phone call to the wonderful, amazing and ultra-understanding store manager quickly proved to be a life-saving idea as Miss W was treated to a shopping session behind closed doors at All Saints, emerging in an orange and grey sequinned shift dress so striking it would put Edie Sedgewick to shame. All I can say is, thank you All Saints, you were truly my saviour! I owe you one… in fact, I think I owe you more than one!

Next up, all I had to do was shimmy my way into Space!

Thankfully, I was whisked inside the club avoiding the mammoth queues outside and directly into the exclusive VIP are set up specifically for the Chemical Brothers performance, with plenty of time to catch the always-amazing Nic Fanciulli – who, rumour has it is about to become a full-time island resident – warming up the eager crowd.

The dance floor appeared to be in the throes of sheer pandemonium – in a good way – when the duo finally took control of the decks, complete with spectacular laser displays that wouldn’t have been out of place at a full scale rave. Thankfully for us, this was a much more civilised affair, complete with the obligatory Ibiza celebs making an appearance and giving us more to look at than simply two nerds in a DJ booth full of equipment – you know the drill, a Jagger here, a Mossy there… even Lily Allen was spied shying away from the cameras in the DJ booth, bopping along to her boyfriend’s (in case you didn’t know she’s the other half of Ed Chemical) big beat electronic sounds all night long.

All in all, it was a fiesta that made history and Miss W was happy to have been part of it – along with the ensuing after party. I’m dying to tell you about all the real action taking place here – but sadly, I am completely sworn to secrecy. Most of it is unprintable anyway – I’ll leave it up to your imaginations…

THE LOWDOWN

THE GOOD: Dancing with Kate Moss in the exclusive VIP area behind the DJ booth in the discoteca while Chemical Brothers played – could the cool factor be upped any more? I think not…
THE BAD: Weaving one’s way in and out of the club – there were so many people rammed into the room that it was virtually impossible to go anywhere – thank goodness for Miss W’s VIP privileges.
THE GOSSIP: Pop princess Lily Allen was overheard talking in the private Space bathrooms whilst wiping off her signature bright lipstick. ‘I know I’m an icon but I shouldn’t have to wear this every day.’ No one’s forcing your hand Lily!

08/08/08: Leah Tilbury’s birthday party @ Ocho Brasserie

2008-08-08T02:31:00.001+02:00

It may have been the Santa Maria festival everywhere else on the island tonight, but at our new favourite ibiza restaurant, Ocho, it was more like the festival of eight! The date itself, 08/08/08 is enough reason for a party but combined with owner Leah Tilbury’s birthday, this was more than just your regular fiesta.

The invitations said 10pm and when Miss W and the White-ettes arrived at a prompt 10.15pm (no wardrobe dilemmas tonight!), the spacious and colourfully lit car park was already almost filled to capacity, giving an indication of the festivities to come.

Upon entry, we were greeted with an icy cold glass of cava from our ever-so-gracious host John Broekman, who whispered to Miss W that he’d refrained from inviting anyone himself as between the birthday girl and her sister, celebrity make-up artists Charlotte Tilbury, there was a fair chance the entire population of the island could be descending on the new venue in one evening!

With delicious canapés including teriyaki chicken and beef, mini-quiches and shots of gazpacho being bypassed in favour of the free-flowing wine and champagne, it was obvious that within half an hour that eating was probably the last thing on most people’s agendas – these people were here to par-tay! Thankfully, all of the tables from the stunning courtyard had been cleared away for a makeshift dance floor, which DJ Antz had grooving to funky disco sounds from the minute they arrived.

What Miss W did note was the friendly, family type atmosphere, with plenty of the island’s teenagers getting amongst the dance floor action – in outfits that actually had me drooling in envy to tell the truth! Think it may be time for a wardrobe revamp if that’s what the kids are wearing these days – I felt downright dowdy in my dated sass+bide boho-chic white (of course) frock.

Speaking of wardrobes, Leah herself was looking resplendent in a flowing maxi-dress that twirled as she flitted throughout the crowd – I could be wrong, but I think I spied a very similar design in Ocho’s boutique for those wanting to imitate the birthday girl’s style!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The completely up-for-it crowd. Forget milling around making small talk, the dance floor was heaving within a mere 20 minutes into the party.
THE BAD: As thrilled I was to be at the exclusive soiree, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret at missing out on the fireworks in the port at the same time. But then again, fireworks come every year and this particular date only comes once in a lifetime – well, once in our lifetimes anyway!
THE GOSSIP: The party was held on the 8th of the 8th, 2008 – but Miss W had to wonder why it was scheduled to begin at 10pm… errr, wouldn’t it have been in keeping with the theme to start two hours earlier?

04/08/08: Miss W doth protest!!

2008-08-04T02:26:00.001+02:00

Before this story gets started, Miss W must tell you she is totally not one for conflict. Hate it. Avoid it at all costs. Just not my thing. I’d rather smile and nod and then go home and whinge about it later (sorry, I know that is totally uncool, but I’m just telling you how it is).

So there I was, just going about my business, strolling down Vara De Rey with a café con leche in my hands, ready to do some serious damage on my credit card in the sales when I noticed a bit of a commotion in the square. Apart from the usual vagrants milling around there seemed to be quite a few – no, make that quite a lot of the island’s most well-known residents looking as though they were there with a purpose that was probably a lot more focused than my idea of shopping for something I didn’t even know I wanted yet!

Being the curious cat that I am, I wandered into the square to enquire of my friends just what it is they were all doing in one place – since a lot of these characters were totally creatures of the night, it seemed a little strange seeing them in daylight. And lo and behold, if Miss W hadn’t walked smack bang into the middle of a peaceful protest, against the new laws preventing daytime parties and the closure of DC10.

While DC10 may not be everyone’s cup of tea, Miss W does believe that by closing it and prohibiting dancing in the daytime, the government seems to have curbed one of the most amazing aspects about Ibiza, which is the freedom to do what you want, when you want, with whoever you want. And so it was with this attitude in mind that I forgot my quest for the perfect pair of killer red high heels and joined the protest march, chanting ‘LIBERTAD! LIBERTAD!’ in unison with the crowd until I actually lost my voice – today I am sounding very husky indeed (something my Semi-Boyfriend finds incredibly sexy and I just find downright annoying!)

From the square in Vara De Rey down to the port gates where the crowd sat down in protest, air horns ablaring, and adjacent car stereos providing the soundtrack, then onto Isador Macabich and coming full circle (well, it’s more of a square but you get my point) back into Plaza Del Parque, at one point there was practically a media frenzy trying to capture the moment, with the DC10 crew in full force (who were conveniently available given the fact it was a Monday), complete with girls in skimpy outfits and tiaras, tattoo covered security and gorgeously tanned and smiling bar staff in the centre of the action waving DC10 flags.

Miss W must admit, by embracing my inner Yoko, I had one of the most fun afternoons ever – no invitation required!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The positive energy and smiles all round from protestors – surely an indication that the clubs and laws in question are affecting the good citizens of the island as well as the bad?
THE BAD: The numbers. While 500 or so people is a good turnout, Miss W was surprised that the DC10 army of thousands didn’t turn out to support their cause and ultimately make a difference – sadly, it looks at this stage as though the club is destined to be closed for yet another 12 months.
THE GOSSIP: There seemed to be no one person actually leading the protest, meaning it took a good couple of hours before it kicked off. We needed a hero to start a chant and a march right from the outset…

01/08/08: Es Vive Hotel Thai Buffet

2008-08-02T13:49:00.000+02:00

I don’t know if I’ve ever told you this before, but my favourite food in the entire world is Thai. I could eat Pad Thai for breakfast, Panang Curry for lunch and Tom Yum soup for dinner every single night of my life. Though the fact I don’t live in Thailand means indulging these cravings is kind of difficult – I mean, Ibiza boasts a few very good Thai restaurants, but with so many other things on the social schedule, it’s a little hard to visit them every day!

And between you and me, with so many other fabulous restaurants on the island, I guess I don’t really want to limit myself to just one style of food anyway.

So you can imagine Miss W’s sheer delight when she discovered that Es Vive hotel throws open it’s gorgeous turquoise gates every Friday for an all-you-can-eat Thai buffet! Now, while the idea of all-you-can-eat buffets generally conjures up some Homer Simpson-esque imagery in my mind, I was so excited at the idea of filling my Thai quota in one afternoon that I donned my Camilla kaftan (you know a kaftan is the ideal outfit when you plan to eat a lot, as the flowy-ness hides any unsightly tummy bulges!) and hotfooted it down to the hotel.

The smells wafting from the woks set up beside the poolside DJ had my mouth watering before I’d even walked through the gates and I couldn’t get myself to the rice cooker fast enough. Bypassing the obligatory small talk with everyone I knew – which is not like Miss W at all – I made a beeline for the chicken Panang curry and then settled down into a comfy lounge chair and began to socialise!

It seemed as though the entire hotel was taken over by island residents rather than guests, which is a testament to the quality of food if you ask me. Miss W was grateful for the kaftan, as she made multiple trips back and forth for amazing green curry, pad thai and much more, sizzling fresh on the flaming woks all afternoon.

Miss W was also pleased to note her new favourite island resident DJ, Mr Doris, was behind the decks, providing a funk-soul soundtrack to the afternoon. And speaking of DJs, it seemed anyone who was anyone in the English clubbing fraternity was there and there were quite a few DJs – not mentioning an names – who looked suspiciously like they were still going from the night before, meaning there was more lounging and less eating going on than Miss W expected!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Thai food. All-you-can-eat. Enough said.
THE BAD: The August heat made indulging in spicy food in the sun by the pool just a little too difficult. While there’s plenty of shade underneath the canopies and umbrellas, I think this may be an experience best left for later in the day rather than lunchtime. Thankfully, the buffet goes until 9pm!
THE GOSSIP: Hotel hot-shot and Base Bar main man Jason Bull was nowhere to be seen… maybe the energetic dynamo does actually get some sleep every now and again!

31/07/08: Miss W does the sales…

2008-07-31T20:14:00.002+02:00

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Actually, maybe I should keep this one to myself. Or maybe not. But then again, that would be completely selfish of me wouldn’t it?

Oh OK, here goes. While Ibiza may be famous for parties, beautiful restaurants and beaches there’s a special event that in-the-know islanders look forward to as the season reaches its peak each year – and no, it’s not the arrival of thousands of Italian tourists in August (Italians are always so beautifully well-groomed and styled, don’t you think?), it’s the beginning of the retail sales season.

There. I’ve said it. From the last week in July, retailers – from high fashion to high street - in Ibiza get out their big black marker pens and start dramatically reducing the prices of their summer stock in order to make way for the winter collections. Thankfully for us, this means huge discounts on summer fashion, right in the middle of summer and all the more reason to flex the plastic fantastic!

So today, Miss W got out her trusty diary and made a hit list of stores – Revolver, for that See by Chloe silk blouse I’ve had my eye on; Arias, for those Barbie pink aviator sunglasses that have been calling my name from the window display for weeks; Mayurka for, well, anything I can get my hands on really and then I plan to spend the rest of the strolling through the old town (and then venturing into the new) looking for those wardrobe updates I so desperately need. I mean, a girl can’t possibly be seen wearing the same frock twice in one season these days, you know?

Oh, and the reason I want to guard this secret so fiercely? Well, apart from the fact that nabbing the best pieces and the most bargains myself is of the highest priority, I love the fact that the Ibiza sales are a totally civilised shopping experience – there are no elbows digging into you as you reach for that leopard print bikini and no queues as you head towards the cash register and I fear that once my secret is out, those days will be long gone and we’ll see sales hysteria like the UK or the states reach our fair shores. So promise me you’ll keep this just between you and me?

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Up to 70 per cent discount on summer collections in the middle of the season is sensational. Anywhere else in the world you’d be looking at winter already but no so in sunny Ibiza…
THE BAD: When the one item of clothing you’ve been lusting after for weeks is on sale at a dramatically low price but isn’t available in your size – talk about depressing!
THE GOSSIP: Retail activity is currently down on the island and Miss W seemed to feel as though the sales weren’t quite as good value as previous years – perhaps the penny pinching means store owners can’t offer as big a discount in order to make up for lack of profits this year?

30/07/08: El Ayoun CD launch

2008-07-30T07:54:00.000+02:00

Celebrating their tenth birthday this year means El Ayoun have the perfect excuse for a summer-long season of parties and tonight marked the launch of their very own signature CD as part of the celebrations.

The usual suspects were on hand for an exclusive pre-release listening party, with El Ayoun’s resident DJ Angel Cielo on hand to man the decks and get the dance floor grooving, proudly playing tracks from his brand new creation, a glossy CD with El Ayoun’s signature luxe black and gold adorning the cover – now on high rotation on Miss W’s car stereo and iPod playlists thank you very much!

As always, the service at El Ayoun was exceptional, with the super-attentive bar staff working overtime to ensure their guests never went thirsty and although Miss W didn’t book a table for dinner this evening, the restaurant seemed to be humming and buzzing with activity before diners moved from dinner to drinks - you know the drill. Delicious cocktails followed by dancing til dawn is El Ayoun’s speciality and tonight certainly did not disappoint.

Owner Charles seemed to be schmoozing and socialising wherever Miss W and the White-ettes went, from Privado to the crowded terrace and through to Miss W’s new favourite part of the venue, the uber-cool Club Sushi lounge (where Miss W also spied German techno king Sven Vath tucking into some late-night snacks) – one thing I can say is that the man certainly knows how to host a party. Have you ever heard of anyone not having a good time at El Ayoun? I rest my case.

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Seeing El Ayoun’s outdoor terrace completely packed on a balmy summer’s night, just the way we like it!
THE BAD: Finding parking in San Rafael is getting to be a bit of a nuisance now summer is in full swing – navigating the walk from the car to El Ayoun in heels is not a joy unless you manage to swing a space in the carpark next door…
THE GOSSIP: Miss W heard whispers that a printing errors and late courier deliveries were responsible for the lack of CDs being given away in El Ayoun on the night, but luckily still managed to get her hands on one of the hotly anticipated pre-release copies…

29/07/08: Quantum Yoga

2008-07-29T21:03:00.000+02:00

Recently a certain White-ette mentioned to Miss W that there were some all-new drop-in yoga classes being held on the terrace at the divine Macao On The Rocks and suggested we try it out, being bikini season and all. She also happened to mention this fact to me during one of my short-lived detoxes (yes, oddly Miss W is prone to starting a health kick during the silly summer season in Ibiza) so it seems I have agreed to get out of bed at silly o’clock (that’s just actually before 10am) today and head to the pebbly shores of Es Codolar to test out Quantum Yoga with expert instructor Lara Baumann.

Not being much of an exercise bunny at the best of times (I mean seriously, we live in Ibiza. Isn’t dancing enough?) meant I was plagued with the same old question I deal with each and every time I leave the house – whatever am I going to wear?

Now let me say this about that. Dressing for seaside yoga is not an easy task when your wardrobe consists of frocks, tops, kaftans, bikinis, an assortment of denim and a plethora of sandals, flip flops and cowboy boots – all I can say is thank god yoga is a barefoot sport (though I’m not sure that you should call it a sport?) since I REALLY couldn’t have fudged the footwear. I managed to dig out a pair of cute stretchy hotpants – left over from my days as a wannabe Manumission girl – and teamed it with a lovely yellow smiley face promo t-shirt courtesy my good friends at We Love Space (THE current must-have tourist item on the island at the moment BTW) to help me start feeling the positive vibes then my trusty White-ette and I jumped into the White-mobile and away we went!

From the minute we pulled into Es Codolar I was overcome with a sense of calm – the turquoise water and glossy grey pebbles are like something straight out of a movie set (and we all know how much Miss W loves a starring role) and the fact that the beach is virtually empty at this hour meant my self consciousness about doing yoga in public completely dissipated. Facing the sea, on the wooden terrace of Macao were our mats, and with the sound of the water lapping the shore along with the twittering birds and crickets, it really was enough to make me feel like Gwyneth Paltrow before I’d even attempted a downward dog!

According to the press material, Quantam Yoga is ‘a flowing dynamic form that supports the creative construction of vinyasa yoga sequences ideally suited to the individual.’ According to Miss W, it’s a really enjoyable free-flowing series of postures (that are as relatively easy or as strenuous as you choose to make them) combined with a special breathing technique that inspired me to want to continue with the practice in order to be able to contort myself into the peak pose, the ‘King Pigeon’ – which looks a whole lot more elegant than it sounds – just like my new guru, Lara had demonstrated with ease, grace and a smile on her face.

But judging by my aches, pains and grimaces as I sit at the computer now, looks like I have a long way to go just yet…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Jumping in the sea directly after finishing the class and swimming straight out to the trampoline like pontoon just off shore for a sneaky sunbathe before heading back to the office. Oh - and did I mention that the classes are followed by a divine breakfast at Macao? Heavenly!
THE BAD: My total lack of flexibility – ouch! Looks like I’ll need to work on that a little if I want to become a yogi like Lara…
THE GOSSIP: Lara is about to release the third in her series of Quantum Yoga CDs, in conjunction with some amazing Ibiza DJs including Sven Vath, Bushwacka! and Rob Marmot. But can techno and yoga really go hand in hand? Only time will tell – that’s if the eagerly awaited delivery of CDs arrives on the island in time for her launch party on Saturday night! Fingers, arms and legs crossed (in a yoga-fied manner of course) for you Lara…

18/07/08: Nassau Beach Club

2008-07-18T22:46:00.001+02:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Ibiza? No sooner have you come home from a day on the beach at Blue Marlin with the White-ettes than a Very Special Friend invites you to spend the following day with them at the island’s hottest new beach bar slash restaurant, Nassau Beach Club. Quite frankly, Miss W thinks it would be rude not to, so off to Playa D’en Bossa she went!

Now, before I get too carried away raving about how fabulous my day was, let me start by telling you that I had a few pre-conceived notions about Playa D’en Bossa, most of which involved a certain beach club that had always put me off visiting the area - to each their own, but it’s just not Miss W’s taste. So it was with hesitation that I selected my outfit for the day, my latest splurge, a Missoni bikini combined with a gorgeous Antik Batik kaftan and the piece de resistance, a HUGE black Jackie O style oversized floppy hat, intended to hide my identity rather than risk being discovered in the PDB hood.

But no sooner had we been escorted to our plush sun loungers in the white sand (so far away from That Other Place it was practically another world) than I whipped off my hat, flicked my hair back into place and couldn’t wait to see who might spot me sitting (oh, ok I was totally posing) in this prime position - I can tell you right now that Nassau is seriously THE new place to be seen. Yes folks, Playa D’en Bossa has a new player in town and Miss W wants to be on their team.

Or at the very least, be a member of the cheer squad!

From the minute I started to feel peckish, freshly made wan-tans seemed to magically appear on the table by my sunbed and no sooner than my throat felt parched than an icy and spicy Bloody Mary materialised for my sipping pleasure (though to tell you the truth, I suspect my Very Special Friend may have been in cahoots with the waiter to ensure the drinks and the food kept a-coming! Either way, I was in heaven!). The only extra thing I could have asked for was a good looking lifeguard to come and fan me down when the temperature started to rise - though I suspect that would probably be a tad excessive, especially when crystal clear water like this is just metres in front of you!

After a few hours spent working hard at our tans, we relocated to the ibiza restaurant to indulge in a late lunch - the goat’s cheese salad is simply out of this world - followed by my favourite pastime, a spot of retail therapy.

Nassau’s boutique managed to put a serious dent in Miss W’s credit card - most notably with a sheer black paisley jumpsuit from Reina & Roses and a beautiful bronze necklace that seems to perfectly accentuate my hard earned tan - before she managed to drag herself back to the sunbed.

Would it be wrong of me to come back tomorrow wearing them both?

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The delectable ice creams served at Nassau are (almost) better than a frozen dacquiri as a way to beat the summer heat. Actually, the entire dessert cabinet gets my vote - yummo!
THE BAD: The fact that the day beds are completely booked out before the sun has even reached its peak - it’s just not good for the skin to be out in the sun during those hours but then again, missing out on one of those plush, comfy beds seems like a fate worse than sunburn!
THE GOSSIP: Eyeing off the staff at Nassau is a little bit like watching fashion TV - all exceptionally good looking and incredibly well dressed, however Miss W couldn’t fail to notice the lack of Roberto Cavalli uniforms in the house… perhaps today was casual Friday?

17/07/08: B.For Planet Sushi opening

2008-07-18T11:14:00.001+02:00

It seems to Miss W that Ibiza has really been growing up lately. Not in a coming-of-age way - she did that years ago, with the advent of the VIP and concierge culture. No, this time I mean it’s more like a girl in her late twenties suddenly realising that she no longer wants to wear boob tubes and cowboy boots and swapping her glitter eyeshadow for stylish-yet-understated Chanel eye make-up. I think what I’m trying to say here is that I’m really loving Ibiza’s recent style makeover.

We’ve seen dated old buildings become stylishly rendered apartment blocks, simple beachwear shops become sophisticated and in demand designer labels and dodgy old cafes morph into stunningly restored restaurants and none achieving this last feat better than Ibiza’s newest addition to the great sushi lounge invasion of 2008, B.For Planet Sushi.

Taking what was once a non-descript café-cum-restaurant dominating the ground floor of a dated white apartment building on a pretty boring stretch of road famous only for its resident super club, the infamous high-end sushi train (excuse the pun!) and converting it into an ultra-modern restaurant and lounge bar that wouldn’t be out of place in New York, London, Sydney or Tokyo, it looks like Planet Sushi are on a roll.

All jokes aside, you won’t find any tacky sushi trains here - Miss W was pleased to note the striking wooden decks, complete with sparkling-yet subtle lights on the open air terrace, with a slick and streamlined interior including a softly illuminated bar area, following in the footsteps of its predecessors around the world.

Who was there? Who wasn’t! Another occasion for the social butterflies of the White Isle to catch up - all in the name of work for Miss W - though thankfully now the season is in full swing, conversations have turned to how summer is progressing rather than what our winter adventures were like and what the summer has in store - about time!

THE GOOD: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. A girl can NEVER have too much sushi. Welcome to the neighbourhood Planet Sushi, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship…
THE BAD: The invite only event may have had free flowing wine but wasn’t so generous with the main event - and yes I’m talking about sushi! While Miss W is no freeloader, it does seem a little strange to invite Ibiza’s A-List for a tasting and then ask them to cough up for the bill, don’t you think?
THE GOSSIP: The talk (in conspiratorial hush-hush tones of course) of the evening was just how a certain very famous nightclub that happens to be just a few hundred metres down the road and boasts it very own sushi bar would deal with the shiny new kid on the block as competition. Miss W says just wait and see - she believes that certain nightclub never misses a trick! Oh - and whatever is that name all about anyway?

14/07/08: Miss W’s birthday!

2008-07-15T11:04:00.001+02:00

Well, darned if I wasn’t just thinking that I was getting a little too old for clubbing and then my very own birthday rolled around yet again - it doesn’t feel like a year since the last one and yet I’m POSITIVE I still don’t look a day over 27! Wouldn’t you agree?

Miss W is certainly not one to let a birthday pass quietly or unannounced so an extra special fiesta was organised in my honour - for which a very big thank you goes out to My Very Special Housemate - at one of my favourite beachside locations, S’Estanyol.

There’s nothing better than a l-o-n-g, leisurely late lunch with about 30 of your closest mates, all digging into the mouth-wateringly delicious paella and drowning jugs of delicious sangria followed by the ceremonious verses of ‘happy birthday to you’ sung in unison with ‘cumpleanos feliz’ - a treat for all your senses.

And you know, Miss W does love the ritual of unwrapping a present (or two)!

Once the sun went down, My Very Famous DJ Friend jumped behind the decks - though sadly they wouldn’t play any Kylie Minogue for me, even though it was my very special birthday request - until around 2am, when it was time to relocate the party, just a hop, skip and a bumpy car ride down the dirt road to Pacha, where Roger Sanchez’s Release Yourself was in full swing.

The highlights? A White-ette doing her very best Pacha dancer impersonations (though thankfully she refrained from climbing into the life-sized champagne glass on the roof!), a Certain Club Promoter doing their best to try and sweet talk one of Pacha’s resident DJs to play at a rival club and a White-ette’s Wonderful Boyfriend saving the day (or night) and driving Miss W home when there were no taxis to be found - thank you ever so much!

Even though it was technically a school night, I managed to skip home through the cobbled streets of Dalt Vila just in time to catch the views of the stunning sunrise from my balcony (a view which never ceases to amaze me), while getting plenty of birthday love from my (most likely just hungry) new kitten and my beautiful (but grumpy) old cat.

Aren’t birthdays in Ibiza just fabulous? I may have to make like Alice In Wonderland and throw myself an ‘un-birthday’ party next week so I can do it all again!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: All my wonderful extravagant gifts… errr, I mean, all my wonderful generous friends!
THE BAD: Well, though I am loathe to complain about anything on my birthday, I must admit that the art of the birthday cake seems to be lost on the Spanish bakeries. It’s fruit flan or fake cream all the way here in ibiza - but all I really wanted was a batch of Magnolia Bakery style cupcakes!
THE GOSSIP: All eyes were on Miss W’s Kind Of Boyfriend tonight in anticipation of the gifts he would bestow - but Miss W will have to report on that later as he turned up to my soiree empty handed… I’m presuming he’ll be making up for it later?

08/07/08: Carl Cox Opening Party

2008-07-09T12:03:00.000+02:00

What do you mean there are more opening parties? Don’t these people know it’s July already? Seriously, how many new outfits can a girl continue to buy? Actually, now that I think of it, there are seven clubs, each open seven nights, each of which will be having an opening party - you do the math!

Looks like Miss W had better start saving her euros for the closing party wardrobe pretty soon then!

OK, so I may have gotten just a little off topic, but the fact of the matter is, the opening parties just keep on coming. Tonight marks the opening of everyone’s favourite techno DJ’s legendary party at Space, and I’m talking about none other than the big man himself, Carl Cox. With just a few of his very favourite friends (tonight, Green Velvet and James Lavelle) on hand to help out behind the decks - so very kind of them.

What I love most about Carl’s party is that you get the chance to experience Space in all its glory, without missing out on any of the musical action, thanks to the fact Mr Cox plays two sets - one on the sunset terrace before midnight and another - the most highly anticipated on - inside the packed discotek much later on. There’s no freaking out about rushing between rooms or stressing about set times - this really is the clubber’s party.

As in previous years, when the main room has reached its peak, a giant white sheet is thrown across the heads (more likely, the raised arms) on the entire dancefloor, enveloping them in a parachute like cocoon bubble. If Miss W didn’t have her Kind Of Boyfriend on hand to keep her protected she may have gotten a little claustrophobic, but as it stands, managed to get into the spirit of things and scream and cheer enthusiastically as it was whipped off!

Of course, after all the excitement (and the slight moment where I almost panicked in sheer terror), I needed to retire to the comfort of the VIP area and sip on a champers whilst having my shoulders massaged to calm my nerves.

Maybe Miss W is getting just a tad too old for all this clubbing malarky?

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: While Carl has plenty of famous friends gracing the decks, he’s also supporting a lot of fresh talent. Miss W was particularly impressed with a young lad going by the name of Mr Doris, spinning the wheels of steel on the Premier Etage all night long. The guy has a seriously amazing music collection and will be playing here every week so be sure to check him out.
THE BAD: The fact that the party only goes for nine weeks. What’s wrong with playing an extended summer like everyone else?
THE GOSSIP: The hype surrounding Carl Cox’s ‘friends’. Is it really possible that each and every one of those ultra-famous DJs is actually a good mate or is it simply a gimmick to promote the amazing line-ups? Miss W hears from her Very Reliable Source that it is indeed the truth, and all DJs mentioned on the flyer have at some point been round to Carl’s place for tea! Bless…

08/07/08: Beach Azuli @ Sol Den Serra

2008-07-09T10:24:00.000+02:00

After an impressive debut in June, Beach Azuli returned to Sol Den Serra for the second in their series of not-so-secret beach parties and Miss W was on hand for the duration of the event in the interests of quality control of course.

From the 4pm kick-off time it was clear that Azuli weren’t going to have any problem filling the venue, with streams of cars and taxis making a beeline for Cala Llonga to make the most of the afternoon sunshine. There were sparkling kaftans aplenty, enough camera crews to feel like you were at Ibiza’s equivalent of the Cannes Film Festival and the odd local celebrity or two thrown in for good measure.

Miss W was particularly pleased to see White Ibiza’s favourite winemaker Laurent Fresard (with his family flown all the way from France for the occasion!) had managed to secure his very own wine bar on the sand, with the Ibizkus flowing thick and fast to quench the thirst of the many partygoers. And what a pretty sight all those sparkling champagne flutes filled with the striking pink vino made, glittering in the sun! Photo opportunity anyone?

So as for my quality control checks? It was simple. Stunning venue? Check. Beautiful people? Check. Icy mojitos, chilled vibes and the luxury of dancing on soft sand in the sunlight? Check, check and checkmate! When you’re onto a good thing…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Picture perfect weather at a picture perfect venue with a picture perfect crowd - this was an event that could have been featured in the latest edition of Vogue!
THE BAD: The music. While I don’t make any claims to be a music critic, I know what I like and let’s just say the music embellished with live vocals in the late afternoon wasn’t to my taste! Top marks go to to Italian hottie Alex Neri for steering it back on course later on.
THE GOSSIP: Miss W had to wonder why the Sol Den Serra restaurant wasn’t open for the duration of the event and why the gourmet barbeque from the first event had turned into the equivalent of a pricey sausage sizzle? Just because we’re dancing on the sand doesn’t mean we don’t want to nibble on sushi…

07/07/08: Tiesto @ Privilege opening

2008-07-08T20:09:00.000+02:00

While Ibiza seems to be the centre of the dance music universe, Miss W has to admit that the idea of heading to a venue packed full of 10 000 clubbers raving to trance music is not her idea of a good time. In fact, I’d rather poke myself in the eye with a blunt fork to be honest.

Oh sorry - did I just get off on the wrong foot?

What I meant to say was, it was with trepidation that Miss W headed to the World’s Biggest Club, Privilege for the opening party of the award winning ‘Best Global DJ’ Tiesto’s brand spanking new residency. It’s called in search of sunrise, but I’ve got to say, with all the lasers, light shows and visuals going on, it seemed pretty clear to me that this was a NIGHT club in full swing - full to its 10 000 person capacity in fact.

Of course, Miss W had reserved herself a seat in the plush Privilege VIP section, mainly to avoid her toes being trampled on by the hordes - a good pedicure doesn’t come cheap in Ibiza these days you know - and upon arriving at the club just a tad after midnight, I was very glad I had done so. The place was literally packed to the rafters, meaning the VIP was really the only place you could get a little breathing (and dancing) space.

Tonight I have to say, Privilege felt more like a rock stadium than a club to me, thought the music - a cross section of trance, house and chunky techno - was certainly not rocky in any way. I’ve got to admit, combined with the cinema-sized screens, the amazing visuals and the enthusiasm of the crowd (not to mention Tiesto himself), I even got quite into it!

Guess they don’t call him the best for nothing! Apparently it takes an entire day to dismantle the production, so Privilege is closed on Tuesdays. Do you think this means Miss W can take the day off to recover as well?

THE GOOD: Wow. How impressive is Privilege when she’s all dolled up and ready to impress? Seeing Tiesto utilise the venue to its full capacity really turned my opinion of the ultimate super club on its head. I think it’s safe to say I’ll be back!
THE BAD: What to wear? With so many people in one place, it’s almost certain you’ll see someone wearing the same thing as you! Though then again, it’s so huge the chances of running into your fashion twin is quite slim too…
THE GOSSIP: Getting one’s name on a guest list for Tiesto is virtually impossible. Perhaps the massive scale of the production means that every euro is needed to cover costs? It’s certainly something the island’s VIP set are not used to…

03/07/08: BE @ Space opening

2008-07-04T12:47:00.000+02:00

After two very successful practice runs late last season - and yes, Miss W was there to witness them both - there was much speculation as to whether Danny Tenaglia would return the island to begin his own residency at Space this year, and luckily for us, the rumours turned out to be true.

So Thursday nights it is - just when you thought there couldn’t be any more opening parties for Miss W to go to!

So in preparation to see one of New York’s finest, I got dressed up in my New York finest - a super-cool BCBG (but Missoni-esque) poncho purchased in the big apple a few years ago - hailed a cab and then hightailed it over the Space.

(Note to self: ENOUGH with the New York references. Think this may be a sign I’ve watched one too many episodes of Sex And The City this week. Need to get out more. Hmmm, I wonder whether the SATC film will EVER be shown in its original language here in Ibiza? I mean, I’m still learning Spanish, but I certainly don’t think I could keep up with Carrie’s relationships without subtitles to say the least!)

So where was I? That’s right, Space. I was expecting the usual six room extravaganza so was pretty surprised to see only the new terrace in operation when I arrived, but then again, when half the island is turning out simply to see one man, there’s no point trying to program music in the other rooms is there?

While Miss W has been known to linger around DJ booths in her time, there were way too many hangers on around DT tonight - looking like he'd brought his very own New York style entourage - which meant I made a beeline for the VIP area in order to have enough space to dance (quite ironic there was no space on the dance floor, given the name of the club), speedy table service for my drinks and a bird’s eye view of all the action.

The music? Classic Danny Tenaglia, a long and detailed journey through house-flavoured techno (does that make sense to anyone except me?), guaranteed to get you dancing and quite possibly inspire you to snap up DT’s latest album Futurism (Miss W currently has it on high rotation in the car!). The atmosphere? Electric. The punters wanted Danny, and it was pure Danny all the way. All the way down to his dorky cap and toy rave glasses - bless…

THE GOOD: Finally seeing Space building their very own flagship night - and the fact that DT is taking up residency in Ibiza of course!
THE BAD: Oh Danny. Those billboards. Those glasses. Need we say more?
THE GOSSIP: The dancers in the beach and pre-party parades looked suspiciously like a bunch of moonlighting Manumission girls… doesn’t anyone have any loyalty these days?

03/07/08 KM5’s 14th birthday

2008-07-04T12:34:00.000+02:00

No sooner had one birthday bash finished then an invitation arrived in Miss W’s inbox for another - only this time the invite in question was for one of the island’s most established, well, establishments, KM5, celebrating 14 years of glitz, glam and all-round-gorgeousness.

You have to admit, KM5 looks pretty unassuming from its position on the road to San Jose - the building itself is practically camouflaged by greenery and the faded white sign declaring its existence could almost be a road sign declaring your location - well, a hippy-fied and pretty road sign, but you get my drift.

Perhaps that’s why it’s so popular with the locals - it’s almost like an ultra chic hideout from the madness of the island during the tourist season, a place where you can catch up with friends and actually HEAR them speak over the music while your having a conversation - but then when you feel like taking it up a level there’s the dance floor inside so you get the best of both worlds.

But I digress. With a White-ette and her Wonderful Boyfriend in tow, Miss W donned her finest Jade Jagger-esque ensemble (I know it’s a bit of an Ibiza cliché but she really is one of my style icons - just roll with it) of gladiator sandals and a flowing bejewelled kaftan, complete with wavy locks and a spritz of Stella McCartney’s divine rose-scented fragrance just to keep the celebrity association going and hotfooted it to KM5 for a glass or three of celebratory bubbles before heading to Space for the opening of the one and only Danny Tenaglia’s new night.

Once again, the restaurant was completely booked out, each and every tent, lounge and cushion covered space was awash with Ibiza’s beautiful people all getting into the festive spirit. Miss W chose to linger by her favourite part of the garden - right beside the kitsch killer whale bar of course, the perfect spot for people watching as they revolve in and out of each entrance - before heading inside to quickly warm up her dancing shoes before the clock struck midnight (oh OK, I’ll admit it was a wee bit later than that) and she had to make her exit.

So many parties, so little time…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The beautiful, balmy Ibiza weather. The last time Miss W was at KM5 it was blowing a gale, but tonight you couldn’t have sold your soul for a more perfect evening to spend amongst the lush garden settings and under the stars.
THE BAD: Why is it that KM5 events always fall on the same night as another major event on the island? Is it a matter of bad timing or the fact that there’s just too much going on in Ibiza and always something great at KM5 for that matter? Either way, Miss W is looking forward to the next time she can head to KM5 and settle in for the night without having to worry about dashing off to her next engagement!
THE GOSSIP: According to Miss W’s sources, certain restaurant diners were getting just a tad raucous after finishing their meals and rather than give up their seats and move to the crowded bar areas, chose to party at their table. While Miss W is never one to spoil the party, she’s also not one to spoil someone else’s five star meal - a little consideration for those around you is not too much to ask?

01/07/08 Aura’s 3rd birthday

2008-07-02T19:29:00.000+02:00

Miss W was quite taken aback when she received the invite to Aura’s third birthday bash - to be honest, I feel like I’ve been going here practically forever - from good old English style Sunday roasts in the winter to its latest inception as a cosmopolitan tapas and cocktail lounge - who’d have thought this all could have happened in such a short space of time?

Just goes to show that time flies when you’re having fun - especially in Ibiza.

To make up for the fact that she couldn’t really buy a fabulous birthday gift for Aura in honour of the event - I mean really, what do you give the venue that already has everything? - Miss W simply compensated by buying herself a little present for the occasion, in the shape of a fabulous new white cheesecloth maxi-dress straight off the rack in Antik Batik - very Ibiza if I do say so myself!

Resident DJ Nima Gorji - who is one of my all-time favourite local DJs by the way - manoeuvred the wheels of steel to ensure the perfect blend of smooth house grooves and underground sounds, getting not only toes tapping but bodies moving and booties shaking and creating a real party atmosphere from the minute you walked through the door. Special guest Pacha Recordings DJ Mass hopped behind the decks to lend a helping hand and provide his own soundtrack to the event - a move that had me swishing my layers of cheesecloth as if I were a flamenco dancer. Well, a wannabe flamenco dancer if nothing else!

Many guests made the most of the balmy night and lingered outside on the gorgeously lit terrace, while others practically mobbed the bar to get a taste of the fresh new cocktails exclusive to Aura - yes, they are that good! You know I don’t like to play favourites with my beloved bars… but I am almost ready to admit that Aura could well boast the very best cocktails on the island!

Many happy returns indeed Aura from Miss W, the White-ettes and the Token White Male - and may there be many more like it to come!

THE GOOD: The tasty gourmet tapas menu. Miss W must admit she was sad to say goodbye to Aura’s previous menu, but upon sampling the delectable char-grilled duck with peach brochettes - my new all-time favourite food on the island - I can safely say that the all-new Aura is even better than before. Three cheers to executive chef Javier Massetani!
THE BAD: The difficulty in getting home from the north of the island when you don’t have a designated driver. Why do taxis find it so difficult to respond to calls on the island, particularly given the fact they must know there are hundreds of revellers stranded at a venue at the end of an evening?
THE GOSSIP: A certain long-time Aura staffer and a very well-known restaurant manager seemed to be making eyes at each other across the bar all night long, which didn’t go unnoticed by most of the local crew. It’s been all over the rumour mill for the past few years - completely unfounded Miss W might add - however now it seems the timing might be right for these two… Ohhhh, Miss W hopes so indeed!

29/06/08 Blue Marlin Sunday Sessions

2008-06-30T21:04:00.001+02:00

To be honest, though the opening parties are over, Miss W is (shhhhhh!) absolutely shattered. Tired. Needs some time to escape. Wants some secret hours in the sun. So the minute the wonderful team at Blue Marlin mentioned that there was a vacant sun bed on a Sunday, I literally leaped at the offer!

And considering the fact Miss W was responsible for entertaining a couple of Australian journalists for the weekend, it seemed there was no better place to pull up pew (and show off just a little) than Blue Marlin - it’s like maximum effort minimum gain - fun, sun and games all round. So to speak!

Today, Miss W and her crew couldn’t have been more impressed - Ibiza turned on her charm, to incorporate crystal clear warm waters and the sunniest skies imaginable, not to mention the most attentive service from the Blue Marlin crew… all the way down to ensuring my beach umbrella covered my face but not my shoulders. Way to tan guys, thank you!

With a new menu courtesy of Planet Sushi, Miss W was in heaven - sushi is my favourite food in the world you know - and continued to graze all day on the tuna and salmon sashimi on offer, whether in a roll, as part of a tartar salad or simply raw. There’s just something about the beach that pairs so well with sushi, no? Not too heavy, not too light… I almost felt like the Ibiza Goldilocks… juuuuuust right!

Of course, once the sun goes down, Blue Marlin starts to heat up - many of Miss W’s friends seemed to be arriving by the minute to sample the delectable dinner menu, while others were taking note of the Balearic beats supplied courtesy of none other than island Flamenco fave Paco Fernandez - joined on the PA by his son, an experience Miss W was ever-so-happy to have witnessed - make sure you head down there and check it out for yourself next week!

For me, Blue Marlin is the ultimate day out - beach, sunbathing, dining, dancing - what else could a girl want? My journalist friends left the venue with raving reviews (and in fact, one of them was contemplating changing their flight just to come back the next day) and I am 100% in agreeance - this my friends, is A-list Ibiza at its best.

THE GOOD: Location, location, location. Need we say more?
THE BAD: The number of girls who think it’s appropriate to dance topless at a beach restaurant. Maybe Miss W is too much of a prude, but while I’m all for no tan lines, there’s something about jiggling breasts on a dance floor (complete with long beaded necklaces as an accessory) that doesn’t agree with my sangria. Bikinis are a fabulous tw- piece fashion item after all…
THE GOSSIP: There were whispers that a ‘very famous international DJ’ was going to grace the decks today, however it was not to be. Perhaps the PR staff need to tone it down just a notch?

The PBF, shopping and the new addition to Miss W's family

2008-06-26T20:19:00.000+02:00

So…. Miss W has been sooooo busy of late heading to all the club openings that she’d almost forgotten to blog about anything other than a dance floor - my most sincere apologies! However a certain White-ette made a point of pointing out - so to speak - that my Potential Boyfriend seems to have escalated up the ranks to be officially a Boyfriend (ahhh - the term makes me so nervous) and that I seem to have spent my entire salary on fashion items between Vara De Rey and the Croissant Show - which basically mean I’ve got some explaining to do!

Right. Well. Where do I start? The PBF? Well, yes, it seems since the special secret Azuli Beach Party a few weeks ago that we have indeed been seeing a lot more of each other exclusively. Dinners, drinks, VIP rendezvous at club openings, strolls along the beach - aaaah! Yes folks, I think it is time to finally admit that Miss W is off the market. Though I cannot reveal the name of my beloved - you’ll find some subtle references to him in some past entries and I’ll give a prize to anyone who can guess his identity, I can say that I am liking the transition thus far. Keep you posted, I promise!

But apart from that HUGE announcement, the only other thing that seems to been occupying my time between 'actual' boyfriend and club openings is… well… shopping! Well, with this many opening parties, I couldn’t possibly be seen in last season’s frocks!

Speaking of which, but have you checked out Ibiza town lately? Fringed suede sandals, cheesecloth white playsuits, denim vests - it’s like Kate Moss came into town and emptied out her wardrobe. By the way, did you hear that Kate was here last week? In the Rock Bar no less, holding court at the bar with fabbo owners Nick and Bev all night. Why she didn’t call me to catch up for a drink I’ll never know!

Oh that’s right - there’s just one more thing. Miss W has become the proud parent of a 12-week old Ibicencan kitten. She looks like a miniature white tiger, with the most amazing blue eyes - ALMOST enough to make me stay home at night. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more of her…

But then again…. You know Miss W! So what are we doing tomorrow night?

20/06/08: MANUMISSION OPENING PARTY

2008-06-21T00:29:00.000+02:00

Manumission has long been considered a bit of a travelling sideshow - though they’ve never really strayed far from the fair shores of our island - so this year’s theme of Coney Island Review seems rather apt, considering team Manumission is made up of a cast of the weird and wonderful. Not my words by the way, that’s how they describe themselves.

It was also the first party Miss W ever attended when she arrived in Ibiza many years ago, so she has a bit of a soft spot for the antics of Mike and Claire - not to mention a not-so-secret desire to become a Manumission girl (a goal that is very unlikely to be fulfilled in this lifetime)! Which meant there was no way she was going to miss a minute of the 2008 debut.

Having made the permanent and official move to Amnesia and with the terrace being reconstructed over the winter in order to accommodate the spectacular shows, all eyes were on the stripey circus style posters that kept popping up all over town to try and decipher just what tricks Mike and Claire would pull out of the bag this year.

Of course, we weren’t disappointed with four acts telling a tale of Coney Island and it’s fabulous freaks and misfits set in the ‘20s with a modern Manumission twist. As per usual, Mike and Claire were kidnapped - this time with the intent to be cloned by the evil Fraudster and the Dandy Doctor, while they were trapped in a dangerous drag room full of transvestites.

Sound confusing? Miss W has to admit that she was glad she’d read the press release before watching the shows, as the relevance of some characters may have been lost on her otherwise. While the sets, costumes, styling, make-up and dancing were - as always - amazing, Miss W couldn’t help but wonder if the audience missed the point.

But does it really matter? By all accounts, everyone in the venue had a fabulous time, particularly those being entertained by the Jezebel clad hostesses in the VIP area, and even moreso, those lucky enough to still be on the terrace towards the very tail end of the night when Mylo dropped his Ibiza classic anthem, Drop The Pressure.

The fact that Manumission is and always will be one of my favourite parties means I’ll be going back week after week - stay tuned for further reports of the Coney Island ‘Freak Of The Week’ a band of guests including Lucky, the World’s Most Tattooed Man, Baby with her Extraordinary Acrobatic Vagina (yes, you read correctly), The Amazing Sculpted Bodies of the Dynamite Boys and many many more.

See you at the front of the stage next Friday!

THE GOOD: It was goodbye Pacha and hello Amnesia for Jade Jagger and her Jezebel brand, who played host on the exclusive VIP area on the terrace, giving Manumission an extra burst of Ibiza cool factor.
THE BAD: While the new home of Amnesia is more than adequate for the Manumission girls (and boys!) it’s sad to see the end of the infamous Coco Loco room and legendary back room sets from the much-loved resident Colin Peters.
THE GOSSIP: Sir Richard Branson’s name was at the very top of the guest list, but it remained questionable as to whether he actually came to the club - Amnesia is notorious for it’s secret VIP entrances and mirrored private VIP rooms, and not even Miss W could find out the answer to this one!

18/06/08: EL AYOUN 10TH BIRTHDAY

2008-06-19T18:37:00.000+02:00

Nothing beats an invite to an exclusive birthday bash in Miss W’s book, and when the exclusive birthday bash takes place at El Ayoun - nothing less than their very own tenth birthday soiree thank you very much - well, this means a new outfit and hairstyle are in order for the occasion.

No sooner had I finished at the salon (boho-style wavy locks courtesy of the ultra cool Antonio B in Ibiza’s old town if you must know) than I was whisked off to San Rafael for the amazing invitation only dinner at El Ayoun - and boy was I glad I’d made that early appointment, because I would not have missed a minute of this event, even if you had paid me!

I must admit that even I had to gasp as I walked through the infamous entrance, as the legendary bronze camel on the red carpet had been replaced by THE REAL THING (yes folks, I mean real live camel), flown into Ibiza specially for the occasion (and yes I pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming!). It seems all the stops were pulled out for this auspicious occasion.

The theme for guests was to wear black and white, so the restaurant, bar and dance floor were a veritable stylish chess board of monochrome - Miss W would like to note that most of the (über-tanned) female guests had opted for an LWD (yes, that’s little white dress as opposed to little black dress) and the guys were feeling very comfortable with their choice of open necked white shirts.

But down to business… Each time one of exceptional wait staff lingered by my seat with a tray of delectable entrees, I had to hold myself back from helping myself to more than one - no this is not a Miss W weird diet tip, it’s simply a manners thing. This is how good the new El Ayoun sushi lounge really is - proof is in the pudding as they say… or sashimi as the case may be.

But it wasn’t just the entrees that tickled my tastebuds - Moroccan flavoured lamb chops, chicken cous cous and sensational desserts were an also an absolute hit. After a very cold spell in spring, El Ayoun finally threw open the doors to their divine terrace - alfresco is back baby!

THE GOOD: Angel Cielo - can the ever-faithful El Ayoun resident DJ put a foot wrong? We think not.
THE BAD: A huge birthday cake was wheeled out into the club however it seemed revellers were slightly too self-involved to sing the obligatory ‘cumpleanos feliz’ to El Ayoun’s Charles and crew. Hmmmm….
THE GOSSIP: For VVVIPs (and yes, this includes Miss Miss W) a special wristband meant drinks were free flowing and a plenty all night… and special privileges like these aren’t to be abused - you know who you are!

16/06/08: COCOON OPENING PARTY

2008-06-16T18:41:00.001+02:00

‘This is the year 2008, and what once was called Science Fiction has now arrived in the present. The Amnesia pyramid continues sending out its signal, and the signal says Disco Invasion! We will travel through the Techno universe, in order to bring you the revolution - the Disco Invasion, that blends everything together and leaves behind old categories. 'The sky is the limit' on planet Minimal Techno Funk, Ibiza is our International Spaceport and Sven gives us the command for take-off!’

At least, that’s how the promotional material described it to Miss W, and when that much effort goes into hyping up what was easily last year’s techno success story’s return to the island, well it would be rude not to slip into my disco shoes, sequinned hotpants and get into the spirit right?

While DJs Sven Vath and Ricardo Villalobos (aka Commander Darth Vather and DJ Chebaca) weren’t in their Disco Invaders finery (to be fair, those head pieces would make DJing just a little difficult) as seen in the promotional trailer, there were plenty of stunning Cocoon dancers - complete with amazing diamante encrusted face paint and Barbarella style ponytails - on hand to wield Light sabers a lá Star Wars as they grooved to the decidedly non-disco sounds of Cocoon!

The Cocoon terrace has long been the place where the island comes together after a long week of work, play and anything in between and the opening party was no exception. With a decidedly Spanish and Italian crowd on the terrace, while the club kids stuck to the thumping laser-filled main room, Miss W was happy to bump into old friends, new acquaintances, visiting DJs and ex-workers who’d made the trek back to the island specifically for this party.

My favourite element of the evening though? Checking out the amazing costumes worn by the dancers, mainly the platform sequinned 70s style knee high boots. For next week’s disco extravaganza, I plan to get myself a pair somehow! While they’re not exactly the type of thing you can pick up at Las Dalias, I’m thinking I might be able to customise something from the Sant Jordi car boot sale on Saturday morning!

It might not be very techno, but if Sven and co can get into the spirit then Miss W doesn’t see why she shouldn’t be allowed to sparkle too!

THE GOOD: The way the Cocoon crew throw themselves wholeheartedly into their Disco Invader theme - who’d have thought the über serious German techno brigade had a sense of humour like this? To get a glimpse behind the scenes, check out this clip before heading to the club next week!
THE BAD: The guest list queue. While Miss W is lucky enough to be on a first name basis with the door staff and can waltz straight to the front of the queue, many of her friends were stuck in a pushing, heaving queue and waited for up to an hour to get inside. Surely VIPs and invited guests are entitled to a speedy and trouble free entrance?
THE GOSSIP: The renovations to the Amnesia terrace have certainly opened up the area and allowed plenty more room to manoeuvre the floor - and dance of course - but we couldn’t help but notice the many people - including one famous DJ and a costumed-up Cocoon dancer - tripping over the large bronzed camel statue sitting on the floor. In a darkened club environment, surely this is a bit of a hazard?

15/06/08: WE LOVE OPENING PARTY

2008-06-15T15:55:00.000+02:00

Celebrating their tenth year this year are Ibiza stalwarts We Love… And the team behind the island’s most successful party have asked themselves why throw one birthday party when you can throw 16? That’s one per week for the duration of the season and today marks the beginning of the festivities - and Miss W plans to be on hand for each and every one of them so she doesn’t miss a second of the action.

Gone was the car park arena and stilt-walking entertainers of the Space opening party and in their place, a plethora of acid house themed décor adorning the club, from enormous oversized smiley face balls hanging from the roof to illuminated flashing fluoro lights and even t-shirts declaring ‘We Love… Acid House’. We Love… have been notorious for steering clear of pomp and ceremony over the years and focusing solely on the music, but when thousands of smiley faced yellow balloons were dropped from the ceiling, we couldn’t help but get even more carried away in the moment.

For Miss W, again it was all about the Discotek. With house-master DJ Pierre at the helm of the DJ booth, banging out an amazing two-hour set packed with acid house classics, rave anthems and futuristic techno beats, it was no surprise that the room was packed to the rafters - one entire corner was packed full of the island’s finest DJ talent paying homage to the legend - from We Love’s very own David Phillips to Manumission’s Colin Peters and the Underground’s Justin Field, plus a posse of the Ibiza Rocks crew and local audio visual producers FR4M3 and last but not least, a handful of influential bar, restaurant and local business owners from across the island, it felt like the whole population was feeling the ‘We Love…’

In the new terrace (also packed to the rafters by all accounts) however, Miss W heard whispers that Ben Watt was giving DJ Pierre a run for his money, with those on hand to witness his set calling it awe-inspiring. Followed by mash-up heroes 2ManyDJs, it definitely felt like no one was using the exit doors until the lights went up at 6am,

But for Miss W, it was fantastic to note a lot of up and coming talent being given a chance to shine - the funky El Salon room was treated to an amazing two hours of funk-house meets percussion with Mr Doris, the rooftop Premier Etage played host to local deep house legend Jon Howell, the Sunset Terrace moved to the beat of Café Mambo’s own Andy Baxter and London’s Chew The Fat! crew returned to give the Red Box and injection of their classic breakbeat sound - all in all, combined with the masters working the two main arenas, the perfect mix of music across all six rooms, with something to suit everyone. Which is what We Love are renowned for really… We’ll be seeing you again next weekend!

THE GOOD: This year sees We Love… go green. Using recycled paper for all of their promotional flyers, posters and even CD covers, along with vegetable based ink to reduce their impact on the Ibizan environment. Miss W encourages other clubs on the island follow suit so our beautiful island can continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.
THE BAD: Everyone’s favourite 22-hour party marathon has now been cut to 13.5 thanks to the new laws regarding daytime clubbing. When a promoter such as We Love… have successfully been running daytime parties for ten years, surely there should be some exceptions to the rule?
THE GOSSIP: After the DC10 terrace being incredibly empty upon opening at 4.30pm the previous week, many speculated that the Space Sunset Terrace would suffer a similar blow. With queues outside before the club had opened, this proved not to be the case and it was business as usual, with Andy Baxter delivering a superb set that got punters straight onto the dance floor the minute they stepped through the doors.

13/06/08: WONDERLAND OPENING PARTY

2008-06-14T12:39:00.000+02:00

It’s been hyped up for months, and to Miss W, the Wonderland opening party couldn’t have come any sooner. I’d seen the posters around town, I’d glimpsed the all-new Eden at the opening party and I’d even been chatting to Mr Tong himself throughout the week about what to expect from his new extravaganza. And finally, the big night had rolled around.

Starting with a swish press dinner at the Eden-owned Kanya with visiting journalists from the UK, Miss W was wined and dined by the fabulous crew at The Shop, who have been responsible for making the Wonderland concept come to life. Complete with a performance from the Burlesque themed Wonderland dancers and a fireworks display from an almost sinister sequin-clad warrior by the sparkling pool just after sunset, it gave us an alternative - and entirely pleasant - start to our night in San Antonio.

Miss W has to admit she had just a teensy little bit of trepidation regarding the crowd heading into Eden, but from the minute she was whisked through the fairy light studded VIP entrance (complete with enormous framed pictures of Pete from the Wonderland artwork) and into the exclusive candlelit area behind the DJ booth, she knew that this wasn’t just another night at Eden.

As I sipped on chilled Moet - thanks Pete, you do know Miss W loves a glass of bubbles or two - Rob Marmot warmed up the rapidly expanding crowd in the main room, followed by a classic set from Groove Armada, who were broadcasting live for BBC Radio 1. Then it was time for the man of the hour to step up and show the world just exactly what he’d been plotting and planning for the majority of the year.

It was now that the crowd seemed to literally erupt - throngs of younger, clubby types swarmed the front of the DJ booth making it almost like a mosh pit, while the beautiful people in the VIP area - including Pete’s stunningly gorgeous wife Carolina - all got out of their seats to start dancing - a true party atmosphere.

The most amazing element of Eden’s revamp for Wonderland was the installation of a multi-million dollar visual displays, thanks to acclaimed production company Microchunk. With huge curtains made up of LED balls - which looked a little like oversized light globes to Miss W - and enormous almost cinema-like screens beaming with colourful lights, laser beams and moving projections that morphed and made the inside of the club like a giant video game, this was a whole new ball gamer for the club and certainly made it stand out from its competitors in terms of modernity and ‘wow’ factor.

Best of all, for The Looking Glass upstairs, the room hosted by local favourite promoter and DJ duo Charlie Chester and Jo Mills, these visual displays were hung from the roof of the club and backed onto the glass encased room - which meant the DJs playing in the third room had their very own visual showcase going on behind them the entire night, adding a whole new dimension to the room - in fact, we think the visuals were even more spectacular when viewed from this height - on the main dancefloor you had to crane your neck to look up at them!

THE GOOD: ‘The Looking Glass’ was jam packed all night. If they weren’t behind the DJ booth, VIPs were sneaking up here to hang out and dance with the many island faces on hand show support to Jo and Charlie - we think the old school ‘back room’ party vibe will be making a comeback in this room.
THE BAD: There’s been a lot of talk about Groove Armada making the transition from their coveted We Love Space Sundays slot to their own personal ‘Lovebox’ in the Funky Room at Eden on Fridays - sadly, the room remained quite empty for the majority of the night - we think this may have been due to the fact they also played the main room and then started in the Lovebox time as Pete hit the main floor - just a glitch in the programming, we hope!
THE GOSSIP: Apparently the VIP area behind the DJ booth wasn’t quite ready by the time the club threw open it’s doors for the 11pm curtain call, due to the fact that the über chic - and some might say very expensive - new furniture ordered especially for Friday nights had arrived in the wrong colour scheme and needed to be re-covered. So simple deck chairs stayed in place - not that anyone actually sat in them anyway, as most people were mingling and dancing!

12/06/08: JASON BULL’S BIRTHDAY PARTY

2008-06-12T22:02:00.000+02:00

When a local taxi driver WON’T take you to a venue because it’s too off the beaten track, you instantly get the feeling that the destination is DEFINITELY worth the trip, no matter how complicated the journey.

At least, that’s how Miss W feels, and when she discovered the location of Es Vive and Base Bar main man Jason Bull’s annual birthday bash - S’Estanyol - she quickly roped in the assistance of a friend with a jeep and hot-footed it to the hills behind Talamanca to get in the thick of the action.

PK2, the restaurant perched on the edge of the tiny beach cove only accessible by a dirt track has long been a favourite of in-the-know islanders, party promoters and after-hours aficionados - as much for its seclusion as its stunning surroundings. With a camouflage-net covered terrace accessorised with draping white curtains, rustic wooden furniture and amazing home-cooked food along with a powerful Funktion 1 sound system, it’s the ideal place to throw a party for a few hundred of your closest friends.

For the effervescent Mr Bull, an enormous paella was lovingly crafted to feed the masses - a predominantly English crew Miss W was quick to note - who mainly chose to linger on the sands while the sun was still high in the sky before milling onto the terrace after dark. Despite opening party week work commitments for many of the invited guests, the 4pm kick-off time was definitely not too early, and before we even knew it, it was time to relocate the party to none other than the infamous Es Vive hotel.

Who was still on hand to keep the fire burning? The who’s who of Ibiza’s party scene of course - while we won’t spill the beans on who was still hard at play once the rest of us had arrived in the office the following morning, we will say that the party lived up to its wild reputation as one of Ibiza’s finest non-clubbing social events of the year.

THE GOOD: The birthday boy of course! With that much charisma and energy to spare, it’s no surprise that guests flew in from all over the world to help celebrate Jason’s big day.
THE BAD: We love S’Estanyol but have to admit it is an absolute nightmare for transport. It’s all well and good if you have a designated driver, but when a party of this magnitude happens, we’d like the option of leaving the car behind.
THE GOSSIP: When you’re the owner of one of the island’s coolest party hotels, it’s only natural that the party kicks on in the ‘privacy’ of your establishment long after all other venues on the island have closed for the night. Miss W heard reports that a certain well known island DJ was still MIA at 4pm the following afternoon… lost in the depths of Es Vive we expect!

05/06/08: F**K ME I’M FAMOUS AT PACHA OPENING PARTY

2008-06-05T10:49:00.000+02:00

The runaway success story of last year, F**k Me I’m Famous - the French party de jour - has returned to Pacha and this year, we’re lucky enough to get the chance to head to the tongue in cheek soiree every week! Tonight, marked the official opening party and Miss W wasn’t going to miss a single minute of the action.

In order to get the full opening party experience, I decided to start the evening at the exclusive Café Mambo pre-party. As Miss W and her companions discovered, the sunset strip doesn’t exactly flourish in the rain - there wasn’t even a hope of seeing the sunset through those heavy clouds and the crowded terrace quickly cleared when the downpour eventually hit.

For those who managed to secure some Space inside Mambo, a further disappointment came with the news that David Guetta’s flight was delayed and he wouldn’t be able to play his pre-party slot - trying to use her ‘glass half full’ perspective, Miss W thought it was just all the more reason to visit the club later!

And visit the club she did - after numerous costume changes, finally settling on the all-purpose weather-proof option of skinny jeans and a camisole top - thankfully Pacha -unlike many of the other clubs - has a great cloakroom for storing those jackets and brollies (and at this stage I’m wondering if I can include wellies!)

The club was absolutely heaving to capacity, and Miss W had to admit that even though she loved the main room - particularly the performances and the décor - it was nice to take a breather on the roof (when the rain finally stopped of course). Those in the know understand that this is where a lot of the real Pacha action takes place, with the head honchos spending a lot of time up here, shaking hands, signing deals, and doling out the drink tickets - Ibiza’s very own ‘How to win friends and influence people’ type currency!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The Pacha dancers. There’s hot and there’s smoking, but these guys are steaming!
THE BAD: Maybe it’s just me, but are the FMIF billboards featuring a smooching David and Cathy Guetta just a little too OTT?
THE GOSSIP: Ticket sellers were suggesting the rain actually would keep people away from this party - but Miss W can tell you that was not the case at all.

04/06/08: BEACH AZULI AT SOL DEN SERRA

2008-06-04T10:48:00.000+02:00

Being the Ibiza social butterfly that she is, Miss W is privy to a lot of ‘classified’ information about top-secret parties, very special guest DJs and stylish island locations and today saw all three elements come together to create an amazing event that we think will be talked about for years to come.

Sol Den Serra played host to Beach Azuli, for the first in a series of four secret summer parties and you couldn’t have asked for a more stylish location if you ask Miss W! The entire lower level, complete with day beds and deck chairs was transformed into a seaside dance floor, with beautiful pink feathers suspended from the roof and blowing delicately in the breeze to set the scene.

Those lucky enough to have received one of the exclusive pink invites - which were distributed by some of the island’s most well connected social types - were treated to smooth grooves courtesy of international guests Andy Cato of Groove Armada and Crazy P, along with Azuli head honcho David Piccioni. A troupe of amazingly fit Brazilian Capoeira dancers provided a visual feast for our entertainment before the sun went down

With a mouth watering barbeque sizzling away all afternoon and jugs of icy cold mojitos making the rounds of the smiley-faced and stylishly attired crowd, it felt like every need was catered to before we had a chance to contemplate it. Miss W and her Potential Boyfriend enjoyed lazing on the exclusive VIP day beds, giving the White-ettes plenty of opportunities to meet and greet the man in question - their verdict? Well, I’ll share that with you when they spill the beans!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Who said dancing in the daytime couldn’t be done in Ibiza anymore? This was the party to prove to authorities that private open-air events can be done, and can be done very well indeed.
THE BAD: The giant rain cloud that threatened to ruin the day! While it conveniently stayed away from Cala Llonga, we think it may have deterred a few guests from heading to the party.
THE GOSSIP: Miss W spied the police having a walk through the venue, however the rumours that the party would be closed down soon proved to be false - it was simply a routine sound check!

01/06/08: SPACE OPENING PARTY

2008-06-01T10:47:00.000+02:00

It’s the party that ‘officially’ kicks off the summer season and the one that Miss W has been eagerly counting down the days to!

Thankfully for the 18 000 plus clubbers who flocked to Playa Den Bossa for the long-awaited Space Opening Fiesta, Ibiza turned on her famous sunshine and blue skies. The car park - which was turned into a huge festival style arena for the occasion - was awash with glorious warm rays of sunlight while dancers in futuristic air hostess costumes entertained the masses by performing inside a giant clear ball, to the soundtrack of Fatboy Slim and as the sun began to set, Steve Lawler.

While the addition of the outdoor area is a novelty, I have to admit I just absolutely adore the inside of the club, so I was eager to get back in there and out onto the dance floor - it’s been almost eight months since Space and I were last together you know! Plus, I have learned from previous year’s experience that when the car park arena closes and you have around 10 000 or so eager clubbers all trying to get inside it’s a squishy situation (that really doesn’t go with my footwear) that can easily be avoided by heading inside before that happens!

Inside the club was every bit as amazing as I’d remembered - better in fact! The biggest problem was trying to decide which room to spend most of my time in - with the world’s best DJs holding court in every room, it was an extremely difficult choice.

Thankfully Miss W has very special access privileges at Space, which meant I could use the secret ‘staff only’ back passageways to manoeuvre my way through the labyrinth of a club and check out the action in every room before settling in behind the DJ booth in the Discotek for Sasha - where every experience I have ever had in a club in my life was eclipsed. From a laser show so amazing you felt like you could feel one of the thousands of streams of light filling the club to acrobats and stilt performers dressed as giant butterflies dropping from the roof to an amazed audience, this was a visual display like none other.

Of course, an opening party wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory start of season catch-up conversations and Space was no exception. Miss W spotted the ever-so-lovely manager of Space, Juan Arenas cruising around the club with none other than Danny Tenaglia while Erick Morillo was schmoozing David and Cathy Guetta, not to mention the many familiar island faces crowding the most of the free flowing drinks supplies and the air conditioning surrounding the DJ booth. The club’s name seemed to be quite ironic really, given there certainly wasn’t any space on the night!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: What an amazing party! Space once again proved why they are leading the way for the world’s clubbing elite. If only it was open all year round…
THE BAD: The sheer volume of people - while the numbers were certainly good for Space, it made queuing up for the bathroom a nightmare!
THE GOSSIP: The large area to the right of the DJ booth in the terraza was roped off to accommodate a very small group of about six people, who paid a premium sum to secure the space as the original VIP area was completely booked out. Miss W thinks it’s tacky to talk about money but she did hear a figure whispered that wouldn’t get you much change from 100K - wow!

31/05/08: PRIVILEGE OPENING PARTY

2008-05-31T11:57:00.000+02:00

It seems the entire island has decided to throw open its doors to the public tonight, which meant Miss W needed to keep a constant eye on the time so she didn’t miss the action at any of the parties.

When a club is officially named ‘The World’s Biggest Club’ by none other than the Guinness Book Of Records and boasts a capacity of 10 000 people, it can seem like quite a daunting task to attend. Especially in the torrential rain Ibiza seems to be quite fond of turning on these days.

But Miss W and one of her trusty White-ette companions are troupers if nothing else, and wouldn’t let a little water get in the way of having a good time, so it was off to San Rafael to meet up with 9 998 of our closest friends!

One thing is for sure at Privilege - it is just so big that it seems virtually impossible that you’ll bump into your friends on the heaving dance floor or just hanging by the pool - yes, the pool beneath the DJ booth! But Miss W, being the experienced Ibiza club type she is, knows that the REAL action takes place in the Coco Loco room so hotfooted it there, where I instantly spotted at least four of the major club promoters towards the back of the room - when you’re at an event of this magnitude, it makes sense to stick together!

Miss W didn’t get a chance to check out the VIP area as she had a hot date at another club opening on the other side of town, but it’s safe to presume that with opening week for each individual promoter just a mere week away - I’ll be back!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The amazing visual displays and performances in the cavernous main room - good to see all of that space being put to good use!!!
THE BAD: Invited guests being forced to stand in a queue in the pouring rain, despite the fact shelter was a mere two metres away and not being used. Shame on you, security…
THE GOSSIP: Having lost Manumission in 2007, all eyes are looking to Privilege to see how they’ll bounce back this year. Miss W overheard a reliable source saying Madrid promoters Supermartxe - who now host Friday nights - have secured Jamiroquai as a special guest amongst others and just might be looking to fill that gap…

31/05/08: IBIZA ROCKS HOTEL OPENING PARTY

2008-05-31T10:56:00.000+02:00

Miss W is going to make a confession. I’m not really into bands. While I can appreciate a good one and I’m a big fan of rock chick fashion (and the odd geeky band boy here and there), going to see live bands just isn’t my thing. I live in Ibiza - the centre of the clubbing universe - so it’s only natural that I lean towards the dance side of the music world.

But with all the hype and fuss surrounding Ibiza Rocks over the past few years and the huge hype on the island regarding the opening of the new Ibiza Rocks Hotel, I thought it was only fair that I put my pre-conceived ideas about the whole band thing aside and check it out!

Walking up to the enormous façade of the hotel, I felt like I was heading into Wembley Stadium, with the black and white lettering declaring that I had indeed reached my destination. Once through the front, for those still in doubt, the name flashing up in lights along with the ultra-branded signage everywhere and the throbbing sounds of the band within confirmed we had arrived!

I must admit - I was impressed. Ibiza Rocks Hotel is like a GIANT stadium/theatre/cinema - a gimmick that will no doubt go down well with the target market. Not one to be snobbish about such things, Miss W grabbed a beer (in a plastic cup of course) and headed outside to check out the band. Who by the way, I had never heard of, but quite enjoyed! Maybe it was the beer buzz, maybe I got caught up in the moment - either way, not bad for a night in the depths of San Antonio!

On my way out I whizzed past the world’s most famous rock-kid, Jade Jagger and gave a nod to Pete Tong and his glam ex-model wife Carolina and as I did, I had the realisation that bands aren’t just for kids after all.

Hey, if it’s good enough for Jade…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The clever marketing and branding of the entire complex - there’s no doubt this will be one of the San An success stories in 2008.
THE BAD: Having to purchase drinks tickets and then join the very long queue at the bar for a beer in a plastic cup! Miss W is used to icy mojitos and table service you know.
THE GOSSIP: Super cool Ibiza tattoo parlour Inkadelic have opened a franchise inside the Ibiza Rocks merchandise store - but we can’t help but wonder how ‘arty’ the types of tattoos requested here will be. Pacha cherries and guitar pick logos anyone?

31/05/08: EDEN OPENING PARTY

2008-05-31T00:58:00.000+02:00

Just when you thought it wasn’t possible to squeeze another opening party into one night, Eden have come along and done just that! And with press releases declaring it’s a new season and a new Eden, Miss W just had to go along and check it out for herself - despite her aching feet!

Sadly, the rain continued to put a dampener on the proceedings, practically flooding the streets in San Antonio and making for a very un-glamorous entry point to the club - Miss W can see the potential for summer, but tonight it was a case of ‘wish I wore my wellies!’

Once inside the club however, there was a real ‘old school Ibiza’ vibe going on, with Ibiza veterans Brandon Block and Charlie Chester holding court in the VIP area, while DJ Jo Mills gave the crowd a taste of what to expect from her residency at Pete Tong’s all-new Wonderland night - though tonight she was perched in the main DJ booth rather than the Looking Glass room on the top floor of the club.

Miss W had to admit, it was nice to be invited into the new VIP area, as her feet were aching from the earlier Privilege dance-athon, so she welcomed the relaxing chance to actually sit down in a club for once.

Traditional podium dancers seemed to be replaced with a rather interesting ‘water feature’ complete with bikini-clad dancers who managed to perform their entire routine without getting their hair wet - must pay attention next time and see if there’s a special trick to that, as I’d love to be able to swim at the beach without hair going frizzy at the first sign of salt water!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The amazing new VIP area, right behind the DJ booth - you’re so close it actually makes you feel as if the crowd are all there to see you!
THE BAD: Men with their shirts off inside a club - we REALLY don’t need to see that.
THE GOSSIP: Although tonight was the official unveiling of the new Eden, the club wasn’t exactly filled to the rafters - we think it may be a case of people waiting for the opening of Wonderland before checking it out.

30/05/08: BLUE MARLIN FILM FESTIVAL CLOSING

2008-05-30T12:55:00.001+02:00

It was probably just as well for Miss W that the IMS closing party wrapped up quite early, because no sooner had she finished the final sip of Ibizkus then it was back into the car - accompanied by the White-ettes of course - to head to Cala Jondal’s Blue Marlin, who were throwing an über-swish invitation only event to mark the end of the week long Ibiza and Formentera International Film Festival.

Of course, Miss W and the White-ettes were on the exclusive guest list and sashayed straight into the venue alongside the famous guests, style-setters and film makers alike, with Miss W even stopping on the red carpet for a picture or two - though she must admit they were more like happy snaps to send home to her mum!

The ultra professionalism of the Blue Marlin team meant canapés were constantly at our fingertips and our glasses were constantly filled - from cleverly crafted cocktails to amazing wines and a delicious sangria-style punch, the bartenders were certainly put to good work tonight! Miss W noticed Blue Marlin owner Yelle holding court at the beachside bar ensuring things ran smoothly, while manager Mattia - looking very sharp in a tailored white blazer - worked the floor to perfection.

While Miss W is no stranger to working a room herself, she had to admit there were a lot of unfamiliar faces in the room. I couldn’t help but wonder - was one of these folks going to spot me in the crowd, pluck me from obscurity and make me a star?

Wishful thinking… though I guess there’s always next year!

THE GOOD: Blue Marlin really know how to put on a party - from exquisite canapés to free flowing delectable punch and strategically placed heaters to stop the inevitable late night chill. Ten out of ten to Yelle and his crew!
THE BAD: We know that the film industry is full of arty types, but white jeans should never be tucked into black biker boots. On a man, no less - you know who you are!
THE GOSSIP: Oscar winner Mira Sorvino was in town to promote her flick Leningrad, but Miss W was disappointed to note she wasn’t in attendance at the party - perhaps she didn’t make the guest list cut?

30/05/08: PIKES HOTEL IMS CLOSING PARTY

2008-05-30T10:54:00.000+02:00

It seems a little bit strange to Miss W to have a closing party a mere three days after you’ve popped corks at the opening celebrations, but an event like the International Music Summit only comes around once a year (we hope!) and who am I to argue?

So it was off to the legendary Pikes Hotel tonight to gather round the iconic pool where Wham’s Club Tropicana video was filmed w-a-a-a-y back in the eighties (the days when Miss W still thought she had a chance with George Michael) with the who’s who of dance music - or so I thought! Upon arrival we were greeted with the site of hundreds of cars cramming the available spaces near the hotel, indicating that an intimate soiree this was not to be.

And as for swanning about like an extra in a Wham film clip? Not tonight! We were herded - in a very sophisticated fashion of course - onto the Pikes tennis court, where what seemed like a cross between a rave and a rock festival was taking place, with a bar in the centre, a DJ booth at one end and amazing décor adorning the gates.

But it was the electric atmosphere of the event that impressed Miss W the most - it seems Pikes hasn’t lost the ability to throw a party over the winter! I know I keep saying this, but it really felt like the Ibiza social set were making the most of the opportunity to party together before getting their teeth stuck into the summer season, which is looming ahead with the weekend’s calendar of opening parties.

Or maybe I’m just confused and the Ibiza social set are always partying together, despite their hectic summer schedules!

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: Ibizkus creator Laurent Fresard using the event as a clever way to introduce his delicious rosé into the Ibiza market - Miss W’s glass was kept topped up all night!
THE BAD: The fact the party had to end so early… midnight seems like the time everything should be kicking off to us!
THE GOSSIP: While Pete Tong and Rob Da Bank provided an awesome soundtrack to the evening, there was a lot of talk about the ‘interesting’ selection of an obscure Swedish act who performed between the two Radio 1 jocks - wasn’t this supposed to be a dance music event?

28/05/08: ATZARO IMS OPENING PARTY

2008-05-28T11:00:00.000+02:00

They said the International Music Summit was all about business, but when Miss W received an invitation to the opening soiree at her favourite Agroturismo, Atzaro, she couldn’t help but wonder whether the business all the PR material had been referring to was the business of throwing a party!

But seeing that this is the business Miss W excels at, I certainly won’t complain!

Atzaro - as always - turned on the charm, adapting the décor to suit its music industry clientele with the addition of a giant video screen and sleek Pioneer branded DJ booth. Miss W was particularly impressed with the sounds of Jason Bentley - the perfect chilled accompaniment to the proceedings - well, his music AND a glass of chilled rosé of course!

A very relaxed affair, I suddenly realised that this could well be one of the last times for the next four months that this particular group of people would be gathered together in the same room (though there will be the IMS closing party at Pikes on Friday night) due to the fact that the summer season ‘officially’ kicks off this coming Sunday, at the Space opening fiesta.

So in true Miss W style, I did the rounds and managed to speak to everyone - and by this I mean REAL conversations - before their hectic summer begins and we go back to the routine of waving at each other across a crowded dancefloor!

Given the fact this party was part of a business-related conference, it was all wrapped up by the very civilised hour of midnight. Which was handy really, considering we all had was the opening of Aura to get to, just down the road…

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The amount of talk generated by the forums during the day - the movers and shakers of Ibiza’s club scene aren’t shy in voicing their outspoken opinions - but Miss W thinks that’s a good thing.
THE BAD: Lack of food! While the non-delegates were all making their appearances at around 9pm - early by Ibiza standards - the actual attendees had already left the building in search of sustenance.
THE GOSSIP: A few of the event founders were no-shows at the party. We know it’s been a long week and there are two more days (and hence two more parties) to come, but we thought catching up on beauty sleep happened in winter?

28/05/08: AURA OPENING PARTY

2008-05-28T10:59:00.000+02:00

Well, tonight proved that the White-ettes do not turn into pumpkins at the stroke of midnight, simply change party venues! No sooner had the lights been dimmed and the music faded out at the swanky IMS opening bash, than we were bundled into our cars and heading down the road to check out the all-new and COMPLETELY revamped Aura.

To say Aura has undergone a makeover over the winter would be a major understatement - it was more like the equivalent of a teen-movie metamorphosis from the girl-next-door to a foxy minx all the boys are drooling over. Though in venue terms, it was more like casual, cosy, comfy and cool restaurant becomes sleek, chic and oh-so-sexy cocktail lounge that everyone who’s anyone will be making a major pit stop on their Ibiza calendar.

Miss W and the White-ettes were on hand to sample Aura’s new custom designed cocktails (though we didn’t get to sample any of the much talked about tapas - next time perhaps?) as we perched on the enormous day-bed style lounges, while being treated to a smooth house grooves from resident DJ Nima Gorji.

Without those enormous leather couches filling up the room, it feels like Aura has almost tripled in size, and even though the official text message said to arrive early to avoid missing out on entry, it felt like half the island were present and yet there was still plenty of space for more to arrive, even long after the clock had struck 12.

And as with previous years, Aura certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to doling out the good looking bar staff awards though I can’t say Miss W was looking, what with Potential Boyfriend being on hand and all - I was merely thinking of my friends! What I can say is this: Aura has officially stepped up and joined the ranks of the über-stylish cocktail lounges of Ibiza - actually, hold that though, not just Ibiza, but the world.

Wonder if they’d let me borrow one of those amazing light fittings for my apartment?

THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The ‘mixologists’ and their amazing creations. Miss W was particularly fond of a raspberry creation in a very tall glass… must remember to return to Aura and find out the official name so I can let you know!
THE BAD: Finding a parking space! With the increase to the capacity of the venue, we’re wondering if Aura should invest in a multi-level car park to accommodate its extra guests?
THE GOSSIP: While the refurbishments are absolutely gorgeous, previous fans of Aura could be heard whispering that the venue had lost it’s cosy restaurant atmosphere - embrace the change, we say!

23/05/08: Downtime for the first time!

2008-05-23T11:05:00.000+02:00

Wow. What a month - May has literally flown by for Miss W, the White-ettes and our Token White Male, but thankfully for us, the Chief White-ette decided it was time to ensure we all took a breather (and got some sun on our faces) so booked us a lovely long table in the sun at Yemanja to enjoy a l-o-n-g lunch on the sand.

Thanks Chief.

Starting with delicious jugs of Yemanja’s trademark Sangria De Cava, the good times rolled on from there. Think paella, ensalada de gambas (Miss W’s Spanish word tip of the day - gambas equals prawns!) and chilled rosé… and a very satisfied Team White indeed.

Of course, seeing as we were in the neighbourhood, we thought it would be rude not to pop to Blue Marlin, so once we’d managed to pry ourselves from our seats, we practically rolled ourselves next door and took up residence on one of the divine white (of course!) day beds. Topics of conversation included Miss W’s Potential Boyfriend (is she in love or isn’t she?), whether it would be appropriate for the newest White-ette to dance on the daybed like a podium (consensus was no) and how to ensure your arms get the perfect tan by swapping seats with the person opposite you every half an hour. You learn something new every day on this island, I tell you…

On the rest of the island, the major thing I’ve noticed is the arrival of summer. Not just all the seasonal workers returning to their jobs, the scent of fresh paint emanating from shops and cafes and groups of tourists eagerly posing for photos, but sadly also the return of peak hour traffic - because businesses close for the siesta hours of two til five pm, this means Ibiza actually experiences four sets of peak hour traffic a day. Miss W thinks this is a sign it’s time to invest in a convertible car, simply to make the most of her time spent in said traffic by working on her tan, and getting ‘naturally’ sun-kissed highlights of course!

For once, the weekend actually looks relatively quiet on the social scene - must be the calm before the storm as next week all of Ibiza’s famous clubs finally throw open their doors for four months of parties, mayhem, madness and above all, fun. Which makes me think I’ll spend this weekend chilling out at home and save myself for next week’s action.

Then again, have you ever known Miss W to stay in?

22/05/08: Hello sunshine: CAFÉ MAMBO OPENING

2008-05-22T11:05:00.000+02:00

The San Antonio I entered today was a totally different world to the San An I experienced at the Savannah opening party three weeks ago - the entire paseo (that’s the new boardwalk area) was absolutely packed! It looks like the summer has well and truly arrived, with an abundance of holidaymakers sporting their holiday finest - and just a few token sunburnt faces!

So why exactly was Miss W back on the boardwalk? Well, tonight was the long awaited re-opening of everyone’s favourite sunset bar - Café Mambo and there was no place I would rather be. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most famous sundown destinations in the world, with its gorgeous trademark mosaic décor, pretty sails above the terrace seating and of course, the opportunity to listen to the world’s most famous DJs do their thing to the stunning sunset backdrop.

Tonight, it was all smiles behind the DJ booth as special guest DJ Nic Fanciulli took to the decks to keep the huge crowd entertained after Mambo residents Andy Baxter and Alex Wolfenden set the scene for sunset - which sadly was slightly obscured by some clouds, though the crowd still managed to give it the official clap at the moment it finally sank into the sea. Lenny Ibizarre followed, with a trademark eclectic set - those in the know officially call it Balearic beats!

Of course, a destination as essential as Mambo in Ibiza is bound to attract its fair share of VIPs and Miss W spent most of the night behind the big, tough security guard with the who’s who of Ibiza. So who are the who’s who? Think representatives from Pacha, Space, The Shop, Eden, Pioneer, Icon Ibiza, Ibiza Med Yachting, Pikes Hotel, La Grand Bouffe and of course the White-ettes, who couldn’t help but think it was a little like watching the White Ibiza website come to life before our eyes!

There were television cameras left, right and centre documenting the evening too, so Miss W hopes to see herself on the small screen soon!

THE LOWDOWN
The good: Mmmmm, the delicious canapés served in the VIP section and the overall generosity of Mambo owner Javier - Miss W was never once short of a fresh drink!
The bad: The low cloud covering that averted the perfect sunset moment - lucky there’s always tomorrow.
The gossip: There were whispers surrounding the rapid weight loss of a certain DJ who returned to the island after a winter detox. Miss W thinks they were nothing more than jealous rumours as the man in question looks in great shape and 100% healthy - and we applaud him for that!

18/05/08: An experience indeed: ES VIVE OPENING PARTY

2008-05-18T11:04:00.000+02:00

Miss W knows from experience that a night spent at Es Vive hotel can literally define the word party. So when the night in question is the opening party, well, let’s just say it adds a whole new meaning to the word.

The Smirnoff Experience, a glamorous mini-club hidden deep inside the hotel is where the action took place and Miss W - wearing her new All Saints dress for the occasion - found it difficult to stop flitting from room to room to room to catch up with everyone - which suits her just fine.

In the red corner, we had the island’s club promoters, local DJs and music enthusiasts talking about summer’s recently announced club line-ups. In the black corner, we found the socialites and schmoozers doing what they do best and in the white corner, there was a mish mash of workers and tourists getting chummy in the limited space there was left. In the final corner - if you can call a DJ booth that - Es Vive resident DJs Ben Santiago and Dazzla were enticing the rest of crowd into the ring. Erm, I mean dance floor - the boxing reference was merely because I just love the three plush rooms all decked out in different colours, like a gorgeous Christina Aguilera film clip or something!

By the way, you’ll notice Miss W often compares things to film clips - well, when your life sometimes feels like a 24 hour MTV-meets-Fashion TV marathon, the comparisons are inevitable - and there’s nothing wrong with that!

But back to the Es Vive action - owner Jason Bull, showed no signs of slowing down after the previous week’s Base Bar shenanigans, busting moves on the dance floor and greeting his guests with such enthusiasm you’d never guess he’d seen them all just a week previously! The famous cocktails were flowing and it was definitely crowded enough to be called ‘intimate’ - it looks like the good times at Es Vive are officially back!

THE LOWDOWN
The good: Seeing all the White-ettes - plus our Token White Male - on the dance floor at the same time! Yay to team bonding!
The bad: The following day’s headache!
The gossip: The Smirnoff Experience is soundproof, and as it’s officially part of a hotel, the word on the street is that it is exempt from the 6am closing rule all other clubs on the island have been hit with. Miss W doesn’t want to start any rumours of course, but she will say that the sun was definitely up when she emerged from those infamous turquoise gates…

14/05/08: Rock chic boutique: ALL SAINTS OPENING PARTY

2008-05-14T11:03:00.000+02:00

While she would hate to get a reputation as someone who goes to the opening of an envelope, Miss W has to admit that getting invitations to exclusive opening parties does give her a bit of a buzz! Especially when the opening in question - today anyway - is for one of my favourite stores, All Saints, in Ibiza Town.

And I’m pleased to announce (though it may come as no surprise to some of you) that Miss W was of course, All Saints’ very first paying customer of the season, scoring herself a gorgeous - and very figure flattering - beige slip dress with loads of script printed onto it. Very Galliano-esque actually.

The store itself has undergone a bit of a revamp since last summer, and now includes a huge accessories cabinet, packed full of amazing statement jewellery pieces and über-cool sunglasses - so very Sienna Miller if you ask me! And the theme continues well into the store, loads of VERY Ibiza style printed flowy tops, skinny jeans and rock-chick t-shirts.

But down to the important stuff - shopping, socialising and champagne. It was a small and select few who’d been invited to the ‘official’ opening, which makes sense really considering the size of the store, however the super-nice All Saints crew (who really look like a team of extras out of an MTV film clip) happily welcomed any lucky pedestrian who happened to stumble upon the party with a glass of Cava and their best styling advice to boot.

If only we could shop like this every day!

THE LOWDOWN
The good: Fashion, fashion, fashion sweetie! That’s the White-ettes opening party weekend wardrobes sorted out then.
The bad: There’s only one change room in All Saints - which means a lot of waiting around if you want to try before you buy - especially if you’re in queue after Miss W, who insists on trying on each style in every colour - sorry!
The gossip: It was interesting to note a lot of the guys on hand for the opening could do with a bit of a fashion makeover - have they ever actually shopped in All Saints or were they simply there for the champagne?

11/05/08: Medieval madness: EIVISSA MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL

2008-05-11T11:11:00.000+02:00

It’s a common misconception that Ibiza is all about parties, lazing on the beach and long lunches, and while Miss W certainly does have a tendency to indulge in all of the above, she also likes to get a bit cultural every now and again - just to make sure her brain is still stimulated (and to avoid getting mis-cast as a party girl too!)

So this weekend, to celebrate the fact that our city was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1999, Ibiza town has come over all medieval on us - it’s not hard when you’ve got the ancient fortress, castle and cathedral of Dalt Vila as a setting, but I mean SERIOUSLY medieval. Think market stalls selling all types of herbs, spices, teas and organic produce, handmade jewellery and traditional Spanish shawls, thousands of different cheeses and all sorts of artsy craftsy stuff… and then, there was the amazing food market!

The entire top platform of Dalt Vila was transformed into a Medieval masterpiece, with everything from cous cous and felafels (Miss W ate three over the course of three days they were THAT good) to barbequed steaks, ribs and squid - there were enough tantalising smells wafting through the air that you could follow your nose to find exactly what to tickle your tastebuds.

Of course, there were plenty of market stalls offering local wines and chilled ales to wash the feast down with and as the afternoon wore on, it became THE place to be scene, even if you did have to weave your way through street performers, bungy jumping displays and crazy parades to find your friends. Miss W and the White-ettes claimed poll position at the top of the hill, meaning we were close to the bar and could also watch all the action unfold beneath us

THE LOWDOWN
The good: The amount of effort gone into organising the three-day event by the council of Ibiza and Mayoress Lurdes Costa - if only it could happen every weekend!
The bad: The rain - again! I thought Ibiza was supposed to have 300 days of uninterrupted sunshine per year - can only hope this marks the end of the 65 other days!
The gossip: A certain few of Ibiza’s well known blokes-about-town chose to leave the festival in all its glory early to watch the football. Oh well - to each their own, Miss W always says…

09/05/08: Back to basics: BASE BAR OPENING PARTY

2008-05-09T11:10:00.000+02:00

They say the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains. Well, Miss W would like ‘them’ to stand corrected tonight - the rain was well and truly falling on Ibiza!

Tonight was the opening of the infamous Base Bar in the port of Ibiza, a bar that is primarily made up of a huge outdoor terrace, a terrace that Miss W has spent many an hour on whilst sipping vodka cranberries in the humid summer breeze, people watching (and passing fashion judgement on) the hordes of visitors to our fair isle. But on this very evening however, it was not to be the case as the heavens well and truly opened - though those who live in the campo will tell you it was needed due to our current state of drought, Miss W will tell you that it would have been more welcome the following morning when she was nursing her resaca - that’s hangover in Spanish (see, I have been learning!)

Because although it may have been monsoonal on the terrace, it certainly didn’t mean the Base Bar opening was a washout. What it meant was, getting cosy with those brave enough - and loyal enough - to venture out form their homes and squeeze themselves inside the tiny corridor like bar that is Base. Just one big happy Ibiza-style family really! Thanks to Jason and manager Tony’s generosity there were plenty of chupitos passed around throughout the course of the night (which may have been the cause of my resaca) and as always the staff were such good eye candy there was really no reason to leave in any hurry! Who’d want to risk getting any more wet after all!

The fact that everyone was indoors meant they got a good taste of resident DJ Ben Santiago’s signature eclectic house sets, merged with classic funk, rock and soul - talk in the bar is that Ben’s going to be a very busy boy this summer indeed, with main room sets lined up at some of the island’s biggest clubs, along with his Es Vive and Fierce Angel residencies. Of course, Miss W will be on hand to report further - in fact, the opening party for Es Vive (Jason’s über-successful hotel) is just around the corner...

THE LOWDOWN
The good: Owner Jason Bull, who’d never let a bit of bad weather (torrentially) rain on his parade - we’re glad his enthusiasm was contagious.
The bad: Obviously the rain - it’s not like Ibiza’s bathrooms are equipped with hairdryers in case of a White-ette hair emergency!
The gossip: There were some catty whispers about the number of no-shows tonight, but give them a break - not everyone owns an umbrella in Ibiza you know!

01/04/08: Spectacular, spectacular!: HOVI 08 CAN VENTOSA

2008-05-01T11:09:00.001+02:00

Miss W has a bit of a confession to make - quite a bit of tonight’s performance was lost in translation for me. Though I was seated with a White-ette whose Spanish is flawless (and please let me take this opportunity to mention the fact that I AM taking lessons), I thought it would be a bit rude to whisper over the top of the performance in order to find out what was going on. Kind of like those annoying people in cinemas who turn around and ask, ‘What did they just say?’

So, for quite possibly the first time in her life, Miss W remained silent.

To be perfectly honest, while I may have missed a lot of the point, with so much else going on, I still didn’t miss the fact that there were two v-e-r-y cute boys in the centre of the stage making it all happen - oh wait, that’s right, I’m supposed to be talking about culture here!

Back to my original point then. With so much going on, I felt like it was ok to tune out of the script and into the action - with live actors on stage complementing the images splashed across five screens and the soundtrack that fell somewhere between a Sofia Coppola film and a Chemical Brothers live show, I was actually kind of sad when it was over, knowing that unlike a film, I couldn’t just pop back and see it tomorrow, or hire it on DVD on a rainy day.

But that’s art for you isn’t?

THE LOWDOWN
The good: Seeing Ibiza’s creative types out and about and supporting local talent - it’s nice to see there is life outside of club promoting for some!
The bad: The language barrier - my bad, I know! Ibiza may often seem very international, but we are in Spain after all. Back to the book and tapes then…
The gossip: The White-ettes wondered why the FR4M3 boys didn’t phone ahead and coordinate their outfits before the show - the matching trilby hats were just a little too boy band for our liking. Or perhaps that was the point?

01/05/08: Welcome back dahl-ings! CARDAMOM CLUB SUMMER OPENING

2008-05-01T11:09:00.000+02:00

Though it’s been open during the majority of the off-season, The Cardamom Club know the importance of declaring yourself officially open for the summer in Ibiza, so an opening party they threw!

Oh, and what an amazing day! Miss W - in case you haven’t noticed - has been moaning about the weather quite a lot of late, as it really does seem that summer is coming later this year, which does NOT do wonders for my lack-of-tan. But it seems Navine and Craig have a pact with someone up there (there are so many Indian deities I don’t know where to start!), because the sun was shining gloriously through the citrus trees, meaning guests could enjoy their lunch out in the garden and even feel the tops of their shoulders tingling after a bit too long beneath the rays.

Or was that just Miss W?

The relaxed vibe was exactly what I needed - no need to book, a super casual open house affair, which included a local artisan’s market with lots of lovely stalls to browse through. Miss W went home with a floaty new summer frock, some organic skincare, a handcrafted necklace and a funny (and kinda kitsch) little incense burner in the shape of a house with a chimney! There was plenty to gawk at, and there was even a special market menu for only 7€.

Of course, washing down the divine Indian taste sensations with a chilled vino blanco was essential and when all the action seemed to have died down, there was nothing left to do but return home for an afternoon siesta. Oh, I just love the Ibiza lifestyle, don’t you?

THE LOWDOWN
The good: While all the food was sensational, Miss W loved the starters so much she could have eaten three servings all to herself.
The bad: The slight sunburnt tinge to Miss W’s nose after the event - maybe a dose of organic sun cream should have been on the menu!
The gossip: Miss W thought she spied her Potential Boyfriend sitting at one of the tables, and then when she went over to say hola, he seemed to have mysteriously disappeared.

30/04/08: Spoilt for sunset: SAVANNAH OPENING PARTY

2008-04-30T11:07:00.000+02:00

What I love about sunset is that it just never gets boring. Aside from the fact that it is just utterly breathtaking each and every night - yes, Miss W is a romantic at heart, even though she often pretends not to be - there is just no possible way you can get bored when San Antonio’s sunset strip offers so many different locations to watch it from.

Well, it does now they are slowly opening their doors again, one by one. Tonight marked the re-opening of Savannah, definitely the most grown up and swish affair on the strip - and our all-time favourite, to tell the truth! What’s not to love about lounging on one of the stylish white daybeds as you watch the sun begin it’s slow descent.

There was a real buzz in the air tonight and it didn’t just come from the dramatic build up to sunset - the hoi polloi (and some new-ish faces on the scene) were all out in force, trading shop talk about their plans for summer, which is creeping just that little bit closer every time the sun sinks into the sea.

The party didn’t stop after sunset however, with a huge group gathered to celebrate the birthday of Simeon Friend - who literally must know every single person on the island because it felt like they were all in attendance. Miss W assumes that the bar staff must have been happy with their takings that evening as there were certainly a few people stumbling - glamorously of course - away from Savannah when they finally called it a night.

THE LOWDOWN
The good: The sunset. Isn’t it always?
The bad: The kitchen was so busy serving food it was a little difficult to even place an order at one point.
The gossip: While the guests were loving the chic Savannah’s vibe, we couldn’t help but wonder - why hasn’t Javier (who remained tight-lipped) set an opening date for sister bar Café Mambo yet?

26/04/08: Bedouin bliss: KM5 OPENING PARTY

2008-04-26T17:23:00.000+02:00

Well it’s about time, thought Miss W, when she received the invitation to KM5’s long-awaited opening bash. I mean, where else can a girl perch like a princess on a pillow, under a huge tent or even under the stars if her heart desires? Well, I can think of a few places in Ibiza to be honest, but I don’t love any of them as much as I love KM5.

Aside from that, they really do make the best Bloody Mary on the island, without a doubt, and after the amount of times the attentive wait staff at Sol Den Serra topped my glass up with Laurent Perrier at my previous engagement, it was exactly what I needed to get me back on track for the rest of the night.

With the fabulous music coming courtesy of KM5 resident DJ Graham Sahara, the entire venue was completely full. Once again this week, most of the island residents were revelling in the chance to finally go to another venue after a long winter of same, same, sameness.

The only real shame about tonight was the fact it was so chilly - normally when I go to KM5 I like to dress (what I believe to be) appropriately - flowy skirts, peasant tops - not in the same combination mind you - and girly gladiator sandals, the type of outfit that will flare out flatteringly as you take your position on the gorgeously comfy couches and more importantly, won’t look un-ladylike when you try to get back up! Tonight however, it was totally a jeans, boots and even a coat affair - well, at least I got one last good wear out of my coat!

THE LOWDOWN

The good: The restaurant was still packed at 1am, so it looks like our body clocks will soon be getting back into the rhythm of late night summer meals.
The bad: Brrrrr… it couldn’t have gotten any colder if it had been the middle of winter.
The gossip: Someone - not mentioning any names of course - thought it would be a good idea to shimmy up a pole and try to pull down one of the enormous garden tents, though thankfully they were foiled by one of their eagle eyed colleagues.

25/04/08: Seaside champers: SOL DEN SERRA OPENING PARTY

2008-04-25T16:58:00.000+02:00

The fact that the über-exclusive opening soiree at Sol Den Serra fell on the same night as the open house KM5 bash didn’t mean missing any of the action for Miss W. Sol Den Serra has such a stunning backdrop by day, so it meant I raced to get there early before the sun set in order to admire the turquoise sea and striking cliffs - to be honest at night it’s all just a bit, well, black.

The chilly wind (what is it with this cold snap BTW?) meant we had to spend most of the evening inside but before the shiny new glass concertina terrace doors were pulled closed, Miss W got a sneak peek at the renovations downstairs. And is super impressed. I’m looking forward to a summer spent lazing on the oversized white daybeds and munching on sashimi from the new sushi bar.

In the absence of sushi tonight, however, champagne and canapés were the order of the evening - I’ve always thought food consumed whilst standing up doesn’t have any calories, so let’s just say that Miss W wasn’t shy when it came to the gorgeous little spoonfuls of mushroom risotto and satay chicken sticks. The usual suspects were in attendance (though it seemed a bit like a revolving door with guests to-ing and fro-ing between venues) and a special mention goes to the legendary Tony Pike for managing to continue charming the girls on the terrace despite the wind!

THE LOWDOWN

The good: The party was sponsored by Laurent Perrier. Need we say more?
The bad: We’re not sure who was responsible for the wiring the electrics but two power cuts during the night was a bit of a downer.
The gossip: The ultra exclusive event was strictly invitation only, but Miss W heard rumours that quite a few invited guests were turned away at the door - perhaps some overzealous doormen taking their job just a little too seriously?

19/04/08: The cherries blossom: PACHA WITH STEVE LAWLER

2008-04-19T16:27:00.000+02:00

It was like a light globe clicked on over my head when I realised tonight there are only six weeks until the summer opening parties, which - to Miss W anyway - means basically three things:

1. I seriously need to get in training. And I don’t just mean the Bikram yoga variety (though I am planning to give it another go next week), I mean the increase-stamina-for-summer type of training. These all night clubbing affairs, well, I’m just not used to it any more. Suggestions welcome.

2. I need some new clothes! I’m noticing a lot of newbies arriving on the island with their very special ‘Ibiza outfits’ - you know, Kate Moss-eque gladiator sandals and flirty patterned frocks - and while my wardrobe is actually packed with these Ibiza staples, I think it’s time to give it a bit of a revamp.

3. I need to brush up on my musical knowledge (and thus my dance moves) so I can move to the groove a little better come opening party time. With the International Music Summit looming, the last thing Miss W wants is to be standing beside an über-important music industry type (or DJ/producer) and have to nod enthusiastically, rather than voice her own opinion on the music.

Tonight it seemed the entire island had turned out for the appearance of big name guest DJ Steve Lawler - who kept the dance floor packed all night - from rival club promoters to superstar DJs and local celebrities. And of course, it was nice to see the entire Pacha Ibiza family out in force once again.

THE LOWDOWN

The good: The fabulous soundtrack provided by Steve Lawler. If this is what’s in store for summer, we can’t wait to hear more.
The bad: Miss W would like to issue a personal apology to Mr Lawler after spending a good hour asking him about the hottest new tunes for summer. I promise, next time I’ll do my homework BEFORE the gig and leave you to drink your beer in peace…
The gossip: People on the island may gossip about the reasons behind Pete Tong’s move from Pacha to Eden but Miss W can report that rumours of a fall-out are just idle gossip - the BBC Radio 1 DJ was back at his old stomping ground tonight in a show of pre-season support.

13/04/08: A non-party round up

2008-04-13T16:39:00.000+02:00

Phew! With the recent goings on, deadlines and many events of late I’ve hardly had a chance to file my nails, fit in a fake bake or even log into Facebook - seriously, who has time for a social networking site when you’ve got an actual social life?

Not Miss W, that’s for sure.

But I do have time to give you a brief update on what’s been going on in my world away from the party circuit - after all, there is so much more to Ibiza than sipping champagne and posing for pictures! Well first of all, the sun has been shining, which means I’ve been making Blue Marlin my lunch-meeting-place-of-choice. And I’m LOVING that Bambuddha Grove has wi-fi installed - why would you meet in an office when Ibiza has so many fabulous alternatives? Yes, some of us on the island do manage to hold down professional careers, despite the way it may seem.

I’ve totally fallen in love with a new store in the heart of the old town, called reVOLVER. I have my eye on the hottest striped dress by Twenty8Twelve (that’s Sienna Miller’s label with her sister Savannah), some sensational (and enormous) turquoise sunnies by Matthew Williamson and I am literally chomping at the bit for the the latest sass+bide collections - en route from Australia apparently. Did someone say credit card?

The Potential Boyfriend situation is at a bit of a stalemate. Let me tell you, it’s not easy being a single gal in Ibiza during the off-season (especially for a shy little wallflower like myself!) and with the summer creeping closer and closer by the minute, I’m worried that if PB doesn’t strike while the iron is hot, I’ll be lured away by a handsome bachelor who has cruised into town on his luxury yacht and - hmmm, that actually puts a whole new perspective on the situation, doesn’t it?

With yacht trips and future Potential Boyfriends in mind, I also enrolled in Bikram Yoga to give myself a headstart towards that ‘summer bikini body plan’ all the magazines are raving about. So far - I’m not that into it. Though I must admit I have only been once. All that sweat and stretching is a tad too icky for Miss W! Then again - have you SEEN Madonna’s body lately? Maybe I’ll give it another go. In the meantime however, I’ve switched from café con lechés to cortados - since I’m not willing to cut down on coffee, I figured cutting down on milk was the best I could do. Now if I could just cut out the two over-heaped teaspoons of sugar that I stir into every one…

10/04/08: Hats off to Vaughan: BAMBUDDHA GROVE

2008-04-10T16:41:00.000+02:00

When you can book out the entire restaurant space at Bambuddha Grove (plus fill the space in its surrounding bars) for your 49th birthday celebration, it’s quite scary to think just how big your fiesta for the big 5-0 is going to be next year.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet!

Tonight, the Ibiza glitterati turned out in force to celebrate Vaughan’s (of The Rock Bar and Pacha’s Funky Room fame) birthday and for a minute there Miss W thought she may have to make do with a champagne supper as there clearly appeared to be no space in the dining room for the White-ettes, who had forgotten to phone ahead! Thankfully, our last minute decision to join the diners - thanks to the tantalising aromas coming from steaming bowls of spicy Thai soup and succulent salmon steaks - was accommodated thanks to some clever reshuffling and super service. No foot stamping required!

Owner John Moon was working his magic as he worked the room and there were plenty more familiar faces using the opportunity to let loose before the summer kicks in. The man of the hour proved quite difficult to actually pin down for a birthday smooch, although spotting him in the room was never a problem courtesy of his trademark headgear!

No prizes for guessing what the birthday gift Vaughan received on the night was - another hat to add to his collection of course!

THE LOWDOWN
The good: The social buzz of the restaurant - at one point between courses it seemed like a game of musical chairs!
The bad: Forgetting to make a dinner reservation! Take note: on a special occasion like this, Bambuddha Grove really requires a reservation - unless you’re Miss W (and quite possibly Vaughan) that is…
The gossip: The music was meant to begin at midnight, however the DJs didn’t seem to take note as Miss W spied them tucking into plates of prawn crackers and waiting for their main course after the clock had struck 12.

06/04/08: Top secret soiree: UNDERGROUND WITH DJ JO MILLS

2008-04-06T16:44:00.000+02:00

No sooner had I written about the anticipation of heading towards El Ayoun, than a trip to the good old San Rafael exit presented itself again - only this time a left turn was required in order to head to one of Ibiza’s best kept secrets on the club circuit, Underground.

The party season in Ibiza hasn’t really kicked off just yet, but Miss W had been told that long-time Ibiza resident DJ Jo Mills would be doing a very special secret gig at Underground tonight - her first on the island this year. And knowing Jo had just announced her summer residency at Wonderland - Pete Tong’s all-new night on Fridays at the revamped Eden - was enough to get me dusting off my party shoes, pull out the hair straightener and get into club mode to catch a sneak summer preview.

The action didn’t really get going until around 2.30am, when Jo and her other half, legendary club promoter Charlie Chester arrived at the venue. Now is it just me or is Jo an absolute dynamo? By day, she’s one half of the dynamic Icon Ibiza duo and by night, a superstar DJ! Tonight she’d jetted back to Ibiza after a gig in London especially for the occasion (not an easy feat considering there are still no direct flights) and jumped straight behind the decks enthusiastically to wow the local crowd - a hotch-potch of DJs, producers, photographers, writers, filmmakers and yours truly of course!

THE LOWDOWN

The good: The infectious energy of Jo Mills - we salute you!
The bad: Secret superstar DJ gigs are all well and good but if you don’t publicise them you can’t expect a packed venue - perhaps sometimes things can be a little TOO underground for their own good?
The gossip: Apparently there was tension between a few local DJs all vying for tonight’s warm-up set. We know winter can be tough financially for those on the DJ scene but shouldn’t you be supporting each other too?