Received an email last week that was quite unexpected - somehow I've ended up on a PR company's invite list; highly unexpected as I'm a nobody with a job that has nothing to do with anything "cool", "creative" or "interesting"; but I am shallow and cheap enough to abuse a free bar and canape waiters (thanks Justin Hemmes).
I've only been the Ivy once before, having made a decision early on in my life to avoid going out anywhere in the CBD (this has recently caused issues with La Campagna/Good God despite that place being awesome). My last visit lasted 45 minutes, Saturday night for a Pete Versus Toby party - cool party, held in the change room for the pool - I was distracted by Peter Garrett's daughter (not Grace, another one who is a blonde and willowy babe and also around a foot taller than I am sadly). Despite being on a guest list entry was still a nightmare - I was rescued by one of my mates who was a doorbitch there so he just walked us through - if it hadn't been for him I would have given up. Party was packed and the crowd was "meh" at best. So that was my last Ivy experience.
What can I say about it this time? Well it was less busy but still had a buzzy vibe, plus I ended up at the pool - you can see where (if the gossip pages are right) Hemmes has done his dosh. AMAZING. Especially when you think of its location - just off George St - you wouldn't have an idea of where you were unless you knew. The pool also somehow avoids the over-chlorinated asphyxiation or the so salted it burns effect.
No one checked out names off on the list when entering - this was a bit strange - but considering Dialogue PR managed to send their list of contacts out with the invite this may not be all that strange. Good stuff regarding privacy laws.
In terms of the crowd? Not many "celebs" really - as it was an artistic event there was a lot of the Surry hills creative crowd, the only one I could positively identify being Alvin Manolo of St. Augustine Academy. There was a certain tall male model who has given himself the moniker of a day of the week that I will not mention here as that guy's a big enough wanker already and does not need any more help.
There was a clone of Daniel Merriwether doing the rounds (unless it was him - but why would he bother being back in Oz?) and Ryan Stokes also appeared. He's much taller than I thought. The urge to push him into the pool did go through my mind but the urge to live to an old age took over, thus confirming the death of the "18 year old anarchist" in my soul. I did touch his back however when having to move to the bar. He felt like us mere mortals, although his suit was very soft - I couldn't identify it - all I know is that I want it.
Despite it being a warm evening the pool wasn't being used - just before I left two girls/perhaps models jumped in fully clothed. Whether they had been paid I don't know. There was an older gent in fishermans cap who must have been part of the paid entertainment - he was dancing near the rinsing showers and near a giant pink inflatable teddy bear but despite his best efforts the crowd was pretty subdued.
It was a good fundraiser in terms of the entertainment but I doubt in terms of fundraising it made much - gold coin donation was a requirement for entry but unless the guy holding the box at the entrance was hiding muscles in his stick like arms, he didn't look like he had collected much. On the other hand there were a lot of people around the pool so hopefully they had all donated.
Of the artworks on the walls? Standard collection of modern pop/street art - that were all for sale but I had not seen any marked as sold which is disappointing.
Would I go to the Ivy again? Maybe. The free booze helped. The crowd was not what I expected (and had seen before) - I expected horrible white pointed crocodile skin pointy shoes, badly cut pale grey suits and big sunnies, of which there was a smattering but perhaps the "arty" crowd put them off. Personally though I'd rather visit one of the new small bars such as Bondi's Rum Diaries or Darlo's Dr Pong, Pond or Ching-a-lings. It was an experience however and if you get the chance you should definitely check it out - but perhaps when the booze is free and not the presumed nightmare of Friday/Saturday.
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