Sundance Day Two, Part Two (Friday)

The House of Hype brought to you by The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino offered a darkened corridor, cocktail waitresses and a live DJ as you strolled the avenue of sponsors from Goodyear (no tires just cans of Tire Shine and Hotwheels toy cars) to USA Golf and Havaiana Sandals (create your own flipflops). As I crafted my Mongolian Barbecue Basket Shoe at the Puma booth, I felt the heat of cameras and fans. It wasn't for me; ha ha. Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy) was in the house; picking out her own set of Pumas. Josh promised my custom sneakers would be shipped by the end of the month and I got out of the limelight by scooting over to Oakley. A pixie-like, cool chick named Chelsea handed me a pair of their new Breathless sunglasses. Olsen twin glam with the technical specs of a true Oakley. They definitely give me that Sundance 'look'. Throw in the Frye Gloria pumps (Frye is making fashion shoes in addition to boots now) and my Utah friends might not recognize me.
The style continued at The Boost Mobile Lounge at The Marquee. The New York nightclub has once again assumed the Buddha Lounge space on Main Street during the first four days of the Festival. The boutique clients lining the swanky, intimate bar introduced celebs like Marcia Gay Harden and Rex Lee (Entourage) to Klipsch speakers, Lia Sophia jewelry, cuddly LNA “boyfriend” Tees and Primp cotton/poly hoodies and waffle tops decorated with cute little piggies, pandas, moons or sheep. I got the most fabulous ruffled dress coat from Tulle and it was a tough decision; they have so many charming styles. The bauble on my finger is a Lia Sophia original you can find only on their website (liasophia.com) or through in-home party reps, and the Boost reps insisted I put my Sprint phone in their new Boosted Device Case designed by graffiti artist Madsteez. What I appreciated more was their information on Boost Mobile itself - a Sprint division - that offers unlimited local and long distance cell calls for as little as $35 (no contract, no credit check, no activation fees) depending on your home calling area. Though this probably wouldn't work for a world-traveler like myself (you pay .15/minute outside your extended area), my boyfriend would save a ton of money and those H1 Visa resort employees will dance circles for this new product.
Another company with a fresh cousin is New Balance's PF Flyers. Sporty, action/fashion shoes like the Journa are the perfect spring shoe for a mountain girl. Finally, I will be anxiously waiting for a Treesje handbag to arrive on my doorstep. The collection of bags on display was gorgeous. We’ll see if it actually shows once the Sundance circus leaves town.
I capped off my visit with a smoothy like drink from Lifeway Kefir. With the pro-biotic cultures for a healthier immune system, I might be able to ward off a potential hangover from tonight's parties: MySpace, The Horrors and Maroon 5.
Three hours later…..I did. The open bars stood no chance against my resilience.
As I eecked into traffic on Deer Valley Drive at 6 p.m. I said, "Screw it!" and turned around. The mess was obscene. We were at a crawl from every intersection. By the time I got home, changed and back to town it would be 9. Instead, I called Ryan, asked him to bring my Fox Girls top, parked at a friend’s house to do my makeup, and met him on Main. Just in time to watch the ambulance haul away some guy who had tried to steal a plasma screen from the Main Street Mall but wound up plunging off the balcony of Shabu in his attempt to flee. I heard later, he suffered only a concussion. Of course, he was also under arrest.
At the Horrors screening of their documentary "Counting in Fives" at The Marquee, the champagne and Maker's flowed. We sat down behind Jared Leto in a dorky bomber hat, spying on him as he hobnobbed with the punk band members. The flick itself wasn't really my thing (I'm not into punk nor rockumentaries) but I appreciated the scene. I guess the parties on Friday overloaded city circuits and the power went out all over Main Street. The blackout lasted more than 20 minutes- enough time to sneak next door for the Maroon 5 show at Harry O's. No one paid attention to us because we randomly happened to have the same color wristband as their guests. I almost wished we had been bounced. The band played well but crowd was overwhelming. The only celeb (?) in sight was Ian Zering. I kept silently wishing someone would call the fire marshal- it was that packed. We got out at 1 and headed over to the T-Mobile Diner at the VAY. Live music wafted amid the yelps from drunk snowtubers outside. We entered and bee-lined for the tureens of gourmet mac n' cheese, apple crisp and chocolate bread pudding. Former model Rachel Hunter, with fuller hips, stood nearby with friends. Eventually it was time to head home but this time there was no traffic. We hitched and a nice woman from L.A. picked us up and brought us to Ryan's car at Kimball Junction. You gotta love small towns. Stay tuned for Saturday's update, the people, the parties and the ginormous Sundance attendance thanks to the writers' strike.

Sundance Day Two

My new favorite place is the Village at the Yard. I’m sure the organizers had this intension. They split with Best Events (Village at the Lift) to start their own enterprise and although it’s not drawing the A-listers just yet, because of the off-Main Street location, they have so much more to offer- including parking, room to breathe in the café and less snooty check-in girls.
Here’s my royal peeve. Even if you are unrecognizable as a celeb or don’t travel with a publicist in tow, you should be treated with the same respect or at least attention. You have absolutely NO idea when that person you just dissed might have something you need (whether its press, a ski lesson or your next job). And yet some folks here think their sh*t don’t stink. I read somewhere that you should treat everyone like a fan. Best advice I’ve ever had to consider. It made sense to me first when I was the third wheel of a #1 morning radio show. It was a classic rock show (like Howard Stern) and all sorts of characters approached like they knew me. As much as some of them scared me, I didn’t want strangers who were meeting me for the first time to run home and tell their friends what a bitch I was; and stop listening because of me. I wanted to be the one people talked about as “so nice”. Folks at the House of Hype whispered that all yesterday afternoon after Brittany Murphy floated through. Brittany’s got the right idea.
You want to be nice; even if you can’t help or can’t upgrade one type of pass to an all-access one. As I stood waiting for my turn at The Lift’s credential desk, I watched the girls at checkin assume one personality –sycophantic- when they recognized a name on a list, or arrogant and dismissive when they didn’t. Of course, some people just don’t care and I’ve been guilty of that on occasion but not on purpose. Sometimes our egos get the best of us and I suppose a four-day stint as the gatekeeper of a Sundance Lounge can go to your head, but jeez, folks, don’t let it!
In the everyday world, these girls they hire as Sundance credentialers are no more important than the person who foams their lattes on Monday morning. Just because they have the power of denial for this event should not spawn the kind of attitude you witness at the Sundance Film Festival. Unfortunately, This phenomenon is not limited to The Lift girls. It’s at the Sundance office itself, the houses and the parties. The ones who are the best at their jobs, however, (Fingerprint Communications operating the Boost Mobile Lounge, Stacey Wechsler’s Hired Gun Publicity, Tracy Paul & Company) get it. They actually look forward to meeting new people. But if you don’t, then fake it. You never know when the relationship you create will pay off.
That said, I was in wherever I wanted to be yesterday.
Kudos to Anderson Lumber off hwy 224 for moving out for the weekend to make the big bucks as the BNCPR’s Village at the Yard. In back, industry, media, and invited guests could drink Amstel Light around bonfire, snow tube on a mini sled hill, dine for breakfast, lunch and late night snacks at the wired T-Mobile Diner. With nearly 100,000 square feet, you aren’t angling for elbow room. I stopped at The Lift this morning and couldn’t help bumping into people- granted many had crowded around the front to take pictures with Method Man.
The VAY’s sponsors seemed to be more relaxed in their spacious environs. Timberland showcased their eco-friendly Earthkeeper boots. I can’t wait for it to warm up so I can don my Chelsea’s – the lining and outsole are recycled, the lining is also moisture wicking, they are fully waterproofed and they’re styling! I also picked up some Coochy cream from Pure Romance. Stealthy gifting celebs, the in-home personal products and accessories company has thought of everything for the bedroom; down to the “toy cleaner”. I’m looking forward to testing out the Basic Instinct pheromone cologne at the Roxy party tonight at Celsius. There was also room for the Humane Society to educate guests on seal-clubbing (I got a stuffed animal baby seal for Sage’s crib) and Diesel in partnership with A Perfect World encouraged me to select an outfit from their kids collection for one needy child participating in the APW are program. Twelve-year-old Shemar will be one styling dude soon! I stocked up with cream and conditioner at Drugstore.com’s Essentials Suite (I could have gotten some Airborne but my cold was at bay) and headed up town to the House of Hype for, what else?, hype.

First day of Sundance- Thursday Jan. 18

Location: Harry O’s NightclubSnow falls gently outside as maybe hundreds of eager Akon (or simply party) fans crowd the metal guardrail. The hoard of attractive women and guys in blazers, scarves and knit hats beg for VIP passage into the exit-only door. Many manage to squeak by, bewildering security.
As I make my move to the front to check the guest list, I merge with a group with obvious cache; I’m with them it’s assumed; I stick out my wrist and a plastic green band appears. I’m in, no questions asked! The mob behind me waiting to groove inside has no clue what just happened.After 2o minutes of hunting for that list to get my friends in the door, the guys give up and hand me two more bands. We’re all in! It’s nearly 11 p.m. The beat thumps and go-go dancers dressed like Halley Barry from James Bond, with striped knee socks and fuzzy black boots, gyrate; mesmerizing the men who obviously haven’t seen much action in a while. I silently wish I could dance like that.It’ll be a green night for Harry O’s. Patron shots ($12) sold like they’re running out of them. Akon doesn’t come on until nearly 1 a.m. (last call time) and I’ve sworn to leave by 1:30. Sigh. In the meantime, I’ve met a guy who promises to get me into the Maroon 5 show at Harry O’s tonight and another guy who will get me into the Hard Rock Party across the street and a gal who will get me into the ASCAP Music Café at the Star Bar. Everyone’s connected.More people will arrive today. Yesterday was mellow in comparison. I could find parking, my friends waitlisting for the Opening Night Premiere of In Bruges got in without a problem despite signing up only 30 minutes prior. I skipped that movie because Chase Masterson invited me to see her new movie debuting at the Park City Music Film Festival. I’m such a sucker for personal invites. The movie “Yesterday Was A Lie” held an interesting concept about time and memory but was a bit obtuse (obscure?) for the general public. Chase, however, did a great acting job. No complaints there.Today, it’s all about the gifting lounges before the evening festivities. I’m assuming that I’ll see as much green as Harry O’s. After all, green is ‘in’. For starters, the Sundance VIP baskets were filled only by eco-friendly companies. Chaos hats- with whom I work with in the ski industry- threw in a thick alpaca beanie and, although quite itchy, will look tres cool on the domes of Peter Sarsgaard, Quentin Tarantino, Jimmy Fallon, Mos Def, and more. So there’s The Lift, The Village at the Yard (which used to be the Village At The Lift), The Gibson Guitar Lounge, The Boost Mobile Lounge/The Marquee, The House of Hype, The L-R-G Gifting Villa, and I’m sure I’ve missed a bunch! Tonight, I’m looking forward to the Breakout British group The Horrors’ documentary screening at The Marquee and the after party. The MySpace premiere party is at the House of Hype from 6-9pm before that. And, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that secret entry into Maroon 5. Whew. I’ll sleep when it’s over. I'll also ski when it's over. It's too frickin' cold right now anyway - 10 degrees!!!