Beijing was dying for sun and fun by the pool, so Riviera Events mastermind Benoit Thebaut gave it the coolest party of the summer

Home

9:26 a.m. Slowly wake up. Today is the second Riviera Pool Party. The weather forecast predicts a lot of sun. I’m totally excited!

10:12 Finish breakfast, then hurry up and get dressed. Stephane, my business partner, is waiting for me as usual. We live in both Shanghai and Beijing at the moment. It’s like having a flat mate for two or three days a week. All the pros, none of the cons.

The Gear

10:24 Wearing: white tank top, sunglasses and a pair of shorts. In my bag: a swim suit, a second pair of sunglasses, suntan lotion, flip-flops and, of course, some vinyl. I’m not a DJ, but I sometimes spin for fun–mainly music I collected when I was teenager.

Sunstyle

10:58 I’m at Sunstyle where we hold the pool party. Jenny, our project manager, is finalizing the setup. Stephane and I check that everything is fine.

Noon Sound system is up and we have the first sound check. I love this moment when everything is set, no one is there, the place looks great and the first bass line is bumping.

12:10 p.m. Camille and Max arrive. Camille is our talent manager and Max our door bitch. Camille also happens to be my younger sister and Max is her boyfriend.

Champagne

12:50 The first bottle of Mumm Champagne pops before the guests arrive. This freshens us up a bit under the heavy sun.

12:53 My phone has been ringing for the past hour. I filter the calls and messages, not because I don’t want to answer, but because if I took every call, I won’t have time to do anything else. My phone is constantly ringing because we have the same party running at the same time in Shanghai. Would be fantastic to have screens on both pool locations with live feeds to see what’s happening on the other side of the country in real time. Got to work on that.

Pool People

1:10 The first bus arrives from Suzie Wong’s pick up point. The first 20 people are all dressed up beach style. I love it when girls wear high heels and bikinis. Damn sexy!

3:30 We’ve got nearly 300 people now. The resident DJ of Bling is playing. Azat and Keza are on deck. Stephane opens another bottle of Mumm.

4:48 Look at my watch. I wish I could stop time for a while. I’m in Beijing, but it’s like being on vacation. We work hard all year, but it’s worth it for this moment.

5:17 Quick phone call to Seb, our creative director, at the Shanghai pool party. He tells me: “You should be here, you have to see this!” I tell him that Beijing is not bad either. Maybe next week we’ll swap cities.

6:30 Fire breather in action. I ask them if can I try. The guy looks at me like I’m crazy.

7:10 We open our 15th bottle. I feel like climbing on the roof top to see what the place looks like from up there. Not sure if it’s a good idea though.

7:25 More swimming, more dancing, more laughing, more pictures, more Mumm.

8:32 People are acting crazy in the hot tub.

Home

8:54 I want to stay, but need to get ready for the after-party At Suzie Wong’s. My legs are tired. I’m a bit dizzy, but feeling great.

9:35 I cook something quick to eat–pasta, chili tomato sauce and extra Parmesan cheese. I just love that Parmesan.

10:10 Quick shower, the cold water helps me feel better. It’s been a Champagne marathon! Almost nine hours of drinking with all my Beijing friends.

Suzie Wong’s

10:37 I’m dressed and on my way to Suzie Wong’s for the official after-party. I’m so glad that my home is only five minutes away.

3:14 a.m. Feel tired so decide it’s time to leave.

ome

3:37 In bed thinking about my 10 a.m. flight back to Shanghai.

What we think...

Sure, Benoit’s the most over-exposed media darling this side of the Huangpu, but look at those abs! He’s earned it. Tell us what you think about Benoit at www.cityweekend.com.cn/dayinthelifeBJ. Or catch him at the Riviera pool party in September and tell him yourself.