The third day of Sundance was all about the parties (who goes for the films anymore?). Just kidding, but not really.
The coolest event of the evening was put on by none other than jack-of-all-trades James Franco, who seemed to be premiering about a dozen films at the festival.
The actor co-directed, produced and starred in Interior. Leather Bar., a reimagining of the segments cut from William Friedkin’s 1980 film Cruising. He produced kink, a documentary about Kink.com, the leading producer of bondage-and-discipline pornography. He also plays Hugh Hefner in Lovelace, which tells the story of Deep Throat star Linda Lovelace.
He was also the featured attraction at MPIC Events’ Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Everest Mansion on Saturday evening. The Brownie Brittle-sponsored event was hosted by Mekhi Phifer and Ali Nejad and attended by Montell Williams, Paul Rudd, Matt White Emile Hirsch, Danny McBride, Paris Hilton, Alessandra Ambrosia, Brian Wilson and Tony Danza.
Earlier in the evening he attended at dinner thrown by Stella Artois at The Lift in support of kink.
DJ Politik pumped up the crowd spinning favorites all night long until Nas came on stage to do a special performance.
When he took the stage he exclaimed, “We usually do TAO in Vegas and TAO in New York. This is TAO Utah – how real is that!?” Joining him on stage was crowd favorite Lil Jon who helped him pump up the crowd. Adrian Grenier, Jesse Williams, and Danny Masterson joined in the DJ booth and partied into the late night.
Other tastemakers and celebrities spotted at TAO included CAA’s Kevin Huvane, Mami Gummer, Gabby Hoffman, Karina Smirnoff, Scooter Braun and Geyer Kosinski.
Those who wanted another option headed to Hyde for the Masterson brothers’ pop-up, Downstairs. Adrian Grenier was on the scene, naturally, as was Victoria Secret angel Alessandra Ambrosio and her husband, Jamie Mazur. Oscar nominee Shailene Woodley got cozy with co-star Shiloh Fernandez on the dance floor, while NFL player Andrew Luck and his football player cohorts worked the room until 2 AM. Lil Jon had a second celebration here as he downed tequila shots with with Sal Masakela, Cisco Adler, Skylar Grey and Kate Voegele.
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