The Scenestress at SFF’s Opening Night Gala
March 31st, 2009 by The Scenestress in Arts, News
FRIDAY, MARCH 27 — SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT GALA, VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL, SARASOTA
What’s big and purple and filled with a mountain of cocktail shrimp, bad ’80s dance music, members of the armed forces, and a handful of movie stars?
Answer: The Van Wezel, decked out for the Opening Night Film and Gala of the 11th Annual Sarasota Film Festival.
Sarasota’s finest have gathered this evening to preview the showcase film The Messenger and to get their drink on at the after-party. Though the subject of the movie was somewhat dour, the people still came to the gala in high spirits. Ladies are in their cocktail wear (lots of short dresses and high heels, of course). Most are looking good enough (one woman rocking an Herve Leger bandage dress); some are ridiculous and over-the-top (neon snakeskin-print pants for example); and there are a handful of ladies doing something different and cool (a sprite of a girl in a ruffled high-necked blouse, blazer and skinny pants).
As a tribute to the inspiration of the opening night film, the FF invited members of the U.S. military to the screening and party, who roamed the event in their stiff uniforms. Michael’s on East catered the event (umm, deviled eggs and sliders?) while the DJ was spinning an interesting mélange of club hits, disco and elevator music. The dance floor stayed empty till the very end of the night when the funkiness started breaking loose, thanks to all the Grey Goose, or rather, the ever-present Szambelan.
Ben Foster (at right) was one of the showcase stars in attendance, and when I spotted him I marched over to ask him about his favorite episode of Flash Forward. He pulled out a bag of loose tobacco and began rolling a cigarette by hand, telling me he didn’t believe I was a reporter (oh yes, I’m just dying to talk to the Ben Foster).
A friend had more success with Woody Harrelson, another star of the film. She said hello, and asked if he’d like to smoke a joint. With a flick of his hand, Harrelson and my girl were whisked around a corner for a little privacy and a nice chat about Maui this time of year. Save that one for the grandkids.
So the party was a success? Some partygoers commented that the setting wasn’t spectacular enough (the event has been held in the Ringling Museum courtyard in previous years). However, considering the current economic climate blah blah blah any kind of celebration is to be appreciated and enjoyed.
Once the lights started to come up my gang split to catch the tail end of the Isn’t She Lovely art show at Ceviche (naked ladies!), and then on to Esca for some serious dancin’.
Check back next week for my coverage of Night of a Thousand Stars at Michael’s, and the Film Fest Late Night Wrap Party. More celebs, more spirits, more shenaegans. The Scenestress is on the scene.
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