Stars shine — briefly — at Sundance party

updated 6:01 p.m. ET Jan. 18, 2009

PARK CITY, Utah - Ah, the glamour of the Sundance Film Festival party circuit: Long lines in the cold, throngs of people trying to sneak in and the ever-so brief appearances of celebrities who show up to get their pictures taken and then exit out a back door.

For 10 days, this mountain town makes Utah look a little more like "The Hills" and a lot less like "Big Love" with its carnival-like atmosphere of celebrities, paparazzi and a seemingly never-ending string of parties along the city's historic Main Street.

The scene was no different late Saturday at the Kenneth Cole Black party, where Nick Cannon served as a guest DJ for a party intended to honor independent filmmaking. Clips showing stars like Kevin Bacon, Alan Cumming and Jeff Corrigan played on about half a dozen flat screen TVs throughout the room as partygoers munched on popcorn in miniature tubs and drank beer bearing pink stamps that verifies it was bought at a state liquor store and is full strength — unlike most beer served in Utah.

Held on the bottom floor of the luxurious Sky Lodge on Main Street, the intimate venue quickly became packed with movie executives, festival volunteers and celebrities who struggled to make it to the bar to get a drink and risked knocking over people next to them if they danced. The room's stated capacity of 114 people was easily broken by 11:30 p.m.

Shaggy hits Sundance
Denise Richards, who spent the earlier part of the day learning to snowboard, spent no more than 15 minutes at the party mingling with a few friends as a camera crew filming a reality television show followed her around.

While Richards drew plenty of attention, Matthew Lillard was able to largely go unnoticed, even calling out a camera crew for interviewing him without knowing his name or what movies he's appeared in. Lillard is best known for appearing in "Scream" and "Scooby Doo," although he said he's looking forward to getting away from being known as the character Shaggy.

Many of the celebrities who were there, including Bacon, spent their few minutes at the venue talking to each other just off the red carpet and outside the main entrance to the bash because it was one of the few areas with space.

The packed house didn't seem to dampen the spirits of Virginia Madsen, who was continually smiling and worked the crowded room with ease as hits from the 80s played.

In town since Wednesday to serve on the Sundance jury, Madsen said she's been having a blast watching movies.

"I love it. I absolutely love it. I'm having a great time," she said.

For up-and-coming stars like Chyna Layne, whose film "Push" premiered at Sundance Friday, the festival provides limitless opportunities to party and stargaze.

"I don't even drink, but I'm going to end up on the floor," she said before heading to two other parties.

Her favorite part of Sundance though?

"Sitting next to Robert DeNiro at the premiere. That is the highlight of my life right now," she said.

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