One of the most intriguing aspects of the Sundance experience was the constant surprises. I just never knew what fun and interesting event was going to come my way via text or just happening upon by chance. There was so much to do and really just not enough time to do it all.
The DAY ONE party started with a line about 200 people deep. Now usually, when one is required to stand in line or take a bus, one gets irritated with the inconvenience of it all. But at Sundance, waiting in line was one of its charms. You see, you never knew who you might meet! You could meet the composer of FILLY BROWN (Reza Safinia) or the parents of the director of THE PACT. Or maybe it'll be a journalist from England covering the festival! The list goes on and on and everyone is excited and energetic about the entire Sundance Experience. As I was waiting in line, PCTV (Park City TV) was interviewing people in front of me and behind me. People I knew I should recognize, but out of context and face to face, I was clueless.
I entered the party and received permission from the Sundance coordinators to take photos (I never want to break the rules and I think WKAN might be a bit embarrassed if I got kicked out!) then proceeded to the bar. That's right the bar. Here the line was only 50 deep, but again, the people I chatted with were interesting! I met the director and writer of MADISON COUNTY, a movie I hope to be able to share with everyone soon. I then proceeded to the sidelines to take candid photos. Again, being packed in like sardines, I met the president of American World Pictures, Mark L. Lester. Fun conversations revolving around business initially and then life as we all experience it, made going to a party alone, a lot of fun!
Making my way through to the other parts of the venue, I spied people I (once again) should know but couldn't put my finger on their identity. I also viewed a sleepy partier and then Park City's finest keeping the crowd under control. I really think they had a pretty sweet gig being on duty at this party. (Note the huge smiles on their faces!)
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| 2 of Park City's Finest! |
The next evening, we went to stroll along Main St. and happened into a few parties. They actually let us in! I think it had something to do with the big a** camera and press credentials I carried. Anyway, Sundance HQ, great music, and Mary K. Blige doing an interview about her documentary THE INVISIBLE WAR made the evening a wonderful surprise! Street musicians performing really make Park City feel energized and alive. Every night there was someone else pulling us toward their harmonic tones.
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| John Forte |
One of the last evenings, I ventured in to ASCAP's Music Cafe. I just wasn't into watching another movie that afternoon and attempted to use my impressive press credentials for access. Guess what? They let me in! Pretty cool. Come to find out, I could have gotten in without them. Oh, well.
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| Natasha Bedingfield |
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| Ben Taylor |
I made my way to the bar ( I know, shocker!) and sidled in to a table. Of course this very tall man stood in front of me. Just my luck! Actually, it was just my luck because the tall man in front of me was Harvey Keitel! Wow! He looks GREAT! Totally fit and in shape...he obviously works out! What a nice, down-to-earth man who spoke casually with those around him with no sense of pretense or airs. I think I'll even watch all of PULP FICTION now! But Harvey and his significant other now appeared preoccupied with someone coming down the stairs from behind the black velvet curtain. As I looked, I knew she looked familiar, but I couldn't place who she was. Yes, I know, once again a shocker! She took the stage and was introduced by John Forte as Natasha Bedingfield! YES! That's who it was! (Now it came to my mind!) Natasha, John Forte, and Ben Taylor performed for another hour. What great voices I was lucky enough to hear! Not only were they musically talented, but they were true entertainers! It was so much fun!
An invitation to a cocktail party at ZOOM, Robert Redford's restaurant, was my final surprise of my Sundance experience, but unfortunately my family needed me to come home to NY. I'll have to wait till next year to experience more SUNDANCE SURPRISES!
To hear John Forte visit www.myspace.com/johnforte or Ben Taylor visit www.myspace.com/bentaylorofficial.
To see photos from the ASCAP music cafe visit
www.public.fotki.com/pampowell/ascap-music-cafe-su/
I made my way to the bar ( I know, shocker!) and sidled in to a table. Of course this very tall man stood in front of me. Just my luck! Actually, it was just my luck because the tall man in front of me was Harvey Keitel! Wow! He looks GREAT! Totally fit and in shape...he obviously works out! What a nice, down-to-earth man who spoke casually with those around him with no sense of pretense or airs. I think I'll even watch all of PULP FICTION now! But Harvey and his significant other now appeared preoccupied with someone coming down the stairs from behind the black velvet curtain. As I looked, I knew she looked familiar, but I couldn't place who she was. Yes, I know, once again a shocker! She took the stage and was introduced by John Forte as Natasha Bedingfield! YES! That's who it was! (Now it came to my mind!) Natasha, John Forte, and Ben Taylor performed for another hour. What great voices I was lucky enough to hear! Not only were they musically talented, but they were true entertainers! It was so much fun! 
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