Sundance Scene: Connie Britton Reveals Her Own Kellyanne Conway DC Fashion Fail

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From the Women’s March that swamped Main Street on Saturday (Jan. 21) to cocktail party chortles of “alternative facts,” the stink cloud of the new presidential administration is hanging over Sundance 2017, piercing the traditionally liberal (and, frankly, “elite”) festival news bubble in Park City, Utah.

Nowhere was this felt more palpably than at the Creative Coalition’s Annual Spotlight Initiative Gala on Sunday night.

Also Read: Sundance Scene: Charlize Theron, Matt Damon, Kate Upton and More (Updating Photos)

Peter Dinklage - Kia Supper Suite Hosts The Creative Coalition's Annual Spotlight Awards

Peter Dinklage arrives at the Kia Supper Suite on Sunday night (Jan. 22)

This non-partisan group that fights for funding for the arts arrived in Park City less than 24 hours after hosting a “Right to Bear Arts” ball in D.C. on Friday night, only to wake up and find out that the new administration reportedly plans to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts.

Prolific producer Sarah Aubrey and Britton at the dinner, where Maestro Dobel Tequila and wines from Johndrow Vineyards flowed freely. (Getty Images)

Speaking at the awards dinner inside the Kia Supper Suite, honoree Connie Britton shared details of her own trip to Capitol Hill to lobby Congress for funding for the arts in 2008.

Also Read: Sundance Scene: Kristen Stewart, Judd Apatow, Elizabeth Olsen (Updating Photos)

“I showed up dressed to the nines and in Louboutins,” Britton told the gathered crowd. “I was in agony, [but] it was such an exciting day.”

Unlike Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway’s populist $3,600 Gucci inauguration outfit (below), Britton’s only crime was bringing glamour to D.C.

As of this writing, that’s still legal.

Though Britton was a prominent face at Saturday’s Women’s March in Park City, that was just the next chapter in the “Nashville” star’s habit of pounding the pavement (in heels or otherwise) as an advocate. She also told the assembled crowd — including a princess from Luxembourg — of her trip to Philadelphia in 2000 to lobby at the Republican National Convention.

Julia Ormond, Jay Duplass, and Robin Bronk (Getty Images)

“You guys were my teachers in [arts advocacy],” she said, addressing Creative Coalition CEO Robin Bronk and President Tim Daly, who showed up on crutches after a skiing accident.

Along with Britton, fellow artists with films at the festival receiving TCC honors for their advocacy included Laura Prepon, Jay Duplass, Julia Ormond and documentarian Barbara Kopple.

Award recipient Laura Prepon at the Creative Coalition Spotlight Initiative Gala at the Kia Supper Suite (Thomas Concordia/Getty Images).

Also Read: 27 Eye-Popping Portraits From TheWrap's Sundance Studio Presented by Kia (Exclusive Photos)

“We want to go out of business,” TCC’s Bronk said, echoing a refrain heard often at benefits for curable problems. “We don’t want to have [to produce] dinners to raise money to advocate for the arts.” Encouraging guests to engage at any level, Bronk made an unusual fundraising plea: “Don’t even give generously, just give a little bit.”

Jay Duplass going home happy with a trophy in the event’s official vehicle: The Kia Niro Hybrid Crossover. (Thomas Concordia/Getty Images)

Peter Dinklage harmonized with the anxiety pervading many at the festival. While introducing Ormond, the “Game of Thrones” star referred to himself as “mumbly, disgruntled, terrified-for-the-future me.”

It was not all doom and gloom, though.

As the dinner broke around 10 p.m. and a long line of guests huddled in the snow outside for the “Columbus” party that was to move to the venue next, news broke that The Orchard had acquired Prepon’s movie “The Hero.” (That’s the Sam Elliott-starring movie about an aging Western film star confronting his cancer diagnosis that had been buzzing around town since it debuted on Saturday.)

Cho and Posey grabbing themselves Topo Chico bottled water. (Thomas Concordia/Getty Images)

Later, queen of the Sundance indie, Parker Posey arrived like a ray of sunshine, sauntering in to the red carpet for the “Columbus” with co-star John Cho. As a Sundance veteran, she knows her way around a film party.

Cho and Posey helped themselves to sneak behind the bar for a bottle opener and to fetch their own drinks before hitting the carpet. It was an organic moment, not one set up for a pr shot, and another sign of support for the arts — the art of mixology.

TheWrap’s Party Report at Sundance is presented by the vehicle that will be shuttling filmmakers and casts to special events, the Kia Niro Hybrid Crossover. Among those special events are The Party Report’s party pal and HQ, the Kia Supper Suite at the brand-new Firewood on Main. Maestro Dobel Tequila and Johndrow Vineyards are the beverage sponsors. Keep up with real time images of the scene in Park City on @SundanceParties on Instagram.

Sundance Scene: Charlize Theron, Matt Damon, Kate Upton and More (Updating Photos)

Charlize Theron, Mary McCormack, and Chelsea Handler

Pink hats and post-march clothes dominated the sidewalk style scene on Saturday after a sea of activism filled Park City for the Women's March.

Here, the trio ducked in to the Hub at Park City Live, a sprawling hospitality lounge.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images
Aisha Tyler

Tyler brightened Saturday's favorite uniform (the pink hat) with a jacket that echoed a famous refrain from UFC fighter Ronda Rousey: "Fight like a girl."
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Handler would end the day as many do: at TAO.
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Common

In town a few days ahead of his movie premiere, the rapper was a surprise performer at the second night of the popular pop up nightclub.

Vegas nightlife photography sorcerer Al Powers captured this pic, with event partner Don Julio's 1942 Magnum as the trophy that sat atop VIP tables.

Not pictured: Jeremy Renner, Aisha Tyler and Mary J. Blige, all on the scene.
Al Powers/Powers Imagery
John Legend

Common's co-Oscar winner from two years ago for "Glory" made the rounds, stopping by this after-party and an event for his own WGN show "Underground" earlier in the night.

Al Powers/Powers Imagery
Matt Damon, Marcus Samuelsson and Gary White

A seated lunch at Sundance? Yes.

On the busy opening Saturday afternoon, the trio sat at a "head table" while chalices of Stella Artois were raised by the crowd. The event promoted the film-friendly brew's commitment to Damon and White's Water.org clean water philanthropy.
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Jeremy Renner

From one Jason Bourne to another...

Renner was one of the many faces to pass through AT&T's Village at the Lift on Saturday (Jan. 21).

The space has become an industry sanctuary this weekend. With minimal red carpet and flashbulb bombast, the photo-free Nobu restaurant and the Jeffrey Best-created "Cabin" restaurant/bar has had the same socially sticky bass line of Soho House.
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Jack Huston and Tye Sheridan

Though it loosk like an introduction, these two star in "The Yellow Birds," a drama about soldiers in the Iraq War.
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Dave Bautista

The former professional fighter's dystopian "Bushwick" opened up the first night of Kia Supper Suite at Firewood on Main, The Party Report's festival partner.

With a line stretching down the street, the Kias pulled up to bring cast and filmmakers in to the space formerly known as Cisero's.

Jason Schwartzman and prolific producer Lauren Selig were both spotted having private dinners earlier there on Saturday.

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"Bushwick": Bautista and Brittany Snow

Inside the packed opening night event away from the slushy streets outside, Bautista and Brittany Snow warmed up in the VIP booths downstairs.
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The Breakout Actors of Sundance 2017

Meanwhile, photographer Jeff Vespa curated the breakout performances of Sundance for his annual "Verge" list, a print book photo portfolio.

At Saturday night's party at DirecTV's space: Margaret Qualley, Keith Stanfield, Harris Dickinson, Josh O'Connor, Haley Lu Richardson, Michelle Morgan and Danielle Macdonald.
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Vespa addresses the crowd at the traditionally an industry-heavy affair that proved as popular as ever in a new space that doubles as a cafe during the day.
Randy Shropshire/Getty Images
Michelle Morgan and Jeff Vespa

There is heat for "the next big things." Before it was over, the fire marshal had to "shut down the door" as a safety issue -- meaning, nobody could get access regardless of status.

Honored for "L.A. Times," Morgan was safely inside before the cutoff.

Randy Shropshire/Getty Images
The "Verge" scene.
Randy Shropshire/Getty Images
Tiësto

Meanwhile, up at Park City Live, Tiesto played an "open format" set for film
"Before I Fall" and Gen-Z media powerhouse AwesomnessTV's party during Snow Fest.

Straying far from the four-four house thump, Tiesto pulled from all areas of pop music, weaving together Drake's "One Dance," MØ's "Final Song," Bieber's "Let Me Love You," Yeezus era Kanye, Twenty One Pilots' hit "Ride" and hip hop breakout 21 Savage alongside The Killers and his own hit "Red Lights." It was a musical #PotLuck.

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Justin Verlander and Kate Upton

At Tiesto's next door neighbor, Rock & Reilly's, we learned how it pays to be Kate Upton.

At a Golf Digest event with Conde Nast on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 21), the supermodel revealed her first golf lesson came from the late great Arnold Palmer.
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Keanu Reeves, Mimi Kim and Brian Malarkey

Buffalo ranch octopus, steak and the one-time "Matrix" man were on the menu at the second night of ChefDance. We know Chef Malarkey from Herringbone at the Mondrian in L.A. and Searsucker in Vegas.
Jordan Kartchner
Christina Robinson

The former "Dexter" star passed through Debbie Durkin's EcoLuxe Lounge -- the sole survivor of the formerly thriving gifting suite industry.

In addition to providing "hangover, altitude and anti-aging IVs," the organizers focused on promoting their charity partner Shriners for Children Medical Center.
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Roxanne Shanté

The hip hop pioneer of the early 1980's (center), who fueled one of the first "rap wars," has a biopic debuting on Sunday, "Roxanne Roxanne," lifting the chorus of an early hit.

The team behind Sundance 2015 sensation "Dope," Pharrell Williams and Forest Whitaker produced the feature.

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Kate Micucci

Kate broke off from the roving ensemble of "The Little Hours" to hit The Hub at Park City Live on Saturday afternoon, a sprawling hospitality lounge with a climate change activation and a pop-up studio from Marie Claire magazine.
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Barry Rothbart

Rothbart stars with "Fargo" Season 1 breakout Allison Tolman in the series "Downward Dog," which premiered its first four episodes at Sundance.

But first... the Hub at Park City live for a photo set up by the nonprofit Cool Effect, a climate change advocacy group.
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Artist Bennett Slater and Morgan Spurlock

It's not all motion picture arts and sciences here in Park City. There's also visual arts. Documentarian Spurlock led an artists' panel at the Kimball Arts Center on Saturday afternoon.

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Fares Fares and 4K

Only weeks after throwing CES, the Consumer Technology Association set up an array of 4k TV's in a suite on Main Street to make a case to the content community: "Consumers want 4k. Make it."

In addition to VR -- which is everywhere at the festival -- the second biggest consumer technology distribution topic is 4K. "Directors love it," one of the CTA reps told The Party Report, while hinting that some actors were nervous about being able to see every pore on a face.
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Sundance 2017: Inside and backstage the best industry bashes at the Sundance Film Festival with The Party Report’s Mikey Glazer, presented by the Kia Niro.

Charlize Theron, Mary McCormack, and Chelsea Handler

Pink hats and post-march clothes dominated the sidewalk style scene on Saturday after a sea of activism filled Park City for the Women's March.

Here, the trio ducked in to the Hub at Park City Live, a sprawling hospitality lounge.

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