The Wisconsin Film Festival tried something new this year. In past years they hosted an opening night VIP gala featuring some top notch local acts. This year they changed it up hosting two parties at Cafe Montmartre on Friday and Saturday. It is a nice change of pace and hopefully a precursor to the potential for parties every night next year. One thing I felt the fest lacked in the past was opportunities for film fans to mingle outsie of standing in line (for example, today's unique mingling opportunity at Steep and Brew on State Street from 3 to 5 p.m. when you can flex your film trivia knowledge by playing Cineplexity).

The first party of the week was last night at Cafe Montmartre and was a raging success. The featured performer was Leslie and the Lys, a band that has shook the foundation of Madison many times (most recently at the Circa Fashion Show). Leslie's Gem Army came out in force and according to event hostess Bessie Cherry (also a Dane101 contributor) they mixed in well alongside the Film Fest VIPs. Cherry told Dane101:

"She was definitely a spectacle and she was definitely theatrical. You could definitely tell her fans from their gem suits, gem sweaters, and loud outfits. One thing I did notice was that the fans genuinely appreciated all of the free food.”

Cherry said she overheard one woman in the crowd say, "Madison may have found its new Thunder and Lightning."

According to the audience they felt the Lys were a good fit because of her theatrics and her penchant for referencing films (as well as occasionally pitching to the crowd that she would be a great subject for a future film).

As for the VIPs, Cherry spent some time outside talking with some of the actors, producers and directors including Chalk director Mike Akel and Border director Chris Burgard. She said they were all mostly "raving" about Madison being the perfect place for a film festival.

Burgard, a former Wiscosninite, told Cherry that he really enjoys Madison, although someone did throw a rock at him earlier in the day. He didn't elaborate on the size or why.

Catch the second Film Fest party featuring Madison's Blueheels tonight at Cafe Montmartre!

Photos from Chris Norris of The Chris Project!

Jesse Russell

Co-Editor

Jesse was born and raised in Connecticut, began blogging in 1997, and moved to Madison in 2003. In 2005, he co-founded dane101 along with Kristian Knutson and Shane Wealti. In addition to helping nearly a dozen contributors run this website he's helped launch various events in the city including What's Your Damage?!, the MadPubQuiz of Awesomeness, the Fire Ball Masquerade, Dane101's Freakin' Halloweekend, and more.