The Tribeca Film Festival: Party Planning

The Tribeca Film Festival, thankfully, is not as overrun by the US Weekly set as Sundance. And its parties don't quite rival Fashion Week's as barometers of heat-seeking local nightspots. But there are fun times to be had outside of the movie theaters. Here's a look at some of the bigger shindigs.

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Meskada premiere after-party at Libation. Thursday, April 22nd.

Conspicuous Ludlow Street (and maybe Williamsburg!) velvet rope club Libation will welcome cast members including Grace Gummer (Meryl Streep’s daughter), Jonathan Tucker and Michael Cerveris,and writer/director Josh Sternfeld.

The Western Front post-screening reception on the Intrepid. Friday, April 23nd.

Former marine Zachary Iscol shot The Western Front on-location during a counterinsurgency in Iraq's Anbar province. Following the first screening on Friday night, big names including Caroline Kennedy and Chelsea Clinton will toast the documentary aboard the Intrepid, an appropriate setting for the war film.

Straight Outta LA premiere after-party at Marquee. Friday, April 23rd.

Ice Cube directed this movie, a look at the intersection of sports and a nascent music genre called rap in South Central during the early '80s. He'll celebrate its TFF debut at Marquee. Snoop Dogg, still smarting from cigarette smoking woes at M2, will be on hand.

Vidal Sassoon: The Movie reception at The Standard. Friday, April 23rd

The Vidal Sassoon doc is one of the more anticipated entries in this year's festival. And the hairdresser to the stars is getting a fittingly glitzy party at watering hole du jour Top of the Standard (nee Boom Boom Room).

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll after-party at The Breslin. Saturday April 24th.

Yet another documentary, this one about punk and New Wave trailblazer Ian Dury. It's too bad CBGB is no longer around to host a bash like this. But at least the shabby-chic Breslin's bathrooms won't inspire projectile vomiting. Which would actually be pretty punk, no?

Last Play At Shea reception at 675 Bar. Sunday, April 25th.

Billy Joel, who shares the spotlight with dearly departed Shea Stadium in this doc, will give 675 Bar its biggest dose of star power since Paul Johnson Calderon entered its subterranean walls.

The Killer Inside Me after-party (presented by Stolichnaya) at Avenue. Tuesday, April 27th.

Does Jessica Alba still have a shot at a career? Will Casey Affleck recover from his stint filming Joaquin Phoenix's bizarre Letterman antics? Find out in Michael Winterbottom's thriller, which will have a vodka-soaked fete at Avenue.

Please note that all parties are RSVP only.