DNC 2012: Jeff Bridges, Adrian Grenier & The Honey Brothers Make An IMPACT On Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC -- With the 2012 Democratic National Convention scheduled to be gaveled to order later this afternoon, many attendees arrived on Monday in preparation for the start of the three days of festivities.

And the IMPACT Arts + Film Fund stood ready to welcome them all to Charlotte last night, with a crowded kick-off party held inside the bold interior of Butter at the NC Music Factory complex.

Acclaimed actor Jeff Bridges served as the event’s special guest and arrived early enough to spend a few minutes mingling with VIPs and sponsors before taking the stage to highlight some of the movie slate being showcased at this year’s IMPACT Film Festival.

Spotted talking inside the two-story venue was director Kirby Dick, Debbie Dingell, Susan Blumenthal, Maria Cuomo Cole, Nancy Bagley, and Jeanne Wolak, among many other notables.

While “The Dude’s” remarks were certainly met with a volley of applause from the party’s guests, it was nevertheless the musical stylings of The Honey Brothers that brought them to their feet.

And although drummer Adrian Grenier is arguably the most well known of the group, thanks to his high profile “day job” on HBO hit Entourage, the affable actor happily ceded the spotlight to band mates Andrew Vladeck, D.S. Posner, Ari Gold, and Daniel Green throughout the performance.

Beyond a kick-off celebration for the Democratic convention itself, yesterday’s event sought to highlight the role of the IMPACT Arts + Film Fund in connecting filmmakers with the political and policy arena.

As it did during the Republican National Convention last week, the non-profit will be screening a select number of films from its 2012 festival slate all throughout the convention this week. Receiving a particular amount of buzz is Ethel, a documentary about Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy.

Talking about making an impact…