Golden Globe parties crowded with stars

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Post parties after the Golden Globe Awards, less raucous than in previous years, flowed instead of crackled, conjuring up the understated 1920s glamor of black-and-white French-directed silent film and Globe comedy or musical winner "The Artist."

Celebrities at several after-parties located around the Beverly Hilton Hotel following Sunday's awards ceremony made the rounds noshing on gourmet comfort food, sipping martinis, chatting and dancing, but the overall party vibe felt more serene than spastic. Sophisticated, pared down decorations completed the effect, adding to a certain "je ne sais quoi" in the air.

"It's felt very, very mellow tonight, but in a good way," said "American Horror Story" star Connie Britton just before midnight at the Warner Bros. bash with InStyle magazine at the hotel's Oasis courtyard.

Britton, fresh off celebrating Jessica Lange's supporting actress in a series, miniseries or TV movie win for the show, summed up the sense of laidback acceptance pervasive at the parties:

"Jessica's win felt communal. I came here to support the show. I didn't feel pressure about winning or losing," said Britton, who also noted she was tired, with a newly adopted baby to care for at home.

"Modern Family" starlet Sofia Vergara, in a Sophia Loren-esque strapless blue Vera Wang gown, laughed and swayed with her son and friends next to a DJ spinning '80s tunes in the party's large tent, decorated with a sculpture suspended from the ceiling blinking red and blue lights. Starkly fragmented mirrors tinged with red neon lights lined the walls. In past years, a live cover band added spice to the party.

Vergara was happy about the show winning a trophy for best musical or comedy series — but she also expected her night to end well before the wee hours.

"That's the good thing about L.A., that you can finish early. I'm going to go soon. I'm old," said the gorgeous 39-year-old actress, with a mock frown, at 10:45 p.m.

Other guests, which included "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm, singer Adam Levine, John Stamos, Zooey Deschanel and her sister Emily Deschanel, feasted on roasted root vegetable salad and crostini with apple and fig jam.

Earlier in the evening, at the NBC-Universal rooftop party, guests packed the dance floor to watch singer Janelle Monae, rocking her trademark pompadour, perform with her eight-piece band. Guests, mostly industry insiders, munched on sushi, roast beef and grilled salmon in the modern, tented nightspot.