Helio Drift's Big Do

Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com

RSVPs:  Kate Walsh and Cuba Gooding Jr. rock out, but so does that really fat guy from Borat
Where:  Hollywood
When:  Nov. 13

Not all parties need to be a disco inferno of celebrity heat. And sometimes that's a good thing. Case in point: the Samsung Helio Drift bash. It’s a somewhat dialed down affair that nonetheless simmers all night, thanks to a performance by hipster magnet Beck and scads of stars, like Kate Walsh and Cuba Gooding Jr., all eager to float in just for the Helio of it.

Promoters of the party and the Drift gizmo ("Don't call it a phone," I'm told) point out that it comes with GPS, video capabilities, a MySpace tie-in and a nifty two-megapixel camera with flash. Plus, it's also great for making calls (though just don't call 'em phone calls).

With Sidekick addicts, er, aficionados and chronic scenesters Paris and Lindsay off in London for the World Music Awards, this bash promises to draw a fresh crowd—at a fresh venue, too. Instead of the standard trendy club or chic bistro, the launch of this high-tech device is being held at an old car dealership! Inside, the funky open-aired space features splashes of white paint across the cement walls and hunky boys in matching painter jumpsuits, dangling their legs from scaffolding. Cool, a beefcake balcony!

The closest we come to a paparazzi frenzy is when Rachael Leigh Cook gets bonked on the noggin by a microphone in the preparty press line. Spotting her at the bar, I ask about the incident, but she’s none the worse for wear, looking as adorable as ever with bright red lips and a bouncy ponytail. Asked why we never see her out on the town, Rachel proudly waves her geek flag: "The truth is I didn't get invited to those exciting parties. I'm sure I would've gotten into my fair share of trouble, but I was too busy being a little bit uncool." I guess she wasn't all that, after all.

Accentuating the high-tech, low-key vibe is a strong showing from the generally sober L. Ron Hubbard posse. The sci-fi faithful include not only the Scientologically inclined smirk-rocker Beck but actors Jenna Elfman, Christopher Masterson, Marisol Nichols and Crash's Michael Pena. Holding court for the whole Hubbard crew is Earthlink founder, Helio CEO and church honcho Sky Dayton. Yes, Sky's the limit for this fete. Nowhere to be seen, however, is über-pooh-bah Tom Cruise, who is somewhere or another, doing something else. Oh, yeah—getting married in Italy. Whatever, dude.

Plenty of non-churchies are on hand, too. Jack Osbourne looks slim but glum, sulking in a corner with some friends. Must be missing those carbs! Also looking a tad bored is wild child Bijou Phillips, who spends the night smoking in the back sans her Hilton party pals. A more energetic Chris Kattan shimmies his way through the action, periodically posing for pics with Asian hottie China Chow—perhaps he's hoping to score a free meal at her daddy's Bev Hills restaurant, Mr. Chow? And gold medalist Oksana Baiul turns heads in a cropped velvet top and low-rise jeans. Who knew ice skaters could look so deliciously trashtastic? Well, anyone who saw her as a judge on America Has Talent, that's who. But I don't think either of those viewers is at this party.

After swooning over beautiful former Lost lad Ian Somerhalder from afar, I spot Drew Lachey. He isn't as big of a partyer as big bro Nick, but tonight, he's ready to rock to Beck. I try to score some free dance tips, but all he'll tell me is, "Keep in rhythm," which isn't hard for someone who won Dancing with the Stars to do. Then he drops the true wisdom on me: If all else fails, he says, "Drink!" Finally, a dance technique even I can master.

I notice Cuba Gooding Jr. eyeing my red dress, as he chats up two babes. The next thing I know, Mr. Show Me the Money steps directly in front of me, kisses my hand and says, "You look fantastic." What a charmer! He even turns to my party pal, publicist Enjoli, and tells her she has nice feet! It was all totally harmless, but it may be time for the wifey to put Cuba on a tighter leash.

Here's something you won't see at every party: Heroes star Hayden Panettiere hugging Ken Davitian, aka the fat guy from Borat. Luckily, the 17-year-old escapes unharmed—though the psychological effects could be long lasting: I'm still scarred by Ken’s nude scene in the flick, so I'm thrilled when he proclaims, "I wore a fat suit." That was one helluva makeup job!

Before Beck hits the stage, Samantha Ronson keeps the deejay booth in Mellow Gold mode with an eclectic array of vintage classics, like Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" and Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff." Her late, great guitar-god daddy, Mick Ronson, would have been proud! Deejay friends Danny Masterson and Steve Aoki certainly are, as they stop by to watch Samantha spin, before a scruffy-looking Macy Gray heads over to say hello. By the time Beck kicks off his tight 20-minute set with "Black Tambourine," the crowd is primed, if not yet fully pumped.

Who needs Tom Cruise when you've got Rex Lee? Though there is no VIP section for this bash, enterprising Entourage assistant Lee manages to make one for himself and his party pals. By cleverly arriving early, he scams the only booth with a view of the stage and dances up a storm on the white leather sofa, blocking everyone standing behind him—impressive for someone so tiny! Clearly, Lee is channeling the absent Scientology Top Gun. Getting in on the Oprah-esque furniture footwork is Lee's buddy John Cho, who spends the night telling people to "expect ridiculosity" from his upcoming sequel to Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. Amping up the star power considerably, Grey's Anatomy's Kate Walsh hops on the platform area to join the fun. The spirit is infectious. Who would have expected the Entourage gofer to be the center of any party? Now, that's some ridiculosity right there. Whatever you call it, it just might be the secret ingredient every successful party needs!

Additional party scoping provided by fete froshy My Thanh Mac