Emmys 2011: Time to get the party started

Sure, the screen is small, but wait until you see the bar tab. With Sunday’s prime-time Emmy Awards, the annual celebration of television and its humble efforts, comes the inevitability of Champagne-soaked celeb parties. Be it the hot young things of “Glee” gallivanting at the Los Angeles Convention Center’s West Hall or the seriously funny anchors of Comedy Central cavorting in Hollywood, here’s a handy guide to fetes that will host Emmy’s big winners. And lots of nominees … because it’s an honor just to be included, right?

Kick-off: To start the engines on Emmy festivities, Audi and David Yurman held an exclusive cocktail party at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood on Sunday. Show host Jane Lynch turned up with her wife , Lara Embry, to rub elbows with “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner and his star Elisabeth Moss, plus Octavia Spencer, Mark Salling, Aziz Ansari, Jessica Capshaw, “Modern Family” siblings Julie Bowen and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Desperate Housewives” alum Dana Delany with final season star James Denton and “Bridesmaids” breakout gal Melissa McCarthy.

Entertainment Weekly / Women in Film: The magazine returns for a ninth year in a row to toast TV stars, for the third year with nonprofit Women in Film as co-host. On Friday evening, swanky steakhouse Boa plays host to such RSVPs as Bill Maher, Jack McBrayer, Colin Hanks, Randy Jackson, Cat Deeley, Rashida Jones, Taraji P. Henson, Joe Manganiello, Olivia Munn, Eric Stonestreet, James Woods, Alfre Woodard and George Clooney’s new love interest, Stacy Keibler. Young Hollywood will be counted as well, in the person of such bright young things such “Friday Night Lights” actor Grey Damon, Aubrey Plaza, Harry Shum Jr. and “30 Rock’s” Katrina Bowden.

Performance Nominee Reception: The performance peer group and Grey Goose welcome nominees in acting categories, also Friday, for this well-attended bash. The Pacific Design Center shows off its sleek interiors and opens up its expansive rear deck with views of the Hollywood Hills, as Wolfgang Puck caters from his ground-floor shop. Guests will include Jon Cryer, Connie Britton, Matt LeBlanc, James Woods, Christina Hendricks and “Modern Family” siren Sofia Vergara.

BAFTA Tea Party: High off the success of its summer “Brits to Watch” event, which attracted global attention thanks to the attendance of William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the British Academy of Film and Television will hold its annual tea party in celebration of the awards. Chairman Nigel Lythgoe will pull out cups and saucers at Beverly Hills’ L’Ermitage Hotel on Saturday afternoon for Melissa Leo, Julia Ormond, Loretta Devine, Nicole Scherzinger, Rich Sommer, Elizabeth McGovern, Kevin McHale, Mary Lynn Rajskub and Brenda Strong.

Governors Ball: The first and arguably best-attended bash is thrown by the governors of the television academy on-site at the awards, at the convention center’s West Hall. Caterer Patina will prepare a three-course meal for the evening’s big winners, featuring an heirloom tomato salad, filet with Vermont white cheddar and macaroni gratin and cake pops as parting gifts. Grey Goose will erect its custom ice bar and serve the official show cocktail, the Emmy, for those clutching gold — last year, that included Edie Falco, Jim Parsons, Bryan Cranston, Kyra Sedgwick, Ryan Murphy and the cast of “The Pacific.”

Entertainment Tonight: The prime-time showbiz program returns to downtown Los Angeles’ former cathedral Vibiana to celebrate its 15th year of Emmy after-partying. VisitCalifornia.com will craft a theme that shows off the best of our sunny state’s offerings, including wine and a menu of coastal treats. Song bird Stevie Nicks will serenade such folks as Steve Buscemi, Ian Somerhalder, Adrian Grenier, John Slattery, Jane Krakowski, Darren Criss, Kathy Griffin, Cheryl Hines and Cara Buono.

HBO: The cabler and past trophy-snatcher returns to the Pacific Design Center with a fire-and-water theme as Mr. Puck lends his spatula to this event as well, serving up Creole-spiced lobster and shrimp with grits — no doubt a nod to the sexy Southern town of Bon Temps depicted in “True Blood.” A tangerine and raspberry color scheme will complement the mugs of Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, Carrie Fisher and cast members from “Mildred Pierce” and “Game of Thrones.”

Comedy Central: The funny men and women will share plenty of laughs, and perhaps a statuette or two, in Hollywood after the awards show. At the Hamptons-inspired Colony, driftwood and nautical accents will be graced by nominees such as Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and creators from “South Park” and “Futurama.” Comedy Central is known for its upped fun quotient and downplayed pageantry, so expect this to also be the loosest bash. Take this excerpt from the invite as proof: “They’re giving out weird gold angels. We’re giving out free drinks.”

matt.donnelly@latimes.com