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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 10
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Arts patrons show love for the Louvre at High
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A harvest moon hovering overhead and a cool evening provided the perfect backdrop for the High Museum’s “Louvre Atlanta” Opening Fete party in Midtown Saturday night. The advance peek at the “Kings as Collectors” and “The King’s Drawings” collections on loan from the Louvre in Paris drew hundreds of colorfully attired attendees consisting of both High members and younger nonmembers eager to see the artwork.
As we passed “The Shade,” the High Museum’s sculpture by Auguste Rodin on the public piazza, we paused to reflect on the considerable contributions made by the 106 Atlanta arts patrons who were killed in that Air France crash near Paris in 1962. The tragedy forever solidified a bond between Paris and Atlanta. The sculpture was donated to the city by the French government as a tribute.
Inside, High development manager Michele Egan said the initial response to the show has been incredible. In lieu of the museum’s sluggish elevator, we opted for the stairs in order to take in the busts, the drawings and the paintings on various levels of the museum.
An advance warning: You may find yourself standing helplessly transfixed in front of Rembrandt’s “Saint Matthew and the Angel” until you begin to draw suspicious stares from security. And yes: We did spot the angel’s newly discovered wings in the 1661 painting.
Back out on the piazza, the live DJ even inspired dancing from formally attired couples when he played the Funky Lowlives’ remix of Dizzy Gillespie’s “Manteca.”
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Losing our heads
As Saturday night became Sunday morning, the party shifted a block over to the Four Seasons hotel. Inside Park 75 restaurant, the PaperCity magazine-sponsored “Louvre Atlanta” after-party inspired about 300 night owls to cram into the eatery for bubbly and some Marie Antoinette-inspired cake nibbling. The dining space had been almost instantly — and seductively — re-imagined by designer and florist Robert Long, who waited in the kitchen until the last of the Park 75’s late diners finished lingering over dessert.
“We wouldn’t have missed this,” said PaperCity Editor in Chief Holly Moore, who flew in from Houston for the occasion. “This is such an exciting time for the city of Atlanta. We’re happy to be a part of it.”
A $360,000 ‘Timeless Affair’
Earlier on Saturday night, skeletons of two of the world’s largest dinosaurs loomed dramatically over the heads of guests at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s gala, “A Night in Ancient Rome: A Timeless Affair 2006.” But that didn’t stop the 400 black tie- clad partygoers from enjoying the feast fit for an emperor — tenderloin and halibut plus chocolate fudge cake or vanilla bean gelato with port wine syrup.
After dinner — catered by Affairs to Remember — many of the guests toured the world premiere of the exhibit “Imperial Rome,” in place until Jan. 3.
Those at the party included doctors Nancy and Jeffrey Gallups, Carey Carter, Steve and Kathleen de Groot, event co-chairs Paula Dickey and sister Kim Lape, and corporate chair John R. Holder. Honorary chair Dorothy M. McClatchey was unable to attend. Next year, Jack Sawyer and Bill Torres will chair the annual fund-raiser. Nearly $360,000 was raised at the event. The funds will support special exhibitions plus family and educational programs at the museum.
‘Status Sundays’ debut
On Sunday night, Brad Senesac’s Brainstorm Design Works’ company used its impressive e-mail mailing list to invite gay professionals to the launch of Status Sundays at the InterContinental hotel in Buckhead.
Senesac told us the weekly social gathering, sponsored by Status Vodka with food by Au Pied de Cochon and spirits from XO Bar, is designed to provide a networking session for “the gays” (and yes, air quotes are apparently mandatory).
By 8:45 p.m., the non-TiVo-teched-out, however, were checking their watches. (After all, Gabby and her former hot gardener boy toy were reconnecting on Sunday night’s episode of “Desperate Housewives,” we were told.)
Lending their heterosexual support at the inaugural gathering were WXIA-TV’s Evelyn Mims and veteran city politico and columnist Tom Houck.
Sick bay
Since he always knows way more dirt than we do, we enjoy picking Houck’s brain for a scoop or two. Alas, on Sunday night, the news was not entirely good. We learned that Tony La Rocco, the man who graced the city with Fratelli Di Napoli and the Tap Room, was recently surprised with a leukemia diagnosis. Late in the last millennium, La Rocco earned our never-ending respect when he invented the perfectly chilled martini machine at the downtown Tap Room.
Naturally, Houck had La Rocco on speed dial and we were almost instantly connected with the restaurateur at his Emory University Hospital room. “Don’t listen to Houck, Rich,” he told us. “Everything’s gonna be fine.” He promised to join us for a drink at one of his fave watering holes soon.
Overscene
Atlanta Thrashers goalies Fred Brathwaite and Kari Lehtonen dining on Friday night at Morton’s Steakhouse in Buckhead. On Saturday night, Atlanta Falcons fullback Fred McCrary fueled up at the steak spot. … Rapper Bow Wow making his annual trick-or-treat trek to Netherworld Haunted House last week in Gwinnett County.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Peter Coyote is 64. Singer John Prine is 60. Actor-dancer Ben Vereen is 60. Country singer Tanya Tucker is 48. Actor Bradley Whitford (“Studio 60”) is 47. Drummer Mike Malinin of the Goo Goo Dolls is 39. Actor Mario Lopez (“Dancing With the Stars,” “Saved by the Bell”) is 33. Singer Mya is 27.
Contributing: Marylin Johnson and news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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