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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 01 > Entry
Final Four: VIPs gather for ‘Se7en’ launch
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The VIPs hanging out in the seductively lit Glenn Hotel at the “Se7en Madness” party downtown barely blinked when the big dance ended for Georgetown on the wide screen TVs on Saturday night. Of course, potent mangopolitans and rubbernecking to see potential celebs like George Clooney and Ludacris might have been contributing reasons for the wavering attention spans.
The soiree, hosted by boxer Roy Jones Jr., Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins and Playboy Playmate Joanna Krupa, served as a launch party for “Se7en” magazine, a new national men’s magazine with a regional section devoted to Atlanta.
“Atlanta is such an amazing sports city, yet we didn’t have a men’s magazine,” explained “Se7en” co-publisher Brandon Lewis. “We’re hoping to fix all that.”
Also on the guest list for the late night/early morning private party: music producer Dallas Austin, rapper/actor/author L.L. Cool J and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx. And the evening’s special musical guest: 2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Grandmaster Flash.
Official madness
Each of the Final Four teams has an official fan headquarters downtown this weekend. On Saturday, Buzz popped in for a quick survey of the digs.
At Dailey’s restaurant, UCLA fans Renee Horton, Charles Thomas Jr. and Debra and Gary Elliott had been celebrating since 10 a.m. “It might be 3 o’clock here, but it’s only noon back home in California,” Horton said. Thomas, who suffers from allergies, said the pollen here has required some adjustment.
Explained Debra Elliott: “We’re used to smog, not pollen.”
Down Andrew Young International Boulevard, the scent of baking cornbread greeted Ohio State fans at Pittypat’s Porch. John and Candy Strawser, of Dublin, Ohio, were taking a breather with a couple of 24-ounce beers.
“He’s been to the Final Four before, but here it’s definitely more spread out,” Candy said.
Down at Azio, Florida Gators fans generously endured the Final Four apparel folks, selling Ohio State sweatshirts with Gators gear.
“It’s been very organized here,” said Karen Phelps, who drove from Columbus, Ga., with fellow Florida fan Chris Wightman. Since the pair visits Atlanta frequently, they didn’t have to contend with the wrap-around lines a few blocks away at the Georgia Aquarium.
Win or lose, the two said they would attend the final Monday night.
At Max Lager’s American Grill & Brewery, Georgetown fans were the most boisterous of the bunch, chanting “Hoyas, Hoyas!” as they awaited their next rounds. “We’re from New York, so this is a bit different,” explained Colleen Crawford, who was sporting some G-town face paint. “It’s spread out here. There, it’s just bar after bar after bar.”
Overscene
Michael Jordan dining at Dolce at Atlantic Station, Patrick Ewing Sr. lunching on a Caesar salad at the Lenox Square Houston’s and ESPN commentator and former UCLA coach Steve Lavin dining at Trois in Midtown.
Jethro vs. Britney
Now that the city has hosted Super Bowls, Final Fours, All-Star games and the 1996 Summer Olympics, Atlanta has become fair game to out-of-town journalists taking pot shots at our fair metropolis. This weekend, it’s rock-writer-turned-sports-blogger Chuck Klosterman, who described Atlanta thusly on his espn.com Final Four blog before he even he hit town: “Life on the streets of Atlanta … if by ‘life,’ you mean looking for bars that are womb-like and empty. I’ll try to write more when I arrive in Hot-lanta, perhaps while watching ‘Survivor’ and consuming foodstuffs that would make Jethro Bodine ecstatic.”
So, who exactly is this guy passing judgment on us? Why not have Klosterman tell us himself. Here’s an excerpt from page 16 of his memoir, “Killing Yourself to Live”: “I have everything Britney Spears has ever released to the public.”
Feel better?
Contributing: Jill Vejnoska.
Got Final Four Buzz scoop, celebrity sightings or fan craziness to report? E-mail us at buzz@ajc.com or phone 404-526-7218.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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