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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 22
Monday, September 22, 2008
Travel Channel host hits sites across Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Buzz Central’s various vibrating handheld devices worked overtime during the weekend as Travel Channel “Passport to Great Weekends” host Samantha Brown hit town.
Buzz tipsters spotted Brown all over town and dutifully passed along the sightings.
On Saturday night, Brown and her camera crew took in the sights and sounds of Turner Field. Brown had a pitching lesson with John Smoltz and impressed all by burning a ball at 36 mph in the fan favorite “Throwing Heat” game. She also got in step with the Heavy Hitters drum corps before taking in the game in a suite with Parkview High School grad Katie Francoeur, wife of Atlanta Brave Jeff Francoeur, and other Braves spouses.
Brown and crew also were overseen shooting segments at the Georgia Aquarium, the Varsity, Underground Atlanta and Chateau Elan in Braselton. She also scored a taste and a tour of Rathbun’s in Inman Park, courtesy of owner/chef Kevin Rathbun.
Q100 FM’s shopping goddess Jessica Dauler, meanwhile, introduced Brown to the city’s many and varied retail emporiums.
“To be honest, I think Samantha and her crew were really surprised how modern and cosmopolitan a city Atlanta has become for shopping,” Dauler said Sunday. The pair roamed the racks at Lenox Square mall and Phipps Plaza, ending up with a $300,000 shopping spree at Mednikow Jewelers at Phipps Plaza.
The bling came complete with its own security guard.
“It was very ‘Men in Black,’ ” Dauler recounted laughing. “With the multiple SUVs and security, we were probably better protected than the president. It was an incredible experience.”
At Opera nightclub in Midtown, the red carpet was literally rolled out for Brown’s visit on Friday night. Inside, bottles of Veuve Clicquot bubbly were awaiting the Travel Channel traveler.
We’re told the Atlanta-centric edition of “Passport to Great Weekends” will air next spring.
DANCING FROM THE STREET WOWS
Sure, “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing With the Stars” get all the attention. But Buzz loves MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew,” which shook up the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center Saturday night.
Five of the show’s most notable groups (all of whom come from the Prince school of spelling) reprised favorite routines from the show and showcased a few new ones, too.
It was an impressive, high-energy display of street dance, choreographed acrobatics and break dancing that kept the young crowd on its feet the entire two hours.
Season 1 winners JabbaWockeeZ, in Kabuki-style masks that evoke Blue Man Group, Insane Clown Posse and “Phantom of the Opera,” embodied kinetic precision and grace. They could headline their own Vegas act now.
Season 2 winners Super Cr3w showed off hip-hop stylings with a vengeance, Break Sk8 proved that old-fashioned roller skates can actually be cool and A.S.I.I.D gave us the heartwarming story of Joey Antonio, the chipper near-deaf dancer.
But Buzz’s favorite was Fanny Pak, a Los Angeles crew who brought a wicked sense of humor, especially during a “Carrie”-like prom scene where one dancer poisons the rest.
Georgia got plenty of musical love during the show. The groups danced to Ne-Yo, Akon and James Brown, and got the entire audience to do the Soulja Boy dance. They also did a lovely tribute to part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson and her bro, Michael. The finale featured a frenetic dance-off with 30 dancers wowing the crowd on a relatively cramped stage.
KICKS TIX
Monday at 10 a.m., tickets for the Kicks Country Jam featuring Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, Eric Church and Heidi Newfield go on sale. The show is Nov. 1 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park.
Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre box office or charged by phone at 404-249-6400.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer David Coverdale (Whitesnake, Deep Purple) is 57. Singer Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde is 51. Singer Joan Jett is 50. Opera singer Andrea Bocelli is 50. Actor Scott Baio is 47. Actor Tom Felton (“Harry Potter” films) is 21.
OVERSCENE
Actors Greg Kinnear (star of the new film “Flash of Genius”) and Dennis Quaid (star of the upcoming “The Express”) hanging out at the bar at Bluepointe in Buckhead before dinner at Dantanna’s. Both actors were busy around town, promoting their new fall theatrical releases.
Contributing: Sonia Murray, Rodney Ho and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
