DEL.ICIO.USThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/21/08
In some ways, the rite of passage doesn't change.
The primping and ringlet curls. The nerves over pinning the rose boutonniere.
 Allen Sullivan/AJC | ||
| Lassiter High School holds its prom in the Egyptian Ballroom, seen here, and the Grand Salon at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta. | ||
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The first slow dance.
But these days, one aspect of the prom is jumbo-sized.
"When I went to the prom, it was balloons in the gym and mirror balls," said Patricia Rooney, who hasn't attended prom for a couple of decades. "But today, prom is a big deal."
Try as big as the Fox Theatre, with $60-per-couple ticket prices.
Patricia's son Jacob and his date didn't dance between bleachers or wrap streamers around the basketball hoop for the "Stairway to Heaven."
They entered prom on a marble staircase.
They nibbled on chocolate-covered honeydew. They inhaled balcony views. And the two slow-danced to a theme song from "Top Gun" in the Egyptian ballroom.
The Fox, a prime spot for lavish weddings, will host 15 proms this year.
Jacob and his date, Anetta Newcamp, were awestruck by the location.
"You look up in the ballroom and you see this ornate pictorial. It was like looking at the top of a cathedral," said Anetta. "Except it was an Egyptian cathedral."
They got a kick out of the fact that Bill Cosby was performing on stage at the Fox while they celebrated their prom.
But for all the pomp and chocolate fountains, Jacob and Anetta still felt hungry after their event, so they capped off the evening at one of their more familiar hangouts — the Waffle House.
After plates of eggs and chocolate chip waffles, the evening really felt complete.
Here, we look at some prime prom spots:
Fox Theatre
• Number of proms in 2008: 15
• Themes: Night on the Nile is the most popular because it capitalizes on the Egyptian theme. A Night Among Kings and Queens is popular, too.
• What makes this place unique: The Egyptian Ballroom balcony. Red carpet entrance.
• Cost: Average cost is $11,000 for the Egyptian Ballroom, Grand Salon and Terrace.
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Fernbank Museum
• Number of proms in 2008: 6
• Themes: Night in Heaven and Night in Hollywood.
• What makes this place unique: Dancing under the dinosaurs.
• Cost: $13,000 for space, and unlimited soft drinks.
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Metropolitan Club
in Alpharetta
• Number of proms in 2008: One booked so far.
• Themes: Blue party includes raspberry (non-alcoholic) beverages, ice cubes that light up a room like lightning bugs.
• What makes this place unique: The club's simple decor of soft colors makes it easy to transform into a starry night, disco or color theme.
• Cost: Varies from small simple affairs for about $2,500 to a total blowout with 750 teens going as high as $37,500.
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Georgia Aquarium
• Number of proms in 2008: One booked, two more in negotiation.
• Themes: A night at the Atlantis.
• What makes this place unique: Ballroom faces whale sharks and beluga whales.
• Cost: $5,250 to book the space but requires a minimum $25,000 food and beverage tab.
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