Former Atlanta Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young celebrated his 80th birthday surrounded by a clutch of notable friends. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, actor Morgan Freeman and Billye Aaron, wife of Atlanta Braves hero Hank Aaron were among the guests who gathered for a recent brunch at the Millennium Gate, the classically designed museum in the Atlantic Station area. Dramatic portraits by artist Ross Rossin of Young, Freeman and Nelson Mandela provided an inspirational backdrop as Reed led a champagne toast in honor of Freeman and Young.
Justin Guarini gets his kicks
Justin Guarini is appearing in the Alliance Theatre's production of "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County" these days, and had a rare Saturday night off, to perform at the Alliance's annual "Tony Evening" benefit. The gala, held April 14 at the Loews Hotel, gave Guarini the chance to perform a medley of Broadway hits and a piece from "Ghost Brothers" while sharing some behind-the-scenes secrets from his days on the first season of "American Idol." During a live rendition of "Route 66″ with millions of viewers watching, contestant Guarini flubbed a line in which he should have sung, "Flagstaff, Arizona don't forget Winona." He inexplicably substituted "Barstow, Alabama" for the first location in that line, a town that not only does not exist but that also needed an instant companion that rhymed. "You've got two seconds to come up with something, what do you do?" Guarini mused. Fine Georgia son and consummate pro that he is, he recovered instantly by seamlessly adding "don't forget Savannah," and gave the classic tune his own spin. The "Tony Evening" was chaired by Lila Hertz and Amy Agami and honored Ingrid Saunders Jones, senior vice president of the Coca-Cola Company and chair of the Coca-Cola Foundation. "Our city holds a very special place in the theater world," Jones said.
Overscene
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart is seriously dedicated to promoting "Think Like A Man," the comedy based on comedian Steve Harvey's book in which he plays a guy on the outs with his wife. Hart strolled the red carpet before the comedy's Atlanta premiere earlier this month, disclosing that playing his lovelorn character unfortunately wasn't much of a stretch. "I've been this guy," said Hart, who is divorced. "It helped me develop a real character. People can relate to my character. I think that makes the movie so much better." The movie opened April 20, but Hart wasn't done hustling up interest, making a surprise visit to a midnight screening at Regal Atlantic Station last week. He was joined by the film's producer, Atlanta's Will Packer of Rainforest Films, as well as pals Tyrese Gibson, who was in town for his own concert at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, and actor Idris Elba, in town working on Packer's new film "No Good Deed." Hart was heartened by the capacity crowd. "The fact that this many people turned out to support our film is overwhelming," Hart told the audience. "Now, help spread the word!"
Sports figures to headline events
Georgia Tech head basketball coach Brian Gregory and his wife, Yvette, will chair the "BasketBALL," a gala benefiting the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge. The event will be held at 7 p.m. May 19 at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead. The Hope Lodge offers out-of-town cancer patients a place to stay for free while they're here receiving treatment at area hospitals. The attire is black-tie and sneakers-optional. Tickets are $250 each. See gala.acsevents.org or call 404-582-6134... Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz will be the featured guest at the Atlanta Press Club's May 21 Newsmaker Luncheon at the Commerce Club downtown. He'll sign copies of his book, "Starting and Closing," which will be available for sale. Registration and the book signing start at 11 a.m., and the program starts at 12:25 p.m. Tickets are $30 for press club members and $40 for nonmembers. See www.atlantapressclub.org or call 404-577-7377... NBA great Shaquille O'Neal teams up with the March of Dimes as celebrity spokesperson for the 2012 National March for Babies, which steps off at 9 a.m. Saturday from the Georgia World Congress Center downtown. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and Shaq will address the walkers before they set off. There's no charge to attend, but if you'd like to help raise funds or contribute to another walker's fundraising team, see marchforbabies.org.
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